good CPU temps

RancidWAnnaRIot

EspantaPajaros
Joined
Feb 19, 2004
Messages
11,033
Hey guys.

What is considered a good temp range for a 3.0 Ghz P4?

What are considered dangerous temps for the CPU?
 
If it's under 50 load, then it's good... If it's under 55 load, then it's okay, but if it's over 55 load I'd look into doing something about cooling. High 40's load temps are considered good. Of course, the cooler, the better.

Of course, if you have an ABit board, things are different... You can generally subtract 10 degrees (or more, in some cases) from what an ABit's sensor tells you...
 
For a 3.0, 40 idle is good, while max of 55 is about right. Any higher and it may damage it.
 
General rule is that if it's stable, it's never too hot. Well, maybe when you get to around 60s on load, then you probably have cooling problems.

I get 55 load/43 idle from my 2.4 OCed to 3.2. I use an Abit though, so it's probably about 5 degrees above what other mobos would report (I don't think it's really as dramatic as 10, but maybe?)

edit: higher than 55 damages it? I've seen comps run at over 60, like many dell machines since they are passively cooled. All you're doing is shortening the chip's lifespan a little bit faster if you run it that hot for a prolonged time, but by the time the proc dies, I'd already have a new one anyways.
 
CPU Temperature vs Life expectancy
Semiconductor Electromigration In-Depth

rough rule of thumb:
Each 10°C (18°F) temperature rise reduces component life by 50%.
Conversely, each 10°C (18°F) temperature reduction increases component life by 100%.
the Arrhenius equation

the lower the better
I never allow mine over 50C (full load)

Originally posted by BillLeeLee
edit: higher than 55 damages it?

slowly, as it gets higher it rapidly decreases the life expectancy
(this is where the rule of thumb comes in)
 
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