What temperature??? Which fans??? Athlon XP

bearowenrobin · TweakNOOB Joined: 27 Jun 2002 Posts: 9

My Asus Probe shows that my CPU temperature regularly climbs to 70-74 Celcius.

This seems very high to me, but I can't figure it out for sure:

I have read that it is fine to 90C - but don't believe it because I get problems at 73-74C.
I have also heard, many times, that other people's run at 30 to 40 Celcius...?

There is nothing unusual in my case: IBM hard drive, a CD-RW, graphics card (Asus Gf4 64mb) and no over-clocking (yet!).

I don't have anything cooling-wise but the heatsink & CPU fan that came with the chip.

When I bought the case I was told I wouldn't need fans for cooling, although the case has none.

So: What is a decent temp?
...and how can i find out WHICH fans (brand & type) I should get - and where in the case should I mount them?

And what about filters - I cleaned the dust out of the CPU fan - temp dropped 8C! That was only 7 weeks of dust - I just got this computer!

Top seems logical for fans, but I don't want to have to buy something to cut the case...

As you can tell, I'm new to this and welcome your advice.

If it matters I live in Montreal, Canada.

Thanks!!
(Sorry I'm such a non-pro, but you have to start somewhere, right?)

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jadison · Guest

Welcome to TweakNews, bearowenrobin! :)

I agree with Peer, those temps ARE totally bogus. I use a comprehensive piece of software called SiSoft Sandra 2002 (Get it HERE) I use that most of the time for benchmarks and system information such as CPU/Motherboard/Case temperature (Benchmarks are applications that stress your computers hardware and test it's abilities in real-world situations and produce data from the results of these tests in the form of numbers, charts, and/or graphs.)

Once you've downloaded and installed this software (real easy btw), just click on the square blue icon on the toolbar that has a small "i" in it, that's the information module. Then click on "Mainboard Information", from there you should be able to get an accurate reading of your CPU/Mainboard/and Case temps. Tell us what you see there.

I also agree with Peer in that good airflow throughout your PC case is a must these days with processors getting hotter and hotter and more and more people wanting to Overclock. Make sure you do some research on 80mm case fan manufacterers and find out where in your PC case an 80mm case fan would fit (either in the front somewhere and in the back). Make sure that your PSU (Power Supply) fan is working properly as well. BTW, Do you know what your Case Manufacterer is??
I have an Antec SX1030B SOHO PC Case which allows for atleast 4 mountable 80mm case fans for superb air flow. This case stays at ambient temps 24/7.

A good idea is to add Thermal Compound (as Peer suggested), and I recommend Artic Silver 3. It's yielded some of the best results as far as lowering CPU temps. A great guide for applying this stuff (it shows Arctic Silver 2 in the article, but it's all the same) can be found HERE! The guide also has a couple other elements to it, but just pay attention to the application part of it.

bearowenrobin · TweakNOOB Joined: 27 Jun 2002 Posts: 9

Thanks for the great info Jadison and Peer!
I'll post everything as soon as I can.

I can't say how grateful I am!!!

bearowenrobin · TweakNOOB Joined: 27 Jun 2002 Posts: 9

One thing - where do I find the brand of my heatsink?
(It came with the CPU in the Athlon XP package, but I see nothing about it in the documentation.)

Thanks, again!

jadison · Guest

bearowenrobin · TweakNOOB Joined: 27 Jun 2002 Posts: 9

OK - here is what I have done:

Installed a MBM, the temps here are from it.

The CPU fan is made by Bi-Sonic technology Corp., Innovative, model: BS601012H.

I found that out by taking it off and looking on the opposite side...so I thought I maybe had installed the fan the wrong way around.

So, I put it on the other way (sucking air OUT of the heatsink) .

Right now it says the CPU temp is 66C, and I have the side of the case off - it goes up to 71 or so with the side on, but I'm not testing that too thoroughly!

Even if the AMD Web site seems to say it can go to 90c or so!

With the fan the other way it has gone to 74, but I'm sure it would this new way, too.

Now, I don't know what that tells me, but I think it tells me something - what, though?

There was fine dust on the fan.

I'd cleaned that a couple weeks ago and the temp dropped by about 8C(there was a LOT the first time - and after only 2 months, but I live right downtown in Montreal, with 2 dogs? No dog hair!)

...and when I removed the fan I could see dust in the heatsink, so I removed that (carefully, with paper).

The filters will prevent most of the dust, but I'm wondering if I should take the heatsink off to remove dust that migh be around the CPU?

I don't have an image of the cooler yet, but it is silver (aluminium, I suppose).

At the computer parts store today the guy said I don't have an airflow problem, but something else is making the CPU get that hot in the first place...I just don't know what to think anymore!

BTW, the thermal paste came with the CPU. All I had to do was pull back a little piece of plastic and there it was. I assume it was enough.

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Ok,

Here we go bud!! I'm the big heatsink cooling boy of Tweaknews.net and I'm going to help you out.

First thing you should do is take your stock cooler and throw it over your shoulder making sure that there is no-one behind you

Secondly, take your CPU out and use nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol to clean off the core of the XP cpu. *Hint: Use some Q-tips"

Thirdly, apply a thin layer of heatsink compound, even the cheap stuff from Radio-Shack, and install a GOOD cooler. The stock cooler you have is the bare minimum for cooling and if you keep up with these temperatures, you are going to drastically reduce the life-span of your chip. Check out my heatsink fan roundup and choose yourself the cooler you thing would do the job properly.

The Round-up can be found at : http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/shootout27052002/

MSN me at nglentworth@hotmail.com if you need any further questions answered and by the way!! Happy Canada Day ya fellow Canuck!!

I'm from Ontario!!

