Is My CPU running too hot?

[samhughes]

Hi,

My AMD XP 2700 is running at a general temp of 67degrees (152F) The otherday after playing a game, it was running at 81C!! Is this ok?? Or is it going to blow? How can I stop it from getting to this temp?

All info appriciated

Sam

[ric449]

That is a little too high. Try these suggestions, and if they don't work, tell us. Heres the link: http://ricserv.servebeer.com/temperature.html

[glc]

The only thing I can add to your article is this - if it's an AMD or a pre-P4 Intel, make sure you don't put the heatsink on 180 degrees out - the side of the heatsink with the "lip" goes over the wide side of the socket - the side where the lever hinge is. If there's no lip, there should be some kind of offset that you can see.

[samhughes]

Many Thanks for the info so far!!!

I looked on the chart fromthe link that you gave me (Ric449) and it says that the temp for a AMD XP 2700 is 85, and mine was reaching a max of 81!

Thanks

[ric449]

You shouldn't run anything processor intensive until you get those temperatures sorted then, because you could burn out that processor at any time. Also, the lifetime of that processor is being severely shortened.

[samhughes]

So your saying that 67 is intense?

[ComPman]

Originally posted by samhughes So your saying that 67 is intense?

yesssssssss man , anything over 50 is a killer

[ric449]

Originally posted by ComPman yesssssssss man , anything over 50 is a killer

No way. That is true with some processors, but it is not uncommon to see a prescott running that temperature. It all depends what the processor is designed to handle.

[Cricket]

Check your heatsink installation and make sure it's on correctly. The recessed part of the heatsink goes over the raised part of the socket. The metal clip should contact the heatsink directly over the CPU core. If the heatsink already had a thermal pad, don't apply thermal compound. If you're using thermal compound, make sure you didn't use too much...all you need is a light smear on the CPU core and the bottom of the heatsink.

Cricket

[yellohut]

what kinds of cooling do you have in your case..
i would reccomend two fans, one pulling air in from the front, and one blowing out the back.
and make sure you keep the cables organized inside, that can help airflow drastically.

[samhughes]

Hi,
I have checked my heatsink, and it is installed correctly.

I have one fan on the side window of the case blowing air onto the processor, One fan at the rear, one computer exhaust in a PCI Slot and the PSU has 2 fans, So i dont think that it is the fan situation?? Or is it? I dont know?

[samhughes]

Also, all my cabes are rounded, so they arnt restricting the air flow.

[rcx21000]

I think that it's a temp reading error.... Wouldn't the proc start going crazy at that temp (but not quite burn up)? But I'd still try to find out why anyways....

[samhughes]

How elce can i find out the temp of the processor??

The software that came with the MB is showing this reading

[samhughes]

The Motherboard software is showing 67C and SiSoftware Sandra is showing 55?

Which do you think is correct?

[ric449]

There is a surefire way of finding out: look in the BIOS menu. That will not be effeced by software.

[samhughes]

I have just checked the BIOS and that is telling me that on bootup, (Restart) it is showing me 70c this is after simple processing work like sending e-mails and surfing the web.

Is this hot?? Do you think that I should get some thermal paste? Will that make much difference? Or another Heatsink with a larger surface area?

[ric449]

Yes, that is hot. Are you saying you didnt use thermal paste? That is pretty essential.....

*edit* Did the processors heatsink come with a thermal pad? If so that should be enough. Also remember that thermal pads and paste can only be used once, if you remove the heatsink then you need to replace the old paste/pad.

[samhughes]

No, My CPU didn't come with any pads or paste. Do you think that investing in some would be a good thing then. Will it lower the temp?

[Designer]

Either thermal paste or a pad must be used, if not the heatsink will not effectively dissipate heat from the processor's core. Get some paste or a pad on it QUICK!

[ric449]

It will definately lower the temp. Make sure you apply the paste properly.

[Tin]

all you need is a very thin layer of thermal paste, you dont have to goop it on there. just spread a little bit over the core of the processor.

[WolfPac_Ite]

i heard the thinner the spread the better, But make sure you put enough to cover the entire surface area, You should spread it on, place the HS on then pull it off and see if touched the paste, Or at least I think that's waht you can do.

[KC1213]

What do you guys think of using available software to keep the cpu temp down? I don't use any, but I know people that do. I am curious if any of you do...?

[arubahounds]

Sam, I've got a a Barton 2600+ (not OC'd). It runs in the 30's and low 40's according to the bios and Asus Probe. No special cooling. You shouldn't be running double those temps on a 2700+.

Is your CPU retail or OEM? Mine was retail and it came with a HSF that had a thermal pad built in. It's a grey square that sits right on the center of the CPU.

[samhughes]

Thanks for all the response.

My Processor did come with a little pad that had a plastic stip that i removed before i placed the heatsink on the first time. However since then i have removed the heatsink for other reasons, and I have since been told that once you remove the processor from the thermal pad you must get a new one! Is this true?

Sam

[samhughes]

Hi,

I have now added some new thermal paste, and the temp of it now when i am surfing the web and typing this is 67c!! Is this still too hot! It sounds like it is still to hot to me!

[rcx21000]

Did you get off the old pad/paste first? And where do you live? In some reall hot places, even water cooling is barely as good as fan cooling in other places....

[ric449]

You have to remove the pad, then thoroughly clean the heatsink with 100% isopropyl alcohol.

[Cricket]

Originally posted by KC1213 What do you guys think of using available software to keep the cpu temp down? I don't use any, but I know people that do. I am curious if any of you do...?

Those programs (like Rain and Waterfall) only work when the CPU is idle, not when it's working or under load, so they're pretty useless.

Cricket