Author Topic: CPU temps + AH (Read 368 times)

Max · « **on:** February 06, 2008, 08:38:03 AM »

So my new abit mobo has a neat program that displays cpu temps. Normal temps seem to be in the 120o - 130o range. If I cntrl+alt to the desktop with AH running, the temps up around 175 ish and the warning light is on.

Is that a "normal" temp? The cpu is set to "shutdown" for critical overheats, but does it create any harm to run a hot cpu for long lenghts of time?

Thanks

Skuzzy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2008, 09:42:05 AM »

That CPU should not be running that hot. About 105F to 110F should be on the warm side.

a) While you were attaching the heat sink to the motherboard, did you allow the heat sink to tilt around on top of the CPU? This would smear the thermal material in an uneven fashion and cause the CPU to run hotter than it should.

b) Are you sure you got all 4 pins pushed all the way through the motherboard and locked for the heat sink?

c) The utility is not reporting the correct temps. I would look at the BIOS as well and see if they numbers are close to matching.

d) ABit motherboards have a quiet setting for the CPU fan. Make sure it is off and all the CPU fan to run full bast all the time.

That is all I can think of at them moment.

Fulmar · « **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2008, 09:57:25 AM »

A lot of AMD/Intel Heatsinks that come with the processor do not have thermal paste, but a thermal pad already pre-attached to the heatsink bottom. I know the last two Intel and AMD stock processors had this.

So in response to Skuzzy's a).... Did you apply an thermal paste? Or did you use the stock pad. I've used the stock pad for non-overclocking machines before without any problems.

What processor are you running btw? Also, is your airflow pretty good in the case? <- As in, are you cables fairly neat and are not blocking airflow through the case. Airflow should work like this is most computer cases:

Although bad airflow really wouldn't give you a +40F temperature increase, it can make a 5-10F difference.

I've seen Mobo monitor software misreport CPU temps before. I would do as Skuzzy suggested and go in the Bios and make sure Quiet CPU Fan is OFF and double check the temperatures. The temps in the Bios be lower being the CPU draw before Windows etc is very minimal so heat is at a minimum.

Max · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2008, 10:27:27 AM »

Houston we may have a problem. I recall removing the black plastic protector cover from the CPU, inserting the CPU into the socket as per the (pretty lousey) Intel illustration, and then setting the cpu fan into the 4 recepticles. 2 of em snapped in snug while the other 2 (diagonal) were a bit loose. Skuzzy, I recall you saying they required about 16 lbs to torque to get 'em in but I was afraid of cracking the mobo.

I don't recall using any thermal paste whatsoever. The bottom of the cpu fan had a copper banding, which I assumed transferred heat from the cpu to the fan. Did I miss a critical step? I'll google this up while waiting to hear back.

Fulmar I used an Antec900 case which has great top, front and back ventilation + 1 200 mm top fan, 2 120 mm front fans and 1 120 mm back fans. Yes, the extra power supply cables (of which there are several unused) are sitting in a rather unorganized fashion inside the case. Something tells me that the heat sink/thermal paste or lack thereof is my problem.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2008, 11:05:27 AM »

Sounds like you might have pushed the spreader pins into the frame of the heat sink cage before making sure the pins were actually through the motherboard. Typically they drop right in, but not always.

Make sure the pins are through the motherboard, before attempting to push the locking pins down.

Fulmar, the heat sink is equipped with thermal pad/paste stuff Intel slaps on all thier CPU heat sinks. I agree, it is good enough for stock clocks, particularly on the Core 2 family.

I have an Allendale 2Ghz that I bumped to 3.2Ghz on stock cooling. At full load it is running 108F. Amazing CPU's.

The big trick to a good install of the LGA775 heat sink is to not rock it while locking it down.

Max · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2008, 11:59:02 AM »

You nailed it Skuzzy...the push pins weren't seated correctly. The resting desktop core temp is now 64.4 - almost half of what it was.

Give that nice man a raise HTC.

Bodhi · « **Reply #6 on:** February 06, 2008, 12:45:25 PM »

I definitely have to agree on installing the heat sink on the 775 boards. Especially if you have the liquid cooling like the Gigabyte 3D Mercury Case's built in system. I made the mistake of trying to install the heat sink after putting the mother board into the case. Well, it ended up with me taking the mother board back out and holding the backing plate in place while I attached the heat sink. Pretty difficult while dealing with tubes and such hanging all over.

Here are some pictures:

RTHolmes · « **Reply #7 on:** February 06, 2008, 12:49:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Max
1 200 mm top fan, 2 120 mm front fans and 1 120 mm back fans.

the front fans are sucking air into the case right?

Fulmar · « **Reply #8 on:** February 06, 2008, 01:46:06 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by RTHolmes
the front fans are sucking air into the case right?

Yeah, I've never met a case so far that the front fans are blowing outward. The Antec 900's have the fans pre-installed and it is an excellent case IMO.

Bruv119 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 07, 2008, 06:10:29 AM »

I took mine apart at the weekend and cleared out all the gathered dust.

I'm a lazy bugger and built it around this time last year and haven't cleaned it once.

I'm quite surprised there wasn't more dust in there. The antec900 fan setup must push most of it out.

Bruv
~S~