CPU overheats way beyond limit

CPU overheats way beyond limit

Hi Samad,

To answer your queries, we have to make two approaches. First off is identifying which is overheating, is it really the CPU or the graphic GPU?. Then we determine if it’s a hardware problem. If it checks out fine then we will need to find out what software process is causing high CPU/GPU usage.

1. Finding out if it’s a hardware issue

It’s quite easy to check and verify if it’s a CPU overheat or a graphics card overheat. If you are using a desktop computer, simply unscrew the side of your CPU casing where the motherboard faces you. A laptop computer on the other hand, may require you to unscrew the bottom plate under the keyboard. If you are unsure on how to proceed with this, then just feel the ventilation ports on the sides. Hot air should be blowing out of it by now.

Try touching the CPU heatsink on its side (it’s a big aluminum plate with a fan on top of it). A very hot CPU will feel really hot to touch. Then proceed to do the same on your graphic chipset which may be mounted as a card inserted in your motherboard slot. It has a mini fan not as big as what CPU has, but anything that has a fan on it means it needs cooling. Some techs use digital thermometers to actually display the physical temperature readings although simply touching it works in many cases.

Overheating CPU and graphics GPU always crash games that are process intensive. In most of the other cases though it simply hangs/freezes the operating system (Windows) itself.

After you’ve identified which component is abnormally overheating, let’s find out if the temperature could be lowered by looking at the software side of the problem.

2. Pinpointing software as the likely culprit

Knowing fully well now which component is overheating, let’s see if any software or process is causing the hardware problem.

Run task manager by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL

The task manager contains valuable information as to what is causing high CPU usage, hence directly contributing to increase in temperature. Pay close attention to the processes and performance tabs. The processes tab contains information as to which application or process is using high CPU usage in percentage form. The performance tab gives you a visual indication on how the CPU spikes at certain points. An overheated CPU may cause a full 90-100% reading on your graph.

Look for the process hogging up the greatest CPU percentage and end it. Now check if the temperature of your CPU has decreased. Do the hardware visual identification as well. If it cools down a bit, then you found your culprit. Reducing the number of open or running applications also contributes to less activity and less CPU heat in return. If you intend to do gaming, make sure all other applications (browsers, office documents, media players) are not running. Some motherboard chipsets are less tolerant of multiple apps running and tend to cause the CPU to heat up.

The resource monitor (click on the performance tab – for Vista and Win7) gives you further details on Disk, CPU, Memory, and Network activity as well. A virus or malware infection could be identified on the resource monitor, especially when it shows an unknown process taking up CPU cycles, and high network usage. Try ending that unknown process and check the temps. If the process keeps on popping up even when you end it, chances are it may be viral. Run the program below (Process Explorer).

For Windows XP or Windows 7 Vista users unable to run task manager, there is an app called the "Process Explorer" which allows viewing of unknown processes that may be viral in nature.

3. Concluding whether it’s a hardware or a software issue

Now that you’ve done both steps, by this time you should have a clue as to what is causing the overheat. For example, if you see nothing wrong with your processes, CPU cycles are normal, then it’s time to conclude that the CPU or graphic card may need replacement, depending on which you found hot (based on step 1). If you found out that the temps decreased when you stopped or halted some processes using up CPU cycles, then follow step 2 recommendations to either reduce the number of running programs or if a virus is found, take steps to remove the infection to restore the operating system to its normal state.

I hope that I’ve given you enough insight on the matter.