I have a question regarding thermal paste. Do computers from 1995-1997 need it on their CPUs? I have my HP Pavilion 7285 still and I wonder if it could use it. Been having occasional brief interruptions of sound when playing Doom in DOS, and I wonder if thermal paste might help any.Generally, No. Even fans, in some cases, were optional.

Heatsinks showed up for later 486 120 and Pentium systems, But thermal paste didn't really become necessary until the faster Pentium II chips.

Thermal throttling behaviour would explain your symptoms, however, Thermal Throttling is relatively recent in terms of CPU capabilities. An overheating Pentium 200 PROCESSOR, like in that system, isn't going to underclock itself to lower it's voltage to PROTECT itself. It's just going to fail.

I'm not suggesting your processor is failing, mind you. Your symptoms PROBABLY have another CAUSE.

Quote from: BC_Programmer on February 18, 2022, 02:35:13 PM

Generally, No. Even fans, in some cases, were optional.

Heatsinks showed up for later 486 120 and Pentium systems, But thermal paste didn't really become necessary until the faster Pentium II chips.

Thermal throttling behaviour would explain your symptoms, however, Thermal Throttling is relatively recent in terms of CPU capabilities. An overheating Pentium 200 Processor, like in that system, isn't going to underclock itself to lower it's voltage to protect itself. It's just going to fail.

I'm not suggesting your processor is failing, mind you. Your symptoms probably have another cause.