A31p CPU upgrade / Can't monitor its temperature

[ulrich.von.lich]

I installed NHC 2.0 but I was unable to see the CPU temperature. (neither for GPU, MiniPCI etc, the HDD temperature was the only one that showed up)

I'm using Windows 2000 SP4 and my A31p is a 2653-H4G.

Actually I'm thinking of replacing the P4M 1.7Ghz CPU with a faster one. Possibly a 2.4 or 2.5Ghz (I was told the 2.6Ghz is too hot), but I've no idea how hot they would be. I've read some threads here, someone seemed to get his A31p fried using the 2.4Ghz CPU and others could use the 2.5 or 2.6Ghz one without problems. Can someone please let me know if the A31p can run stably (24 hr non stop eg) with a 2.4Ghz or 2.5Ghz CPU?

[ajkula66]

Anything above 2.0 is overkill on A31p that is to be used 24/7/365.

Max out the performance with RAM and HDD...

You'll have more toys to monitor and control temperature in XP or Linux, at least to my knowledge. I'm not really a W2K guy...

I'm sure you'll get better advice on monitoring temperatures, but this is right of the top off my head...

Good luck.

[zone]

For past two years since I did upgrade I don't recall any issues. System runs bit hotter, up to 88C on full load on 2,5GHz (as reported by Mobile Meter), otherwise most of the time system runs on 1,2GHz and CPU temperature is in 50C range. Im running W2k sp4 with Intel SpeedStep applet, XP has CPU speed control in the system.

Note that there are two versions of CPU fan for A31p, one is for slower models and another one for 2,0GHz systems. Mine was originally 1,8GHz and it seems that comes with more powerful fan according model number in A31p manual.

Two years ago I got it on ebay.de for 103EUR + shipping, may say well spend money.

Also I used Artic Silver 5 compound on 2,5GHz CPU core.

hope it helps

[proaudioguy]

I'm using a 2.2GHz with Arctic Silver and the original FAN. I run 43-44C using Mobmeter. Under heavy load it gets up close to 60C at times, but quickly cools off. This is under High System Performance under battery maximizer.

There was a different fan part number for the machines that came with 2GHz and maybe 1.8GHz. I think if I was using a 2.4-2.6 I would buy THAT fan, and also you have to use the arctic silver.

I think anyone idling over 55C definitely has a contact issue between the heat sink and the CPU. My 1.6GHz ran hotter before the arctic silver. There is also a specific order to tighten the heat sink screws and a specific torque that is supposed to be used.

[ulrich.von.lich]

Hi everyone,

I just replaced the 1.7Ghz CPU with a 2.0Ghz one, using the original fan with Arctic Silver 5. The new CPU runs noticeably hotter. (55C idle, 83C full loaded)

Proaudioguy, I wish I could have temperatures like yours.. Are you sure you are using the smaller fan? Are there any tips of applying AS5 that you could share?

I wanted to detach the fan to clean it but I couldn't. The cable wouldn't come off from the connector. Is there any mechanism to do it? Maybe it's because I have big fingers..

[proaudioguy]

Hi everyone,

I just replaced the 1.7Ghz CPU with a 2.0Ghz one, using the original fan with Arctic Silver 5. The new CPU runs noticeably hotter. (55C idle, 83C full loaded)

Proaudioguy, I wish I could have temperatures like yours.. Are you sure you are using the smaller fan? Are there any tips of applying AS5 that you could share?

I wanted to detach the fan to clean it but I couldn't. The cable wouldn't come off from the connector. Is there any mechanism to do it? Maybe it's because I have big fingers..

The fan is the older fan.
I pull the cable straight up.

I put the Arctic Silver on the CPU directly. Look at the HMM to see the order and torque specs.

[ajkula66]

Change the fan YESTERDAY....

[proaudioguy]

Change the fan YESTERDAY....

Good point, could be a bad fan.

[ulrich.von.lich]

How can I tell if the fan has gone bad or not? It's still working and doesn't make any weird noises like the fan in my T43 did before dying.

Could it be the improper use of Arctic Silver? It was my first time applying thermal grease. I put a very thin layer on the CPU and nothing on the heatsink. Should I put some on it too next time?

If I change the fan, I'll have to ask someone with small fingers to pull off the cable for me.

[ajkula66]

You're better off changing the fan to the more powerful one anyway...had IBM thought that 2.0 machines should have come with the small one, trust me, they would've gone that way....but they haven't...

Even if you haven't applied AS correctly, you shouldn't be getting the temperatures you are...

[proaudioguy]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=005

I've been watching that one for months since I put the 2.2GHz in. Meanwhile I seem to have no need for it since mine runs so cool. Now that I've got the power scheme on Thinkpad Default (no idea how I got on that power scheme since it's not a choice), it's speed stepping (maybe the new system board has something to do with it). When it drops to 1.20GHz for a few minutes it runs at 39C. It seems to only rarely pop up to 2.2GHz now that my wife has taken the machine over.
Incidentally the only thing original at this point is the LCD screen. It's running great with 16MB VRAM. I doubt I'd be able to play GTA San Andreas anymore though.

Now I'm looking for another system board to make use of all the parts I have to build another A31 for my 7 year old. Anyone have a good system board without any other parts? I'll trade a working T20 (900MHz) for a good "not broken" A31 system board.