CPU fan

2007-10-19, 10:25

Sorry for asking a newbie question, but everytime I run a primality test, my CPU cooling fan begins running at high speed. Is this normal? What do I do about it? I have a 3.00 GHz Pentium 4 with 504 MB of RAM, of which I'm using the minimum 8 MB.

JurgenG · 2007-10-19, 11:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcs

Sorry for asking a newbie question, but everytime I run a primality test, my CPU cooling fan begins running at high speed. Is this normal? What do I do about it? I have a 3.00 GHz Pentium 4 with 504 MB of RAM, of which I'm using the minimum 8 MB.

Yes it is normal, if you run your CPU at 100% it generates a lot more heat than when you let it idle. Don't worry about it, if your PC is well conceived it shouldn't have any problems running at 100%

I have 9 PC's (at home and in my company) running Prime95 at 100% for the moment. Only on 1 of them I have to throttle down during working hours because the fan in the (new) power supply is too noisy.

Mr. P-1 · 2007-10-19, 12:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcs

Sorry for asking a newbie question, but everytime I run a primality test, my CPU cooling fan begins running at high speed. Is this normal? What do I do about it? I have a 3.00 GHz Pentium 4 with 504 MB of RAM, of which I'm using the minimum 8 MB.

It's not abnormal. The code is highly optimised so as to keep every part of the processor active as much as possible. As a result, power consumption, hence heat production is greatly increased, which your fan then responds to. Whether that results in the fan "running at high speed" depends upon a number of variables, including the type and speed of processor, the efficiency of the HSF, and the ambient temperature.

Edited to add: Several different processor cores were used in Pentium 4s, with differing thermal characteristics. Those based on the Prescott core in particular are notoriously hot running.

2007-10-20, 22:27

So I shouldn't be concerned about Prime95 causing the system to overheat?

SORIANO · 2007-10-26, 03:03

No you should have no reason to be concerned. It will just run the fan at full speed at all times. If the noise annoys you you can throttle down the processor so it only does a part of the problem ever second or 3rd processor cycle. But thats personal preference. I personally have a "Loud Room" as I like to call it. Hehe.

cheesehead · 2007-10-26, 07:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcs

So I shouldn't be concerned about Prime95 causing the system to overheat?

If your system overheats while running Prime95 and you've taken all reasonable steps recommended by your owner's manual to get adequate air flow and kept your system cleaned of dust, then your system has inadequate cooling, and you should make a warranty claim to get that flaw corrected in order to protect your CPU's longevity. Nothing Prime95 does is out-of-spec or otherwise prohibited by any legitimate CPU manufacturer.

Cruelty · 2007-10-26, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcs

So I shouldn't be concerned about Prime95 causing the system to overheat?

Running Prime95 will cause your system to generate more heat than running only some office software on it. However overheating (meaning that system crashes because of heat) should not occur, and if it does you should follow cheesehead's suggestion

ewmayer · 2007-11-01, 16:27

Speaking strictly for myself, I am quite a big fan of CPUs, especially the really fast ones.

xilman · 2007-11-03, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewmayer

Speaking strictly for myself, I am quite a big fan of CPUs, especially the really fast ones.

My 1.3GHz Athlon, a fast machine in its day, has recently been producing grinding noises from its cpu fan.

I just hit it with a fan club until it settles down and works normally.

Paul

michaf · 2007-11-04, 17:42

Actually, I find it more annoying that the fan didn't make any noise at all. Which I have had once for my CPU, and once for my power supply.

Both of which result in the coming to a halt of a system under a load.

CSea · 2007-12-13, 08:07

usually 3500r/min, if it isn't running noisily,just let it out of your mind

2007-10-19, 10:25	#1
rcs 3²·5·89 Posts	CPU fan Sorry for asking a newbie question, but everytime I run a primality test, my CPU cooling fan begins running at high speed. Is this normal? What do I do about it? I have a 3.00 GHz Pentium 4 with 504 MB of RAM, of which I'm using the minimum 8 MB.

2007-11-04, 17:42	#10
michaf Jan 2005 111011111₂ Posts	Actually, I find it more annoying that the fan didn't make any noise at all. Which I have had once for my CPU, and once for my power supply. Both of which result in the coming to a halt of a system under a load. Last fiddled with by michaf on 2007-11-04 at 17:42 Reason: spelling

2007-10-20, 22:27	#4
rcs 2×13×373 Posts	So I shouldn't be concerned about Prime95 causing the system to overheat?

2007-10-26, 03:03	#5
SORIANO Aug 2006 2³ Posts	No you should have no reason to be concerned. It will just run the fan at full speed at all times. If the noise annoys you you can throttle down the processor so it only does a part of the problem ever second or 3rd processor cycle. But thats personal preference. I personally have a "Loud Room" as I like to call it. Hehe.

2007-11-01, 16:27	#8
ewmayer ∂²ω=0 Sep 2002 República de California 19·613 Posts	Speaking strictly for myself, I am quite a big fan of CPUs, especially the really fast ones.

2007-12-13, 08:07	#11
CSea Dec 2007 Vancouver 2 Posts	usually 3500r/min, if it isn't running noisily,just let it out of your mind