I... AM... CANADIAN!!!!!
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bearowenrobin · TweakNOOB Joined: 27 Jun 2002 Posts: 9

Hey, Happy Canada Day!

The Canada Day Parade in Montreal started right in front of my apartment - they were warming up for hours: bag-pipers, Sri Lankan singers, Turkish dancers. Lots of fun!

I looked through the heatsink fan round-up briefly - I'll go back in a few hours for a longer look.
I'm choosing and buying July 2, if I have luck finding the ones I want!
A friend has some old cases lying around and I was thinking of seeing if I could get the Power supply fans out to use as case fans...is this sensible?

Alsodo you know where I could get, say the Sibak AE-01-62B, in Montreal?
Should I just get one of the local computer mags and look-up web sites? (Easy enough, but if there's a faster way I'd love to know!)

Thanks a lot, Nathan!

PS - I grew up in Ontario, in North Bay, Gateway To The North!

bearowenrobin · TweakNOOB Joined: 27 Jun 2002 Posts: 9

Forgot to ask:

Is it abnormal that my temp goes up to 74C - and maybe higher if I let it?

Shouldn't the fan & heatsink I have at least prevent that?

People have told me being in the 50's is high - I'm lucky to break mid-sixties (and then usually only at start-up).

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Awesome, I live in Sudbury!! The "TRUE" gateway to the north lolol

Go an buy some case fans bud and dont use the power supply ones, they won't push enough air to do any good
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jadison · Guest

bearowenrobin · TweakNOOB Joined: 27 Jun 2002 Posts: 9

Well I got two case fans and the temperature right now is 68C...mind you we are having a heatwave, but even last night they only went as low as 64C.

I'm very disappointed in what seems to be a waste of $50.00...I'm going to check the motherboard voltage.
I can't find Sibak in Montreal, so I was thinking of getting a Swiftech MC462...but they'd have to order it, so I got the case fans to see if they helped. They don't, not much.

The Swiftech MC462 costs $140!!

When I got my AMD box I paid extra for a heatsink and CPU fan - why do I now have to spend an extra $200.00? I'm not a rich guy, I'm trying to start a graphic arts business, so I need every penny.

I feel as if I have been scammed!

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

go to bigfootcomputers.com . It is in Toronto and is a great online retailer. Also, don't waste your money on a swiftech, get a thermalright SK6, they are awesome and are the best heatsink I have ever used.
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dannylee28 · TweakNOOB Joined: 06 Jul 2002 Posts: 3

bearowenrobin,

Howdy, hope this helps. I own an AMD 1600+, Epox 8KHA+ MOBO, 256MB Kingmax DDR, Asus 24x CDRW and 50x drives, 20G Seagate Baracudda IV. Have also a big heatsink on the CPU with a fan of 5000+rpm (a bit noisy). Casing a quite big (spacious) with space for 4 front and 2 back 4" exaust fans (only use 2 front (suck-in) and 1 back (suck-out) to dissipate the hot air. (the 2 front also cools the hard disk.

Given that AMD is notorious for heat, the big and spacious casing is a plus point that permits good airflow. Coupled with the heatsink, my reported 'working' temperature hovers around 47C and rarely goes above 50C.

I bought a piece of copper shim (Thermaltake) and has yet to install it. Guess it is not necessary at this point in time. Oh yes, I do overclock my system slightly (it's running at 1700+).

I do notice the temp goes up more when I play games (very rarely).

Another method to cool yr system down is to remove the side panels for air to flow freely!!!

Rgds, Danny

bearowenrobin · TweakNOOB Joined: 27 Jun 2002 Posts: 9

Thanks for all the help, all!

I have 2 fans set up properly, cables tucked away, and have set the jumpers so that the CPU is getting lower voltage.

Still, I'm getting 58-64C on my Motherboard Monitor. this is 10C less than before, but still pretty hot, I think.

I'm pretty frustrated that after spending all this $ I have to keep spending money on things I wasn't supposed to need...

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

What heatsink Fan are you using??
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HelzBelz · TweakNOOB Joined: 30 Jul 2002 Posts: 4 Location: Montreal

... as I was reading most replies, there seems to be one question you haven't answered : did you get rid of the "thermal pad" that came with your heatsink and applied some thermal grease ?

Even the cheap white silicon "goo" will transfer heat much better than whatever was already stuck to your heatsink... not mentionning if you would use an "Arctic Silver" type grease !

In Montreal, a tube (syringe) of Arctic Silver goes for 9-12$CDN, and you get enough for about 20 CPUs...

Although of poor quality, your "stock" heatsink/fan should NOT be running this hot...

Of course, going with a Swiftech (or a Thermaltake Volcano 7, which are available all over Montreal... and much cheaper :) around 25$ ) would certainly help even more !

So, check on the grease before going with major expenses...

bearowenrobin · TweakNOOB Joined: 27 Jun 2002 Posts: 9

No, I still have just the little patch of stuff that came with the CPU...I can get Arctic Silver around the corner from my place, though.

Given the force needed to attach the heatsink I suppose I should take out the whole motherboard, right?

Any tips to avert potential disaster?

jadison · Guest

If you have to take out the mobo just so you won't damage it then YES, do so. Just un attach the mobo tray (if It can do this) and be very careful not to let anything slip on to the PCB (printed circuit board) or ur mobo could be toast.

I have a standard HSF that's a bitch to get off, I'm replacing that puppy soon just so I won't have to risk it next time.

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

I recommend taking out your ram to give you a little more room for installation. No, if you don't have to install you Cooler through your motherbaord, don't take the board out of the case. You have a greater chance of damaging your motherboard by removing it than you have when being careful and installing the cooler internally.
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Elvismen · Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2003 12:18 am Post subject: Temp?

30 @ idle and 37 working hard..

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

In this case, I think that he has poor case ventilation.
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