Question about temps

[n64man120]

I'm looking to overclock my rig soon and first off I wanted to know what is the maximum temperature I can safely hit. I have a P4 2.8C aircooled. Also I have some problems reading my temps, the software Asus Probe monitor says the CPU temp is 30C but my Aerogate which has a temp sensor stuck inside the HSF reads 38C. I know the Aerogate sensor isnt in the best place but i figured sliding it inside the HSF would be close enough. Any idea why the readings are so different? The readings from Asus Probe and Aerogate for ambient temperatures are the same btw. Thanks

Eric

 

[Ice Czar]

alot of people try to keep it under 50c (the lower the better) over that electromigration starts to get progressively worse, as you go higher the higher the rate

as a rule of thumb for 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
http://www.shodor.org/UNChem/advanced/kin/arrhenius.html

on the other hand if you upgrade alot
people run em as hot as they will stably run

exactly how much degredation occurs within what time period
is highly variable

Intel Pentium 4 Processor on 90nm Process 2.80 GHz - 3.40 GHz PDF (if thats what you have instead of 0.13 micron)

and Processor Spec Finder @ Intel