Computer age.. is it time to get a new One ???
By xsquid
@xsquid (111)
Indonesia
July 23, 2008 11:28am CST
The computer I'm using now is about 3 years old, the spec is Intel Pentium 4, 3.00 Ghz with memory 1 GB running on windows XP, sound card and video card on board.... but I forgot the type of my main board. The problem is now I find every time if I used the computer over 2 hours then I can feel the heat coming out from my CPU, it is very hot. And also it become noisy, comparing to the first time I buy it. But beside the heat and the noise this computer seldom had problem.
Now, if you have a 3 years old computer do you think it is the time to change to a new one? How old is your computer now?
Does it better to change to notebook?
2 people like this
6 responses
@deskue (35)
• United States
23 Jul 08
A little heat output is normal for any computer. The noise is obviously the fan or fans which is what you need to look at. There are several fans to a computer. The CPU or micropressor most of the time has a fan (not all models some just have a huge heat sink with lots of metal type fins for cooling), the power supply has a fan or 2, this is what your power cord plugs into the back, and some computers have 1 or more fans on the case. I would suggest turning on the computer and when it starts to get noisy, pull off one of the sides and see which fan is making noise. Sometimes you can literally twist the case and the noise will temporarily stop, which indicates that one of the fans are sort of in a bind and making noise. You may just have to replace the fan itself. Any computer store should have one. They either snap in or screw in and usually have one set of wires to plug either into the board or power supply. Sometimes you can even pull back the sticker on the back of the fans axel and drop a couple drops of silicon lube and get a few more mile out of it.
As far as the heat goes, from the above check to see that all of the fans are acutally spinning. If not replace immmediately. Most boards bios system have a heat sensor alarm that will go off if the chip overheats. You may want to buy some cpu grease and re-seal the cpu fan to the chip. Be carefull not to pull the chip out. You may want to have a professional do this for you. Hopefully this helps, I have been working on computers for over 20years.
@deskue (35)
• United States
24 Jul 08
The cpu grease is usually a dark grey or sometimes tan colored silicon compount. Sometimes it is sold in a little package the you can tear open and apply directly to the fan. Sometimes it comes in a syringe looking container which makes it really easy to apply.
The systems bios is basically a program interface that is written on the board's chip itself. The way to get into it varies from computer to computer. On most Dells you must press the F2 button in the beginning of startup during the Dell splash screen. Most other boards require either pressing the Del key or Tab or someother key. When you startup the computer watch the screen very carefully because you only have a few seconds to respond. Once in the bios be very carefull not to change anything else but look for something to the effect of PC Health or something similar to this. You can turn the alarm on or off and some will allow you to change the settings for the temperature.
Good luck.
@xsquid (111)
• Indonesia
24 Jul 08
Wow you are really a professional on computer, thanks for the response. But regarding buying cpu grease(what's that?) seems I have to really consult prof for this one. By the way, you said boards bios have a heat sensor alarm? how to activate those alarm??
coz I think my cpu is really heat but never heard an alarm go off from my computer...
@Wickedself (720)
•
23 Jul 08
If you are using your computer just for internet and music and stuff, the this much is just perfect. But if you do graphic designing or 3d animation and stuff then you should get a new one.
@Wickedself (720)
•
23 Jul 08
Hmm, the best time to change/upgrade your computer is approx 5 years. But if you are facing problems then I suggest you upgrade it right now. I think that the noise problems you are facing is because your system is not clean from the inside. If you can then try to clean it yourself, otherise you better take it to a hardware technician.
@CharRay7 (1549)
• United States
24 Jul 08
Hi 
I have a computer that is about 2 years old. It started getting real noisy and hot and I took it to my computer guy. He opened it up and cleaned it inside and out. He said it was nasty. Well with 2 smokers in the house and 5 dogs, it doesn't surprise me. After I got it back, it runs like new, no noise.
You might just to have the CPU cleaned. It would be a lot cheaper than buying a new one.
Happy MyLotting,
Char
I have a computer that is about 2 years old. It started getting real noisy and hot and I took it to my computer guy. He opened it up and cleaned it inside and out. He said it was nasty. Well with 2 smokers in the house and 5 dogs, it doesn't surprise me. After I got it back, it runs like new, no noise.
You might just to have the CPU cleaned. It would be a lot cheaper than buying a new one.
Happy MyLotting,
Char
@mughaman (1)
•
24 Jul 08
it's time to get a new one every day, every week, every month because everybody knows that it industry is on high peak technology is developing every day, so keep in mind you will never updated everyday because u are helpless until you are not in industry
