CPU fan broke... 2 months ago

[Dominus Atheos]

I upgraded my CPU to an E6300 about 2 months ago and installed the stock cooler. I set the bios to turn off at 60 degrees Celsius and to warn me if the cpu fan failed. I noticed several times that some programs reported a cpu temp of 98 C and a system temp of 50-55C. I thought it was just a bug since the computer worked just fine even during encoding x264 video and heavy gaming and didn't worry about it. (it also turned off when the sys temp reached 60c) Today I noticed it again and decided to check the cpu fan RPMs; that showed zero. I took the case off and confirmed that the cpu fan doesn't spin when the computer turns on. Tried a different fan header, same result.

So a couple questions:

• Why the hell did my CPU continue to work fine even when running at 98C? Did I just get lucky and get a really, really good batch?
• Why didn't my computer warn me the cpu fan had failed? Every other time I've seen a cpu fan fail the computer refuses to boot until you fix it or change a bios setting?
• Since it's been running at nearly 100C for two months, is the CPU probably broke? Should I send in to Intel for a warranty replacement since it's their cooler that failed. I haven't noticed any issues what so ever, every game and encoder I've used all worked fine. I can run cpu test just to make sure.
• Any suggestions on what type of cooler I should get to replace this one? I can pick up another stock one probably free, but since I know my CPU will work fine even at 100c I kind of want to overclock it, just to get the free performance. I noticed Fry's has this self-contained waterblock for $80 or should I just grab whatever one frostytech says is the best?

[loomer]

If your CPU is working, it is not broken. Its lifespan is going to be shortened by the extra stress put on it, but it's definitely not dead. Most modern CPUs have a max temperature tolerance of around a hundred, so that'd be why it didn't fold in on you.

As for the BIOS not warning you, the sensor might be faulty or the setting might be disabled, which you can check easily enough by just going in and reading it. Mine doesn't think I have a CPU fan for some reason, though.

No advice on the replacement.

[phongn]

Why the hell did my CPU continue to work fine even when running at 98C? Did I just get lucky and get a really, really good batch?

Tc for your CPU is ~75C so you were within the thermal constraints for your case. Plus, CPUs are more robust than you give them credit for.

Why didn't my computer warn me the cpu fan had failed? Every other time I've seen a cpu fan fail the computer refuses to boot until you fix it or change a bios setting?

Your BIOS may not be set to check for CPU functionality, your fan may be reporting a signal when it is not running, etc.

Since it's been running at nearly 100C for two months, is the CPU probably broke? Should I send in to Intel for a warranty replacement since it's their cooler that failed. I haven't noticed any issues what so ever, every game and encoder I've used all worked fine. I can run cpu test just to make sure.

You can run IntelBurnTest to confirm, but your CPU is likely fine.

Any suggestions on what type of cooler I should get to replace this one? I can pick up another stock one probably free, but since I know my CPU will work fine even at 100c I kind of want to overclock it, just to get the free performance. I noticed Fry's has this self-contained waterblock for $80 or should I just grab whatever one frostytech says is the best?[/list]

I like the Scythe Mugen 2 but all of those on the list should be more than adequate.

[Chris OFarrell]

The first thing I did when I got my E8400 was to buy a new heat sink/fan. I hate the stock intel jobs, especially their MB connectors.

[Dominus Atheos]

Update: I bought a Sunbeamtech Core-Contact Freezer for 25 dollars from Newegg and was able to overclock my 2.8ghz e6300 to to 4.0ghz before I said "good enough".

So if anyone ever is looking for recommendations for heatsinks, there you go.