Reinstalled Windows, Computer Now Overheats...

Hey all. I've been having this issue since I reinstalled Windows about two months ago- my CPU temps have gotten pretty hot. Normally this doesn't bother me until yesterday when I got the BSOD while playing Half-Life 2: Episode One because the computer got so hot. No permanent damage appears to have occurred but it's still frustrating.

I think it's worth noting that this is the second time I have had to reinstall Windows and both times the temps increased cumulatively, and I did not have this problem before my first reinstallation of Windows. Before the first reinstall, average CPU temp was about 75 while gaming for a while. After the first reinstall, my average temp while gaming went up to about 80. It now goes from 85-90. It also happened on an older computer I had a few years ago. Is there anything I can do to resolve this issue? Perhaps some older files are stored somewhere from the previous Windows install that are bogging down my system?

Thanks.

By the way, my computers specs are:

Alienware M11xR2
Windows 7 64-bit
Intel Core i5-520UM @ 1.07 GHz
4 gig RAM

Thanks again.

 

I don't believe that would cause the overheating. Have you checked the fans on the machine to make sure they were clean and operational?

 

Yeah I sprayed them out with compressed air and check them, they seem pretty clean.