Underclocking

[Dragon Tamer]

The CPU in my computer died, I replaced it but the newer one runs at a higher clock speed than the old one. This has led to the CPU fan running at almost full speed all the time. It hasn't overheated yet, but it is quite annoying to listen to. I would like to under clock it back to the same speed as the original processor so that it doesn't sound like I have a hair dryer running in my room all the time.

I have two problems though.

1.) The option to change the clock frequency is not located in the BIOS, I checked... twice. It will give a readout of my speed but won't let me change the speed.

2.) I think I found an update to for my BIOS but before I go ahead and flash it, I want to make sure that it will still work. The original OS was XP but since it's dead I'm upgrading to Widows 7. Right now though I'm running Windows 10 until I can get Windows 7.

This is the link that I followed to find the BIOS update. http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-Pavilion-a1000-Desktop-PC-series/3339280/model/3354744

And please do not tell me to just upgrade the cooling system, it's not an option. Seriously, it's not. I have no money to put into coolant upgrades.

[DREDIOCK]

I'd get a better CPU fan before I lowered the clock speed. Especially if you use it for gaming

[guncrasher]

did your new cpu come in with a new fan?  to be honest if it bothers you that much then leave the side door open it will help cool down your cpu.

btw just to make sure, do you have the cpu fan plug into the right controler?  if everything looks cool then either put up with it for a month or 2 till you save money or pull up the volume on your game.



semp

[Bizman]

There should not be much difference in CPU temperatures, the original was clocking 2.8 MHz anyway. Did you clean the old paste away and add new? And if you did, did you add it little enough? The right amount would be something between a rice grain and a corn grain (unpopped).

If you're using the original Intel cooler it should be up to the task, but it's very easy to install it somewhat slanted. The plastic tabs can easily bend, leading to an unstable mounting. You shouldn't be able to shake the cooler if it's correctly seated. The most fool proof way to ensure the plastic pins are properly seated is to unmount the entire motherboard to see that the pins really come through. A screw mounted cooler would be easier to install but the plastic pins can be secured, too.

Many builder shops have unused Intel coolers left from builds that were equipped with more efficient aftermarket coolers. You might be able to get one for a couple of bucks, preferably one with a copper bottom originating from the fastest Socket 775 processors.

[glzsqd]

also,
In the future, don't buy HP. They die just after their warranty expires like its their job.

[38ruk]

Usually with Hp or any other brand name pc , the options for over or under clocking are not available to you as a customer because they dont want you to have control over it.   I would double check that the old thermal paste or pad was completely removed and that the new was applied the right way .

[guncrasher]

well didnt read about the hp thing.  you wont be able to upgrade the coolant, you can replace it and that is just about it.  so basically put up with it, save your money and in a year or 2 build your own..


semp

[38ruk]

In the user notes of the updated bios it reads ....

Fix and enhancements

Adjusts CPU temperature settings for certain Intel processors.

Might as well give it a shot. What cpu did you put in ?

[Dragon Tamer]

In the user notes of the updated bios it reads ....

Fix and enhancements

Adjusts CPU temperature settings for certain Intel processors.

Might as well give it a shot. What cpu did you put in ?

A newer version of the one that was in it, it's a Pentium D. I couldn't read the part number off of the old processor so I couldn't look it up but I know this new one is a 64 bit instead of a 32 bit and it runs at 3.4GHz instead of 3Ghz.

[eagl]

That sounds like a completely different processor class so you probably really do need that bios update.

Also, consider removing the heatsink and mounting it again.  You might have done it wrong.  Google removing and replacing cpu heatsinks and how to apply thermal paste.

Short version for the google challenged or short attention span:

Remove heatsink
Clean both heatsink base and cpu top very well.  The overclockers tell you to use a variety of exotic fluids and cleaners and all that, but I have had good luck with plain old rubbing alcohol and Kleenex, followed by a wipe with a lint-free cloth
If there is an old thermal pad stuck on there, you can very carefully scrape it off with a razor blade or other scraper, but be careful not to gouge the heatsink surface since it is probably aluminum or copper and therefore very soft.  A hard plastic scraper might be best if you have one, followed by whatever you use to clean it (rubbing alcohol, whatever)
Apply a blob of thermal paste about the size of a small pea (or a large grain of rice) to the top of the cpu
Put the heatsink back on, trying to make sure the heatsink goes on straight and doesn't twist or slide around as you get it tightened down

When the heatsink it on tight it should be on there pretty tightly and be very hard to twist it or move it around on the cpu.  Some people will rotate it just a bit left and right (not bending it, just twisting it so it rotates flat on the top of the cpu) to try to spread out the paste better, but most "pro" tech folks will say that actually makes it worse.  As the thermal paste heats up during use it should flow out and spread itself out better anyhow so just put the blob on the cpu, put the heatsink down on it flat to smush the blob of paste, tighten it down, and forget about it unless you still have an overheating problem.

