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CPU temperature

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How does one check the CPU temperature?
Yesterday my PC decided to start shutting down of it's own accord. Well not shutting down in the real sense of the phrase, more like just turning off, as if someone had killed the power. I had a fidget inside to see if any cables or cards were loose, and noticed that my PC was pretty warm to say the least. I checked in BIOS and the CPU temperature kept creeping on up. I got bored of watching after it hit 66 degrees C.
In the BIOS, there is a facility to shutdown after a designated temperature is reached. SO i have upped it from 60 degrees C, to 65 degrees C.
What I wanted to know is, how do check the CPU temperature via Windows? Because I want toknow the true running temperature of my machine, not just the temperature of it when in BIOS mode.
Also, I would like to know, how far I can up the cut off temperature safely. What's the max that I could safely get away with?

PS I am running Windows 2000.

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If you have a motherboard with sensors and the right software utility, it's easy.

If your machine keeps switching off, add the power supply to your list of suspects.


Edit: I presume you've checked the fans 🙄

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Originally posted by Bowmann
If you have a motherboard with sensors and the right software utility, it's easy.

If your machine keeps switching off, add the power supply to your list of suspects.


Edit: I presume you've checked the fans 🙄
Yes I've checked the fans. A bit fluffy so I have cleaned them. The CPU fan is doing 5000rpm according to the BIOS. No bump and grind either. Strangely enough though, the problem has decided to desist today. 😕

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Originally posted by jimslyp69
What I wanted to know is, how do check the CPU temperature via Windows?
Use the thermometer orally, not anally - it is easier to clean. Reach in through the window and ask your CPU to say "Ahhh." Place under the tongue until you hear the beep.

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Crack an egg on top off the case. When it starts to cook, it's time to power down!

Seriously though, 66oc does seem a little hot. I think my Athlon runs at about 55.

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Originally posted by jimslyp69
Yes I've checked the fans. A bit fluffy so I have cleaned them. The CPU fan is doing 5000rpm according to the BIOS. No bump and grind either. Strangely enough though, the problem has decided to desist today. 😕
If your CPU fan failed you have around 90 seconds before the processor melts, so I doubt that's your problem.

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Originally posted by Jack Gable
Crack an egg on top off the case. When it starts to cook, it's time to power down!

Seriously though, 66oc does seem a little hot. I think my Athlon runs at about 55.
I might even try some bacon if it gets really bad. Yup, I'm on an Athlon. 1400. It used to run about the same as yours. Maybe it's the weather we're having, or maybe somethings on it's way out. I'll keep a close eye on it. If I can find some tool to monitor it. 🙂

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Originally posted by Jack Gable
If your CPU fan failed you have around 90 seconds before the processor melts, so I doubt that's your problem.
More like 5 seconds. I was talking about slight malfunction, rather than complete failure, though.

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Originally posted by Jack Gable
If your CPU fan failed you have around 90 seconds before the processor melts, so I doubt that's your problem.
Rubbish.

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Originally posted by jimslyp69
Yes I've checked the fans. A bit fluffy so I have cleaned them. The CPU fan is doing 5000rpm according to the BIOS. No bump and grind either.
Then the likeliest source of the problem is your power supply.

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Originally posted by Bowmann
Then the likeliest source of the problem is your power supply.
I still think it might be the CPU. The problem started again when I rebooted after a motherboard monitor program install. I checked the BIOS and it is now running at ~70 C. So I've upped the auto shutdown in the BIOS to 75 C and it is running fine albeit the over heating problem. Perhaps pouring copious amounts of cold water over it might sort the problem out. 😉

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Originally posted by jimslyp69
Yes I've checked the fans. A bit fluffy so I have cleaned them. The CPU fan is doing 5000rpm according to the BIOS. No bump and grind either. Strangely enough though, the problem has decided to desist today. 😕
Then I would imagine that dust might have been your problem. Probbably on the verge of starting a fire. And I would also imagine too that it was slowing your fans down. Keep your internal CPU clean. Blow it out often.

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My fans are going like a bitch at the moment in this heat!! 😲

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Originally posted by expressiveoutburst
My fans are going like a bitch at the moment in this heat!! 😲
You could always surround your CPU with ice packs. Bzzzzzzzzzzzz. 😵

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Originally posted by cashthetrash
You could always surround your CPU with ice packs. Bzzzzzzzzzzzz. 😵
Or even better, cold beer, Mmmmmmm.