CPU temperature question????

**vicarious george** · January 2nd, 2003, 12:11 AM

Here is my situation:

I built this computer with the following:
P4 2.53
Asus P4PE
Ti4200s
512mb DDR333
Chieftec case

My computer idles around 42deg/C, and reaches 54deg/C under heavy load. (MOHAA, UT2003).

These temperatures seem a little high to me, especially since I am not overclocking the system.

The following conditions can be taken into account:

a.) I am monitoring the temp w/ ASUS PCProbe. (which I've heard reads a little on the high side.)
b.) I did not use thermal paste when installing the heat-sink. (Intel's instructions said there was no need, due to the heat transfer strip.)
c.) I only have the two OEM 80mm exhaust fans in the back of the case. (I installed an intake fan in the front, but it did not decrease the temperature, and was thus removed.)
d.) I upgraded the PSU to an Antec True430. (the stock case PSU was garbage.)
e.) I have rounded IDE cables to maximize airflow. (as shown below.)

Now, should I worry about the temperature, or am I just paranoid? Is this average for a system like this? I've seen a lot of members with temperatures in the mid 30's.

**cracked** · January 2nd, 2003, 12:22 AM

well, i dunno how much i can help, but just to give u a little info, when i first built my system i had a 1.4ghz athlon and it ran w/ appr. the same temps. i added thermal paste and temps decreased by about 5 degrees. imo ur system is fine, but thermal grease wouldnt hurt. afaik over 60 degrees is when u should start worrying.

drew

**Gomer** · January 2nd, 2003, 12:23 AM

Since you added an intake and saw no change... it sounds like a problem with the interface btween heatsink and proc. Didja remove the protective strip from the thermal film when you built it?

**ragtop** · January 2nd, 2003, 12:43 AM

Temps do seem a little high although not dangerous. And yes, the Asus boards are pretty famous for reading high on the CPU temps.

It wouldn't hurt to pull the HSF, clean things up, and put some arctic silver in there to improve heat flow. Also, make sure the fan is running at the proper speed and in the proper direction (most blow toward the heat sink)

Once you do those things, I wouldn't sweat it unless you start having stability problems.