Originally Posted by
PTravel
I've got a home-built desktop computer with a P4 2.8 GHz CPU in it. I've found that, when I ask it to do anything the least bit processor-intensive, it will eventually freeze and will not re-boot until it cools off. I assume the problem is that the CPU is in a heat-fail mode. I'm in the process of assembling a new Quad core machine, but I priced P4 CPUs and found I could get a 3.4 GHz for $125 from buy.com. This would make for a speedy machine for some of my non-video applications, including musical scoring, etc. A couple of questions:
1. Does my diagnosis sound correct?
2. Do all P4s use the same socket configuration?
3. Does $125 sound good for a 3.4 GHz P4?
Thanks!
Originally Posted by
PTravel
It's been over-clocked in the past, but not now. The fans are all working, and I've tried running it with the side panel off (I'm trying to pull data off the drives). I've ordered some thermal grease with the components for Quadcore machine, so I can trying cleaning the P4 and reattaching the heat sink/fan.
Your diagnosis is almost correct of not 100% correct. I had a CPU acting up. The fan had been noisy. Upon opening the case, I found lot of dust on the fan, and the heat sing. Clean of all the dust. In my case, installing a new, over capacity heat sink, with thermal grease, of course, and new fan fixed the problem. Never had a problem with it for the next 7 years when the computer was stolen after Katrina. Keeping the anel of can help too in the interim. Extra air circulation could help too.