Is this too hot for a CPU?

[Estes]

This may be a dumb question but I have no idea

{edit} cropped because of wallpaper content

[Ghosth]

your fine at 44 C.

Especially as long as it is not consistantly over 50.

Modern ADM processors run HOT.

[VAQ]

Assuming stock rig w/original HS non o/c @ idle (not under load) your cpu temp is perhaps a tad above optimal.  Ideal is somewhere in the 37C - 54C range (recommended cpu temp under decent load is around 43- 45C I think).  Is your system stable?  What are your temps under load?

You can (probably) drop your cpu temps by 5C to 8C (or better) by adding a better HSF and decent thermal compound (Arctic Silver Ceramique is getting great reviews.  I will be trying it out tonight to mount a Zalman 7000Cu to a P4 2.4C).  It is a little hard to say how much you can lower your cpu temp, as there are more than a couple of variables involved.

Case temps can be knocked down with fans.  How many do you have in your case?  Slap a vantec Tornado in that puppy.  The 80x80x25mm Tornado pushes about 84 CFM @ 5700 rpm but at a cost- it runs @ around 50+ dBa.  Not exactly hair dryer loud, but…ok, you might not need a vantec, but definitely check out your case airflow.  Fans that push in the 30-40CFM range @ low dBa are cheap.

The location of your system can make a difference in case temps.  Is it in a desk enclosure?  Exposed to sunlight?  On a desk or on the floor?  You are in N Texas and we are getting into the hot time of the year.  I am assembling a new system in the basement and that is where it is going to stay this summer.

[Modas]

Got an XP2500+ barton running at 52-53° constantly.  No problems here....

[FOGOLD]

If my 1800xp goes over 50 I get lockups. I have a coolermaster 210 alloy case, sk6 HSF  and was having constant lockups till I installed an120mm fan pushing air onto the mobo. It already had 2 exhaust fans. Now it runs sub 40oc and no probs. BUT I am a bit disillusioned as Overclockers UK built this rig and I never thought a processor with this fancy case and fancy HSF would have heat problems at stock speeds! Overclocking is out of the question needless to say!  I think aluminium cases are the biggest lot of overhype. They LOOK great, but this "giant heatsink" bull**** is just that!

[DAVENRINO]

Am I the only one that noticed your system temp is higher than your CPU?  There is something wrong in your temp readings.  44 or 46 may be a little high for an Intel depending on your room and case temps.  AMD users are very happy with those temps.

[Excaliber]

I'm running CPU temps of 55-60C right now. Initially I was running nearly 65c but determined by talking with some of you guys that that was too hot so I bought a volcane 7 cpu fan and sync which helped. 55-60 still seems warm as compared to some of the temps I see on here. I used the quick silver paste and have the fan on max rpm (loud) .  I have 3 case fans, one pullin in the front, two pushing out the back. So, is this temp normal or do I need to explore other cooling options? And, I have downloaded Motherboard Monitor but can't identify the sensor I want it to use to monitor CPU temps .........so I use the PC Health in BIOS. Does anyone know a user freindly monitor software?

 silly question> I am sure I was only supposed to put the paste on the metal surface of the cpu...right?

AMD Athlon 2800+
MSI K7N2G Board
1.5 GHz DDR
128 Nvidia 8x vid
Cable

[DAVENRINO]

Excaliber, that is still a bit warm especially if you are reading it in the BIOS when puter first turned on.  It prolly won't hurt anything as long as it is running stable and doesn't get much over 60. You prolly should check your heatsink mounting and reapply a thin layer of Artic Silver.  You didn't post your room or case temp as that gives a better picture of what's happening.

You have an MSI board so you could DL PC Alert:
http://www.msi.com.tw/program/support/software/swr/spt_swr_list.php

It still reads from the same probe as the BIOS which may not be accurate.  It is usually more accurate with AMD to use an after market temp monitor if you are concerned.

Check these Artic Silver Instuctions:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

DJ229 - AIR MAFIA

[SunKing]

look at all that spyware..  AOL, Gamespy... tsk tsk.

[FOGOLD]

Gee, my games would lock at those temps. Must be sub 50. Maybe I have a  "delicate" processor. Certainly gives NO problems under 50oC.

My work machine Celeron 800 runs at 17oC. Here's where we see Intel's strength. No?

[Skuzzy]

I get the heebeegeebee's when my P4 breaks 37C.  It can take more heat, but I figure the surrounding components would be the ones to die first, before the CPU.
I like em cool.

[DAVENRINO]

Originally posted by FOGOLD
My work machine Celeron 800 runs at 17oC. Here's where we see Intel's strength. No?

LOL you must have to wear long underwear and a parka at work if your office is cold enough to get that CPU temp with air cooling.

DJ229 - AIR MAFIA

[Excaliber]

WOW! PC Alert is exactly what I had in mind. Very direct to the point layout. Wish I knew how to take a screen shot to post here. Anyway, PC Alert does show precisely the same temps as my BIOS (currently 55c under light to no load).

3 case fans....1 tornado cpu fan....77 degree ambient temp....arctic silver properly applied to cpu/sync....computer mounted 3" above floor on hardwood......Anyone have cooling tricks to mention? Are AMD typically hot running like this or is this unusual?

I really appreciate all the great suggestions so far. BTW

[DAVENRINO]

With your HS/fan and 77F room temp, that is still a pretty high reading even for AMD.  I have a $20 Comp usa temp monitor in a 5.25 bay with a flat probe taped next to the CPU core. It reads about 3C cooler than PC Alert.  Most AMD boards have inaccurate temp readings, but then it looks like Fogolds Intel temp monitor reads ridiculously low.
As far as cooling tips, you can reroute ribbons/cables and switch ribbons to round cables or tie them for better airflow.  You can also cut away restrictions in the case where fans are mounted.

OR you can get rid of most of that noise and switch to water cooling.

[Estes]

Excuse the poor quality (webcam) I think my wife ran off with my digi cam  Any suggestions?