If you don't have money to buy thermal paste and you're just putting a bare heatsink back on the cpu with no thermal transfer material (or the original stuff just caked on there still), then you will continue to have overheating problems no matter what you do.  The old thermal pad is not sufficient no matter how good it still looks.

[Dragon Tamer]

That sounds like a completely different processor class so you probably really do need that bios update.

Also, consider removing the heatsink and mounting it again.  You might have done it wrong.  Google removing and replacing cpu heatsinks and how to apply thermal paste.

Short version for the google challenged or short attention span:

Remove heatsink
Clean both heatsink base and cpu top very well.  The overclockers tell you to use a variety of exotic fluids and cleaners and all that, but I have had good luck with plain old rubbing alcohol and Kleenex, followed by a wipe with a lint-free cloth
If there is an old thermal pad stuck on there, you can very carefully scrape it off with a razor blade or other scraper, but be careful not to gouge the heatsink surface since it is probably aluminum or copper and therefore very soft.  A hard plastic scraper might be best if you have one, followed by whatever you use to clean it (rubbing alcohol, whatever)
Apply a blob of thermal paste about the size of a small pea (or a large grain of rice) to the top of the cpu
Put the heatsink back on, trying to make sure the heatsink goes on straight and doesn't twist or slide around as you get it tightened down

When the heatsink it on tight it should be on there pretty tightly and be very hard to twist it or move it around on the cpu.  Some people will rotate it just a bit left and right (not bending it, just twisting it so it rotates flat on the top of the cpu) to try to spread out the paste better, but most "pro" tech folks will say that actually makes it worse.  As the thermal paste heats up during use it should flow out and spread itself out better anyhow so just put the blob on the cpu, put the heatsink down on it flat to smush the blob of paste, tighten it down, and forget about it unless you still have an overheating problem.

If you don't have money to buy thermal paste and you're just putting a bare heatsink back on the cpu with no thermal transfer material (or the original stuff just caked on there still), then you will continue to have overheating problems no matter what you do.  The old thermal pad is not sufficient no matter how good it still looks.

I did buy some new thermal paste to put between the processor and heat sink. I didn't do a stellar job of removing the old stuff though so I spent about an hour yesterday redoing the whole thing and making sure that the processor and heat sink were both as clean as I could get them. This has helped a little bit. It doesn't overheat in ten minutes like it was before. I was running it for several hours yesterday before it started to overheat.

I also think that a new case fan might help. Adding a new one that can move more air should help since the computer is in a corner and doesn't seem to get a lot of airflow around it. It does seem to do better when I have my windows open and a nice breeze is blowing through.

[ColTomb]

Dragon Tamer, Wash the heat sink and fan in hot soapy water. Use a hair dryer or just let it air dry. You would be amazed all the dirt those fins collect.

If it is that old, PM me your address and I will send you a 775 heat sink and fan, no charge.

Make sure the plastic push pins are undamaged and seated properly to the board.

[Dragon Tamer]

Dragon Tamer, Wash the heat sink and fan in hot soapy water. Use a hair dryer or just let it air dry. You would be amazed all the dirt those fins collect.

If it is that old, PM me your address and I will send you a 775 heat sink and fan, no charge.

Make sure the plastic push pins are undamaged and seated properly to the board.

I've just spent the last of the money from my Amazon gift card to buy a new cooling system. I'll see if it makes any difference. I'll also try cleaning out the fan and heat sink really thoroughly, though it shouldn't be too bad since it was cleaned a couple of months ago. If none of that works I will let you know.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Dragon Tamer, Wash the heat sink and fan in hot soapy water. Use a hair dryer or just let it air dry. You would be amazed all the dirt those fins collect.

If it is that old, PM me your address and I will send you a 775 heat sink and fan, no charge.

Make sure the plastic push pins are undamaged and seated properly to the board.

You should never put water to the fan.