Good computer temp?

W

wherzwaldo

1,000+ Posts
For those that remember my thread last week, I'm just now putting together my new computer. It has an MSI motherboard running an Athlon 64 3000+ and an ATI Radeon 9600 standard video card. Right now I've just got all the power connections hooked up and haven't started setting up an OS yet*. I've been monitoring the computer temps from BIOS and am unsure whether I need to add a couple more fans. There are already four 80mm intake fans (two front, two side) and one 60mm exhaust fan (back) in the case, and two 70mm fans inside for circulation.

At idle, the CPU runs at about 41C and the motherboard reports a "system temp" of 34C. However, when I stuck an independent temperature sensor inside the case, it reported anywhere from 26-30C depending on where I put it. Since the 34C was at idle, should I be worried about when it gets hotter during games and stuff? I've used a laptop for three years, so I'm not up to speed on what's good for a desktop unit.

* - How hard is it to transfer a WinXP product key from one computer to another?
 
my System is at 30 and CPU is at 43. <- athlon xp 2000+ with the HS/Fan that comes in retail.

i've always found it weird that people's case is cooler than the CPU. a friend told me this before and i didnt believe him till i actually saw the reading.
 
From reading the quiet pc noise forums I think you're ok until you hit the 60C range. Your other major concern should be the HD. It probably shouldn't get above 50C if you want a decent lifespan. Would be good to run a burn in program for about 30 minutes and see what the temps register then.
 
my old XP 2100+ just about bit the dust last week. I noticed that it had been acting strange (reboots, random crashes, etc) so I checked the temps in the bios. It was averaging 61-62 C. I turned it off immediately and cracked open the case. The CPU was so hot I had to wait ten minutes or so to disconnect it from the CPU. When I did, I found that the thermal strip between the die and the heatsink had melted and was dripping off the side of the CPU!
eek.gif


I went to Fry's a couple of days ago and got the 2600+ barton and a new NForce2 mb. That barton now runs a hell of a lot cooler (32 C) and the Nforce2 chipset is much more reliable than that old KT333 Via chipset.

BTW, I didn't want to have to reinstall Windows XP, so I found some good info about replacing motherboards and keeping your existing Windows XP installation at:
The Link
 
I am running a AMD 64 3200 at 33.8 oC right now. The highest I ever got was around 40-41. I have the thermometer stuck to the heatsink. I am told you worry when it reaches the 60 mark.

I have yet to overclock though. Porobably wont I have been compiling on a pentium 3 and this PC is 2-3 times faster. Which coincidentally that is what they promise.
 
Thanks. As it turns out, the BIOS temps weren't completely correct. With WinXP, the CPU is idling at about 36C, maxes out at about 45-47, and the temp inside the case is 26. I guess that assload of fans I bought is paying off.

And the WinXP reactivation procedure is completely painless. After 10 minutes of talking to an automated system over the phone, I had the product key transferred to the new computer. Considering the way Microsoft can be, it was almost too easy.

This computer absolutely flies. My 120GB SATA hard drive was completely formatted (not using the "quick" NTFS format) in less than two minutes.
 
while we're on this topic, i have a question.

i have a fan on the side of the case that blows air out.

it came that way attached to the side panel.

should i flip it?
 
I make a good effort to run components at around 40-45C. If it ever hits 55, I know it's time to reconsider my cooling method. I wouldn't ever run stuff at over 60. I've also noticed that ventilation/airflow can really impact that temperature. One of my TiVos was running at 55, and by just raising the unit one inch and building an air dam with weather stripping between the left and right undersides, I was able to drop that temp to 45.
 
well, i do have one in the front as intake and one in the back blowing air out.

i was just perplexed on the fan on the side.

i guess i'll leave it blowing out.
 
Both of my side fans came as exhaust and I turned them around. I did that before I turned everything on though, so I don't know what the circulation would've been like with them as exhaust.

A friend of mine did tell me that, depending on where the side fans are, they could suck out all the air you just sucked in with the front fans. If it's close to the back of the case near the PCI slots, it's probably fine to have it as exhaust.
 
What kind of laptop do you have? If it's an Inspiron 8000+, I know of a good program to use.

Laptops do run hotter than desktops. The 1ghz Pentium 3 on my laptop idled at around 50C and got as high as 70C. So if your laptop feels hot, it's no reason to freak out. Laptop components are designed to use less power and tolerate more heat. 80-90C is a good place to start getting worried.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Weekly Prediction Contest

* Predict HORNS-AGGIES *
Sat, Nov 30 • 6:30 PM on ABC

Recent Threads

Prediction Results Threads

2024 Schedules

Back
Top