A few cooling questions

[Bbq]

Hey there. I have a few cooling questions, and I would appreciate it if you could answer them.

System specs:
AMD Opteron 146 CABYE 0536
ASRock 939dual-sata2
2x256 Crucial Ballistix DDR500
80gb Western Digital WD800
BFG 6600gt PCI-E
OCZ Powerstream 420

Zalman CNPS 7700 with a swapped Silverstone FM121, undervolted to 7v
Thermalright V1 with stock fan
Silverstone FM121 case fan


1. I have an AMD Opteron 146 overclocked to 2.4 ghz, on 1.45 volts. At first, I was getting about 38 degrees idle. Then yesterday, it went all the way up to 60 idle. I re-seated it, and it went down to 57 idle. Is this in some way normal? It's a Zalman CNPS 7700, with a swapped Silverstone FM121 fan. The fan isn't jammed, is spinning at full spead, the heatsink is making proper contact.
2. My Video card, a BFG 6600gt, was getting 47 idle. It wasn't too bad, except that it was loud. I picked up a Thermalright V1, installed it according to the instructions, and now it idles at 58. Any way to fix this? It's getting proper contact, a thin layer of thermal paste, and is properly installed.
3. Thanks for answering my questions.

 

[Bbq]

Anyone?

 

[Taradino]

My $0.02
#1
To be honest, I'm no conniseur in Thermal Compound qualities, however I do know from personal experience especially on CPU Dyes, you are supposed to just cover the actual CPU Dye. This is the Chip, not the full wafer that the cpu is attached to.
I find that by covering the entire wafer it causes a dramtic increase of CPU Temps. I don't know if this is something you have done.
In any case, try using Artic silver, or a reputable brand name of thermal compound, I know the silicon stuff that is like $1-$3 at a local PC shop, just melts under the high temps..

#2 Video Card LOUD! (Sorry I live with 5 computers on around me 24-7), Make sure it is clean of dust.
Take the card out of the pc into your hand, and spin the Fan, make sure it can spin easily. If dust gets into the fan, it can cause the bearings to go, which then the fan doesn't spin as well and heat builds up easier.
Try another type of thermal compound, I don't know what you use, however.