Computer is getting HOT

[Astrodragon]

I'm using a homebuilt AMD 2500+ I assembled 6 months ago. It's been working great but as the seasons are getting hotter, my comp has been getting hotter too. Today after playing a game of UT2003, I reset the machine and saw the bios report a cpu temperature of 65c! To think, summer isn't even in full swing yet. I'm using the stock heatsink/fan that came with the processor. What's the best way to cool things down?

[B&T]

The free solution: Take off the case cover.

[Skunkboy]

If you don't want to go "naked" you could get a liquid cooling system for your processor.

[(jj)]

Some things to check / try.

1. Make sure that the fins on your heatsink are clean and free of dust bunnies. Also check all fans to make sure they are clean and running free.

2. Check the heat sink compound (between the heatsink and CPU) to make sure it has not hardened. Or if using a heat "pad", make sure it is clean and not getting hard.

3. Purchase a larger heatsink/fan combo.

4. Add an extra case fan to put more air into the case.

[nbuzdor@project]

I actually have the same problem, Astrodragon. I had a bad fan on the CPU and it fried some components on my mainboard before I could replace them (capacitors boiled over). Now the machine runs at a slower clock speed when there's no web advertisements flashing on the screen at 179 F, and overheats whenever I go to a site that has a big Flash advertisement. I'm just biding time until I replace the motherboard (which, I think, is why it's still overheating) which can maintain the temperature at the correct temperature of about 80F. If anyone knows about physics or engineering and thinks what I need to replace is a different part, please let me know!