CPU idles @ 67C

**J1mmy** · May 3rd, 2011, 07:16 PM

Well, it seems that I thought my temps being normal was actually way off from what they should be. I overclocked my Q8200 on Striker II Extreme to 3.0GHz at its idle at 66. BUt even at no OC its at 45-50 idle. System ambient at 45C

I have two problems.

My case is not a full ATX case I don't think its quite small, in fact I had to make modifications to accommodate my extra hard drive because they only come with a few slots. So maybe the size might be one of issues causing the heat.

I am interested in this fan Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus, I am open to recommendations to being the temps down, but again, I don't know if it'll fit either..

**-FMA** · May 3rd, 2011, 09:48 PM

What case exactly do you have and how many fans? Configuration? (location/intake and exhaust) That cooler is consistently recommended on many of the sites I lurk. (I really only post here) I'm not an OC expert so I won't overstep my knowledge here but if you're doing a big OC you may want to think of a better cooler, though many get good results with the cooler you've picked out. I just don't know that CPU's normal temp and how much you've OC'd it, but if it's modest, I can say that it's the #1 recommend cooler I see, but again not for a major OC. You don't need a full tower to have good cooling. It helps, especially if you max out the fans, but a lot of that is also to help keep temps down from all the extra components a large case can accommodate.

**JPMiller** · May 3rd, 2011, 10:38 PM

CM 212+ is pretty tall, you may not have clearance...
Again, like FMA said, we need pics or specific specs

**J1mmy** · May 4th, 2011, 09:36 AM

2 exhausts at back, 1 intake at the front.

ASUS VENTO A2 Case. GTX 260 4 HDDS, 8GB RAM DDR3

Some pics attached, apologize for the quality, but it might give a rough idea.

**-FMA** · May 5th, 2011, 12:36 AM

Are you positive the intake fan is functioning properly? You do seem to have proper cooling though or enough to not have temps as high as you're having.

I don't mean to question your abilities but is it possible you applied the thermal paste incorrectly? And how are you monitoring your temps? Have you checked them in the BIOS?

**JPMiller** · May 5th, 2011, 01:15 AM

A. it may be the picture quality, but it looks like you have a buttload of dust clogging up that heatsink...

B. get rid of those godawful filters...
They serve NO purpose filtering out the air being exhausted from the case, hell, I don't even believe in intake filters...

C. you cant check temps in the Bios... your at the lowest possible usage within the Bios so it has no real world value...
the temp readings are only as good as the temp probes...
the best gauge is often just feeling the heatsinks while being under load...
and feeling the exhaust for how warm it is..

**J1mmy** · May 5th, 2011, 07:32 AM

Well there is only one intake fan at the front in the common position at the bottom, but that has a filter on it too.

I used to filter to prevent my fans getting covered in dust, its an easy clean.

I never check temps in BIOS, they're always using some software whilst logged in.

And as for heatsink, that colour is silver, but the dust isn't as bad on there as it is on the those filters.

Perhaps a good clean might help, but I'm not convinced it will dramatically lower my temps

**JPMiller** · May 8th, 2011, 03:03 AM

Why would you think it isn't the MAIN reason your temps are high...
The filters themselves drastically reduce airflow, then you clog what little airflow you have with dust and you may as well turn your fans off altogether...
Its basic airflow 101...
And again the filters on the outflow fans is retarded, what purpose could that possibly serve?
I can pretty well guarantee SEVERAL degrees drop just by blowing out all the dust...
and several more by removing the filters altogether.