cpu temp

[bobby-jo]

just built my first pc when i go in the room where it is after its been on a while it smells hot so i cheaked the temps using MSIs core cell program my cpu (amd athlon xp 2500 + ) was running at 51 degrees c and the case temp was in the 40s i have 3 case fans two sucking in one blowing out + the heatsink (came with the retail cpu) and the fan in the psu
is this too high + what can ido too cool it down?

[Designer]

It's a little high but not too excessive, quite common for AMD's to run a little hot (mine's currently at 42 degrees C). Check your heatsink is clipped down securely. Silly question i know but did you peel the covering off the thermal pad before fitting the heatsink.

It may be that the hardware monitor you are using is giving false readings of the CPU temp. Go into your BIOS and check it from there.

[bobby-jo]

thanx the heatsink had the thermal pad but no covering on it

[Designer]

Normally, they've got a peel-off protective strip over the pad that has to be removed before you fit it. Reason I asked is because i've known people to forget to take it off and fit the heatsink.

Anyway, are the clips secure?

Is the room normally quite hot, this does'nt help when your trying to keep your temps down, i've noticed this with mine. When the rooms hot your cooling efficiency is reduced.

[bobby-jo]

when i built the pc (last monday) i double cheaked the clips and last night i rerooted the cables to allow more air round the fans i'll try again later

[Designer]

Are your BIOS settings correct for the processor you have i.e. Clock speed & multiplier. As you bought the processor retail, it should have the exact details of the processor with the packaging or better still the OPN number.

Your processor should be OPN AXDA2500DKV4D

operating frequency 1833MHz, 11x multiplier.

On your POST screen does the PC report the processor as an XP2500+.

Just sayin to check this as if the processor is running to fast then it will run at a higher temperature.

[bobby-jo]

thanx do you know what the alarm temp (or what ever it is called) is for the athlon 2500+ that you can set in the bios to shut off the cpu if it reaches that temp?

[Designer]

AMD states that the Max (I would think death temperature) for the XP2500+ (OPN number in my last post) is 85 deg C, that temperature would certainly cause damage. But I'd say 60 to 65 deg C is a safer setting to use for shut-down temperature.

Check it in my reference table, see link below

http://members.aol.com/designerpc/amdcpu.htm


Was the temperature in your 1st post the idle temperature or under-load, because under load that temperature would be common.

[nocturnx]

51C isnt that hot for an amd processor. especially if your case temp is in the 40s with 3 case fans. I wouldnt worry about it, but how hot does it get under load? If you plan on overclocking then get a better HSF otherwise I think your fine. Do you have some of your case fans blowing in and some blowing out for good airflow? Some arctic silver may also drop your temps.

The core cell temp monitor and is very accurate from what ive checked, I use it also.

[bobby-jo]

i have 1 fan blowing out and 2 sucking in but ive just turned one fan round (2 blowing out and one sucking in) to see if that makes a difference

[MrAustin]

Not to deter from bobby-jo's postings, but just wondering if someone could tell me if this reading is too high as well?

CPU (idle) at 53C
CPU (load) at 66C (UT2004, outlook2003, opera, fireworksMX)
SYS (idle) at 45C
PWM (idle) at 47C

Bear in mind that the AC upstairs is not very good, so it's probably about 80F in the room I'm in now.

Just curious

[Designer]

MrAustin,
Those temperatures sound a little on the high side for a P4 2.8C, i assume you're overclocking. Try going back to stock speed and see what difference you get. Or maybe a better cooler is needed if your using the stock HSF.

[Zick Boy]

I red that having more air out than in is better for cooling. And yes, the room temperature helps a lot. I have an AMD Athlon XP 3200+ running at 48C idle and case temp is 22C. I have 2 fans intake and 2 out. I always keep the room temp around 75oF or lower.

[Designer]

If you've got the space to fit another fan i'd have 2 intake ath the front and two exhausts at the rear.

[Propain]

hey Bobby-jo I have that same cpu and when its loaded it also runs at 66c/150f - 57c/137f idle. I have a Zalman flower HSink and as long as stuff runs then your ok. If proggies start shutting down then you should worry. Also if youve just installed it , give it a few days for the thermal paste to settle down and you should notice a few degrees lower in 2 or 3 days.

btw its like 90f right now in the PC area.

cheers