High Processor Temprature Problems with first build! :(

[bbar86]

this is my first time building a computer and here are the specs

Intel D945PSN motherboard
Intel Pentium D 3.0 Ghz (W/ Socket 775 cooling fan)
350W power supply
Western Digital 160gb SATA Hard Drive
EVGA Ge-Force 512mb video card
1Gb RAM
WinXP Pro
Case with 1 side fan and 2 rear fans

The problem that i am having is that i am getting high temprature readings for my processor. i used to boot it up and it would start out at 60celcius and rise to 76celcius (over threshold) within 2 min.
i recently added the two rear fans and got a new thermal compound. now the computer boots with a processor temprature of 50celcius, the good news is that it is now stablized and stays within that range. my only concern is that i think 50 is still a high number and im pulling my hair out trying to figure out how to decrease it.

i would greatly appreciate any help with my situation

[newbuilder14]

It's possible the heatsink-fan is improperly installed.

[AnotherMuggle]

I would make sure that you have set the BIOS to shut the computer down in the event that the temperatures get too high.

50C is quite high but it's certainly not going to cause any damage.]

As newbuilder14 says, it would be a good idea to have another go at attaching the heatsink and fan. Are you removing the old thermal paste before applying more? This is very important...and remember not to apply the paste too think...you need a good contact but not too much!

[DarkPacMan77]

uninstall the heatsink+fan, and reinstall it+ apply new thermal paste... then repost. And try to make sure everything is installed properly... look over everything well 3 times.

[glc]

775 heatsinks can be difficult to install correctly - remove the motherboard from the case and reinstall it - each post has to snap into the hole fully before twisting and locking it.

[bbar86]

first, thanks to all the replied

here is an update, what i did was i took out the mother board and reinstalled the heat sink being very meticulous about it. i did not reapply the thermal compound because i had already done that a couple days ago (as i mentioned in my first post, and yes i did remove the old one before putting the new one). the difference that all this has made is about a 3-4degree drop. this is an improvement but i dont know if it is still healthy, what temprature should a pentium D 3.0ghz be running at anyway? so now the pc boots up with temp around 46celcius, and after playing a video game for a half hour (AoE2, if it matters) the temp rises to about 55 which is in the "yellow" zone according to intel ("green" being normal and "red" being over threshold"), and slowly drops to 50celcius afterward, which is just about on the "yellow" zone.

so bottom line.....is the 46-50 range accetable? or should i still be concerned?

thanks again

[newbuilder14]

On the stock Intel HSF I'd say that's fine. As long as your system doesn't seem instable. Maybe you could consider a better HSF from Arctic Cooling, man that would put your system in the 30C idle range and the 50C load range.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Those are great temps. Just get worried if it starts going over 65-70+.

Otherwise its in perfectly optimal temperature ranges.

That does seem like its ok, My Pentium D 805 Oced to 3.3ghz w/Stock cooler idles at 34c with a max load of 52c

Ignore the sig, thats like a year ago

[bbar86]

yeah, other than the temp the system works beautifully, awesome graphics and as stable as it should be, i guess im being a bit overcautious about it. maybe down the road ill look for a better heatsink fan to put on it but for now ill enjoy it as it is, thanks for all your help!