Athlon 64 x2 5200 @ 80C

[wambulance]

Well, I got a crash today and didn't think much of it. So I rebooted and noticed comp. acting a little funny. I checked temperature at it was at 82C !!

So, I powered down and everything looked ok. CPU fan and all chassis fans are running (I'm normally at 40C under load).

Then I noticed a very thin film of dust on the heatsink. Removed it and of course back to 40C.

But here's my question; I've read the maximum temperature for this cpu is 65C. I've also read that only a few seconds above that can damage the chip. Should I be able to tell if there is significant damage, and how so? (seems to run fine right now), should I replace this chip just on principle?

[Steve R Jones]

Most even half way decent pc's will shutdown when the cpu gets too hot to avoid damage.

should I replace this chip just on principle?

WHich priniciple would that be

If it ain't broke - don't fix it

[wambulance]

Okie doke. I just never had a processor get that hot so didn't know if there was some protocol to follow after the fact. Funny that the thing was 12C above what is "melting" and still works. Guess I'm lucky.

Also, this overheating has been happening for some time. I noticed some slowdown once in a blue moon playing quake. Now that the heatsink is squeaky clean it doesn't happen anymore. I was thinking it had something to do with the SLI arrangement I had and was messing with that. Hahah, yeah I know, I'm stupid.

[Rootstonian]

I thought the threshold on CPU's was around the 90C mark, not 65C. I'm sure it varies chip to chip.

My Quad core 6600 is under no load right now, in a warm room and is pushing 60C; and I'm not even remotely worried about it

[wambulance]

Yeah, all chips are different. I checked several sources and it had AMD stating the max operating temp is 65C and various others saying 70C is when core melt begins.

I have noticed, as you mention, that Intel chips tend to operate at much higher temperatures, and are just fine doing so. You're probably pretty cool at 60C whereas I'm hot.

[KarmaKiller]

Intel chips generally start to have stability issues at mid 60's. 72°c is the highest you ever want your CPU to go. And at that temp, it's probably causing damage.
For AMD chips x2 chips, generally 65°c is the hottest you ever want it to go.