Member Avatar for tcepser

I have just installed a new motherboard, new DDR RAM and a new 350w power supply into my pc. When i switch the pc on and try to install a fresh copy of XP around 5mins of the install the computer just dies.

i left it for a bit, switched it back on and went into BIOS and noticed that my CPU temp was an AMAZING 80c!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i didnt even no it cud go this high. I have the headsink and fan, i also have an extra fan on the chasis and an extractor fan.

I have build pcs before but never come across this problem!
Any help would be aprreciated :D

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Original post: new motherboard + new DDR + a new 350W PSU; system dies about five minutes into a fresh XP install and BIOS shows the CPU around 80C. Several replies already hit the basic install checks (see and ). The checklist below focuses on hardware and firmware causes that haven't been covered in detail here — power delivery, motherboard VRMs/sensors, BIOS/voltage settings, and memory faults — and gives a short sequence to isolate the fault.

Start with power and firmware: swap the 350W for a known-good, higher-capacity PSU if possible and confirm the dedicated CPU power lead (ATX12V 4/8‑pin) is present and latched. Reset the motherboard to BIOS defaults and record the CPU Vcore and reported clocks (automatic over-volting or wrong clock settings can drive temperatures and shutoffs). Important safety note: never run the CPU powered for extended periods without its cooler installed.

Isolate the board and memory: bench the board on a non‑conductive surface with only essential parts (CPU with cooler, one RAM stick, video if needed, PSU). This rules out case shorts or faulty add-ons. Run a memory tester (Memtest86) or swap sticks to eliminate bad RAM as the installer proceeds for a few minutes. Note POST/beep codes or any motherboard diagnostic LEDs at failure time — sudden power loss without POST errors points more toward PSU/VRM failures than OS problems.

Advanced checks before RMA: inspect the VRM/MOSFET area for excessive heat or missing heatsinks, check the CPU/socket for physical damage or bent pins, and verify the motherboard BIOS supports the CPU (update BIOS only if a compatible method and a working CPU are available). If the machine still dies with a known-good PSU and minimal bench setup, the most likely culprits are a defective motherboard (VRM/sensor) or a bad PSU — RMA or part swap will be the next step.

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Member Avatar for alc6379

Did you use Thermal paste? Have you gotten your Heatsink on right? Is the fan on the heatsink running?

Those are just a few things I could think of. To isolate the issue, try running the system with the case side off, turn off all of the case fans, and just let the fan on the heatsink run. The key is just to make sure you've got good, even contact, and a thin layer of thermal paste between the CPU and the heatsink. If you didn't replace your CPU, be sure to clean the old paste off the chip, and reapply new thermal paste.

Member Avatar for rdzlyz

I have just installed a new motherboard, new DDR RAM and a new 350w power supply into my pc. When i switch the pc on and try to install a fresh copy of XP around 5mins of the install the computer just dies.

i left it for a bit, switched it back on and went into BIOS and noticed that my CPU temp was an AMAZING 80c!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i didnt even no it cud go this high. I have the headsink and fan, i also have an extra fan on the chasis and an extractor fan.

I have build pcs before but never come across this problem!
Any help would be aprreciated :D

get thermal paste then buy a new fan or case what kind of case do you have

Member Avatar for suRoot

did you take the plastic strip off the bottom of the heatsink?

Member Avatar for Danniboy

yea wot they said, lol
try and raise the speed of the fan mabe aswell in the bios to giv ya more of a chance of gettin tht xp installed? and if theres already thermal paste and thts not the problem then sumthins really not right but it must b tht

Member Avatar for alc6379

Wow... way to resurrect a dead thread, guys! ;)

Member Avatar for moderate_rock48

lol i think i will put in my contribution.....did ya try thermal paste? lol

Member Avatar for suRoot

cpu seated correctly? the thermomiters in cpu's arn't very accurate anyway

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