[m91]

Would the Intel 845 MCH chip break without heatsink?

Well here's the case. I opened up my computer 5 years after buying it to upgrade it. When I opened it it, I found out that the heatsink of the memory controller hub (MCH) had broken off from the motherboard and was lying at the bottom of the computer.

Well in fact I know now that it's been broken for at least 3 years, since about 3 years ago, I changed the position of my PC, and as I moved it, I heard something loose moving around inside the computer. I didn't take it seriously then as I thought it's probably a lose screw or something.

But the funny thing is, I play memory and CPU intensive computer games, and it has worked fine since at least 3 years since it's broken off. But I'm worried that without the heatsink, it may be overheating, and its lifetime may be decreased.

Here are some of the temperatures of components, at 100% CPU usage, obtained from Speedfan.

Ambient: 45C
Remote 1: 49C
Remote 2: 37C
HD0: 28C
Temp1 = 24C

I'm pretty sure that Remote 1 is the processor, and temp1 is the temperature of the case, but I don't know if the Ambient or Remote 2 temp is measured by that chip?
(Just out of interest, where would the temperature sensor for 'Ambient' be?)

Fan speed:
3212 RPM - CPU
2065 RPM - System fan



As you can see, one of the loops (which I have highlighted) on the motherboard which the clip of the heatsink was attached to has broken off. The clip I had only attached itself to 2 loops, so if I buy a clip that attaches itself to 4 loops, will I be able to use it to reattach the heatsink?

[JayEm]

Get yourself some Arctic Silver Thermal Epoxy to stick it back on permanently. Clip becomes redundant.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=OA-001-AC

[namtlade]

That exact thing happened to an old computer that I had, some old HP. A hook had broken and the heatsink was just lieing to the side exactly like what happened to you. According to my geeky genius friend on old computers the northbridge can survive fine without any heatsink as it really doesn't get hot enough. If the heatsink had fallen off the CPU you'd have a problem, but it's just the northbridge.

[Varsity]

yeh northbridge's are fairly resilient. Especially on lower power machines.

On newer stuff tho they can get very hot, I have a huge heatsink on my NB, and a 80mm fan

[m91]

Would it work more efficiently though if I did fix the heatsink back on? The only way I see is to either get a clip that is capable of holding onto 4 hooks or to use double sided thermal adhesive tape. As for using Arctic Silver Thermal Epoxy, if the glue dries hard before I have oriented the heatsink, it will be permanent and would I not be able to move it?

[vaanish]

(Original post by m91)
Would it work more efficiently though if I did fix the heatsink back on?

I dont know about working more efficiently but it would definately increase the lifespan of the NB.

[namtlade]

(Original post by m91)
Would it work more efficiently though if I did fix the heatsink back on? The only way I see is to either get a clip that is capable of holding onto 4 hooks or to use double sided thermal adhesive tape. As for using Arctic Silver Thermal Epoxy, if the glue dries hard before I have oriented the heatsink, it will be permanent and would I not be able to move it?

I seriously wouldn't worry about it. The computer that I had with the same problem was probably running for years without the NB heatsink. I wouldn't bother, but then again I'm incredibly lazy.

[m91]

Another thing would be if I was overclocking my processor, it could cause the North bridge to overheat wouldn't it?

[Clubber Lang]

dont overclock if you cant keep your pc cool.