2.4ghz Celeron reporting a temp of 70C under stress?

[ToxicBug]

My dad's friend brought in this computer, he said that it freezes... well no shit, I've checked the temp, it says that it runs at 63C idle and 70C+ stress. The motherboard seems to be fine, no leaking capacitors. I think the temperature reading is more or less correct. What can be done then? Reseat the heatsink? There isn't that much dust inside.

[Foo]

Exactly as you said, with a generous amount of thermal compound and a general tidyup inside the case, ensuring air can circulate and the case itself is unobstructed around the vents.

[AmIdYfReAk]

By Generous amount, you mean a small amount, you only need a skin coat on the hsf and 1/2 a Rice's grain on the CPU and spread it around.

[Foo]

I'm still getting better results with a splaff of the stuff in the centre and let it do its own spreading.

[obsidian]

Nah, too much thermal is just as bad as none.

Also, organize the cables a bit helps improve airflow. Compressed air will do wonders.

[AmIdYfReAk]

I'm still getting better results with a splaff of the stuff in the centre and let it do its own spreading.

i do that also time to time to tell you the truth...

its only comps that i am going to clock to no end that i will take the time and spread it and take about 15 mins to mount the HSF...

the last one that i did like that was the Cell 2.66, and i get her up to 4.0ghz.

anyway, toxic, follow everything posted here, but one more thing that i could add..

Clean the HSF and the Core of the CPU with a lint-free cloth and some Nail polish remover. then apply the thermal paste and mount the hsf.

[ToxicBug]

Yea, already reseated the hsf. The old compound was nasty, it was dry and flaky. Removed it with a toothpick and isopropyl alcohol, applied some new one and spread a thin layer nicely over the core. Result: 51C at full stress now