temp

[Colder02]

Just finished creating my new computer very nice i must admit!!but i have a prob with the temp of the cpu. Over the past few days i have found that my cpu has risen from 45 degree to 54-60 degrees any ideas why this maybe happening??

[bwcc]

What is the processor and is it retail or OEM? Also look at your airflow design. Ideal design is to have an intake in the front of the machine and the P/S fan blow exhaust. Also, the P/S fan grill should be facing down towards the bottom of the case (thusly sucking the hot air up into the P/S and then out of the case). This will also help remove heat that is expended from the CPU heatsink and fan.

If it is an OEM processor, you may look at the type of heatsink/fan you are using on that and also using a different type of thermal grease (Artic Silver, etc).

[dunbar]

Slow and gradual rise, without any added CPU tasks at all, at the same conditions (same amount of time after system startup, etc)?
If yes, then maybe the thermal compound drying out, etc.
If you've added software.... first consider if anything is running; if yes, this is going to add work to a CPU that was once more idle, before you added stuff.

[Colder02]

i have a 2400xp retail.so what does this thermal compound do and where does it go??