Arrgggg!

[Mattc0m]

So far I've done:
- Updated drivers for: CPU, GPU, Mobo, BIOS, Sound, LAN, IDE, & SATA
- Can interchange both GPUs w/ no differences. 7600GT OC and 7900GT OC. Both from BFG Tech.
- Can interchange RAM, no differences. Assuming it's good.
- Same w/ PSU
- I'm fairly certain my GPU is not overheating (tested)
- Scanned extensively through BIOS, nothing I see matters, and what might make a difference does not.
- Tried tweaked Nvidia drivers, no difference
- Tried underclocking the GPU, no difference
- Some research I've done seems to point to the CPU overheating and causing the PC to shutdown. This makes sense as to why I'm crashing when doing non-3D tasks (like watching a movie or TV show on the web)

Parts Replaced:
- PSU (less than 1 month old)
- GPU (less than 1 month old)
- RAM (less than 1 month old)
-- CPU, MOBO, case, and old PSU / GPU are/were 3 months old
-- I've spent over $700 in the last 3 months, and my computer is still busted 

Current Specs:

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3800+
MOBO: ECS RS482-M S.939
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6820220030
GPU: http://bfgtech.com/7900GT_256_PCIX.html
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6817153023

Next on list:

Okay, my next assumption is the CPU is overheating. I have speedfan, and some of my temperatures are a bit high. I have no idea what they temperatures are for, though.

Right now
Local: 44C
Remote: 79C
Temp1: 41C
Temp2: last -49C min -129C max 123C (WTF?)
Temp3: -11C
HD0: 40C
HD1: 43C
Temp1: 40C
Core: 70C

Any ideas? And what is a good part for CPU cooling?

Next on TO-DO list

1. Get new PCI soundcard
2. Reinstall Windows XP
3. Replace Motherboard
4. Replace CPU
5. Earn money out of all the debt I've accumulated

[Major Tom]

What program are you using to get these numbers?
Maybe your MOBO manufacture has a utility for CPU and fans etc.

What cooler are you using and did you use enough CPU grease on the cooler block?
Is the CPU cooler securely attached? Even if you have a good amount of grease on it if it isn't on CPU with enough pressure it will overheat.

Don't overlook your GPU in your video card as it can overheat too.
If it is a ATI you can use ATI Tray Tools
http://www.guru3d.com/article/atitraytools/189/

[Mattc0m]

1. What program are you using to get these numbers?
2. Maybe your MOBO manufacture has a utility for CPU and fans etc.

3. What cooler are you using and did you use enough CPU grease on the cooler block?
4. Is the CPU cooler securely attached? 5. Even if you have a good amount of grease on it if it isn't on CPU with enough pressure it will overheat.

6. Don't overlook your GPU in your video card as it can overheat too.
If it is a ATI you can use ATI Tray Tools
http://www.guru3d.com/article/atitraytools/189/

1. Speedfan
2. I'll check again, don't think it does though
3. Don't know
4. How do I check?
5. Don't know
6. Not overclocking, not using ATI, and I have 2 seperate GPUs and the problem has not stopped when I interchange them. Can a GPU even cause your mobo to beep?

[Major Tom]

If you don't have any CPU "Thermal Grease" I would make sure you have some on hand before you remove the cooler.
Any computer store has it.

You want to insure the cooler fits squarely on the CPU when you attach it.
Sometimes you will have to "lap" the bottom of the cooler to insure it is flat by using a flat piece of glass and a piece of emery paper.

[Zeus]

Major Tom, any chance you could get on ts to try to help me and matt out with this process? I'm trying to talk him through taking the fan off and also ensuring when he puts it back on that is it down tighter to the CPU. His core temperature is 70 C, which seems very high to me.

[Mattc0m]

Well the new fan and heatsink, and thermal paste, didn't do a thing. So I'm off to earn $200 and get a new CPU and mobo before I can play again.

There is no way a Windows XP reinstall will lower the CPU temp, right? So I'm on to phase 2, new computer.

Basically, I'm buying a new CPU & Mobo:

- CPU: Sticking with the AMD, I simply don't have enough money for the Core Duo 2.
- Mobo: I was thinking DFI Lanparty, but those things cost too much and I don't like overclocking anyway.

I'm looking to spend around $250.

[Cpl Boden]

If the mobo does it...I win. 

[Major Tom]

That is very odd indeed.
Are you sure the heat sink is contacting the CPU?

One way to check is cleanup the paste etc from CPU and heat sink.
Then get cut a strip of a thin piece of paper same width as contact block on CPU to use as a gauge.
Put the strip of paper between the CPU and heat sink and install the heat sink.
If can easily pull the paper out you could have some kind of obstruction between the mount bracket and the mobo.

I also have used a contact check paste called "Prussian Blue".  You can find it at most auto parts stores.  It is used to check mating surfaces between bearings cylinder heads etc. (I use to be a motorcycle/car mech before I was a network engineer)

Your house must smell like French Fried CPU if your CPU is getting to 100c (212f) 
Yikes!

[Mattc0m]

I think some sensor / my motherboard / my cpu / something is giving me bad information. I start up after being completely disassembled (ie: the cpu was in my hands, and it was definitely not 60C). Then I start up, and it says my temp is 60C. Can it really heat up that quickly before I can get into BIOS? I'd like to believe it's just my motherboard being a bitch, and thus I can go and replace it.

I'm probably going to switch out my Mobo first, instead of switching both CPU and Mobo right off the bat. Might save 100 I don't want to spend. Or is it more likely my CPU is failing?

And they are contacting. Whenever I apply the new thermal paste yesterday, I took off the heatsink today and the thermal paste was all over the heatsink, sticking right on. I reapplied it after looking around, didn't see anything out of place. Everything seems to be how it was meant to be.