[XJDHDR]

I see. So if there is too little pressure, the motherboard acts as if there is no CPU installed.

I'm guessing that the TDP is about 75 - 80*C. After I placed that aluminium foil between the CPU and heatsink, my brother tested the computer's stability by playing a game using that motherboard and CPU. The game (Prototype) had a lot of stuttering while playing with the problem CPU, compared to playing the game on our other PC which uses a Pentium 4 2.8GHz HT (200MHz slower than the problem CPU) where there was very little stuttering. To make sure though, is there any way I can find out what the sSpec number is?

[win2kpro]

When you get your thermal compound and get ready to apply it, clean the top of the processor so it's absolutely clean, and you should be able to see (may need a magnifying glass) a 5 digit alpha/numeric code or possibly just a 5 digit alpha code (sSpec number) etched on top of the processor, for example SL68B or SLAPP or something like the examples.

Post the 5 digit code and I will link you to a spec sheet that will give you all the information on that particular processor.

After you get the sSpec number you can go to the motherboard manufacturers site, and make sure the processor is supported by that particular motherboard.

[XJDHDR]

The thermal grease I ordered finally arrived yesterday afternoon. I applied it to the CPU following CrjDriver's instructions. The CPU's temperature now rises to a maximum temperature of about 50*C. It looks like my problem has been solved. To everyone who provided a suggestion, thank you very much.

As for the sSpec number, this is what is engraved on the CPU:
INTEL (H)(C) '04
Pentium (R) 4
630 SL7Z9 China
3.00 GHz/ 2M/ 800/ 04A
5519A975

[etaf]

thanks for providing the update, as it always good to know the solution to the problem and will also help other people with the same problem searching
would you now mark solved
at the top of your first post is a button mark solved

[win2kpro]

Here's a link to all the specs on your processor.

http://processorfinder.intel.com/Det...px?sSpec=sl7z9

[crjdriver]

50C under load is fine. Looks like you got it fixed

[XJDHDR]

@Etaf
You're welcome. I was going to mark it solved as soon as Win2kPro provided the information on my CPU.

@Win2kPro
Thank you for all the information and help you provided.

[win2kpro]

You're welcome.

[Izzeho]

just wanted to post and say this may fix my issue also. I never knew CPU paste could make that much of a difference, but considering how adamant so many of you are.. I'll pick some up tomorrow...

Ironically I have almost identically specced computer reaching very much similar temperatures. The computer has a completely corrupted hard drive but I'll fix that once it stays on for more than 20 seconds.

[XJDHDR]

Yes, thermal grease is very important. That's why it is applied to every microprocessor that has a heatsink attached.

In my case though, I thought there was enough thermal grease applied to the CPU. Or I did at first. I was wrong though.