Periodically monitor my system temperatures and the last few months I've noticed a dramatic increase in CPU temperature at peak loads. Used to be, my system never ran hotter than 79C, even at 100% 3.0 GHz operation. Which is pretty freakin' hot, but this chipset always had a bit of a temperature problem.

These days, I'm hitting those levels about a quarter load. A 66% CPU usage just a couple of weeks ago was netting me about 84C... the other night I was compiling a DVD and it was well over 90C.

System has been a bit flaky the last six months or so, but that might have to do with a 2 year old install of Windows XP than anything else. I get the random reboot (tends to happen three or four times over the course of a few days, then is good for two or three weeks), and I have to use restore points a fair bit (which I assume is XP fucking with me). Doesn't seem to happen because of heat though... usually just random usage that has it up around 65C. A bit higher than it used to run at that usage, but within the range I usually experience under light computer use... we surfing, downloading torrets and the like.

Anywho, trying to figure out what the problem could be. Figure I need to check for dust buildup around the chip. But also thinking about getting a better CPU fan and am completely fucking clueless about it.

It's an old Socket 478 3.0 GHz Intel chip... not the Extreme version... the one they released right before that. Any advice from the more technologically advanced.

A simple visual inspection of the CPU housing seems to indicate some dust build-up in the heat sink... can't tell how bad, because I didn't feel like pulling the whole computer out and disassembling the fan unit. Probably need to get some canned air and give it a good cleaning.

Thinking it might also be the Intel thermal-gel degrading. Probably need to take the whole thing out and put in a proper cooling system, instead of the one the chip shipped with.

At 3.0 GHz,you should have about 2 fans(not counting the processor one or graphic card one)The canned air is a good idea,also make sure the cables aren't obstructing air flow.Since 2 years is a long time,you should do a fresh install of XP anyways.Even though I own a legal copy that came with my computer, I prefer to use those slipstreamed editions that you find on the net.The ones that come with added programs.You should also check your motherboard's website,to see if there is a bios update available for your computer.
You can also try the Knoppix cd disc, to see if your computer hardware is fine.(either run it from cd,or use the option to load it into the memory(if you have over 700 megs)

Porn will do that to your computer as well.

Hmm.He did start the "Dirty Sanchez (aka Saved By The Smell)" and "Goatse" threads.

I know you can buy different skins for your CPU. They look pretty cool.

But I AM gay, so don't take that as a ringing endorsement.

That only applies to movies in which the selling point is women.

Turns out it was dust build-up in the heat sink. Blew that baby out and now my system is running a good 20C cooler. Currently running a couple of torture tests to see what it maxes out at... first test got it up to 55C with a 66% CPU usage.