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Swiftech MCX64-V Question

S

Shemazar

n00b
Joined
Apr 14, 2004
Messages
27
Hi folks,

I just built a new computer using an AMD-64 3200+ (ClawHammer) processor and a Swiftech MCX64-V heatsink on the popular MSI K8N Neo Motherboard. From most of the reviews I've seen of this heatsink, it's supposed to cool really well. Last night, I noticed, even when I wasn't really doing anything with my computer (just browsing), the temperatures were constant around 50-53 degrees Celsius. This isn't really inline with what I was expecting, so I am curious if it sounds as if I made a mistake when installing the heatsink.

It was the first time for me using the thermal compound (Arctic Alumina -- ceramic based thermal compound), and think I may have used too much. Would using too much cause the CPU temperatures to be this high? If so, could I just remove the heatsink and remove some of the thermal compound and reseat it?

Thanks.
 
It's most likely the motherboard giving you a false temperature reading. Lots of people are having problems with temp readings and that particular motherboard. You can check it out in the MSI forums . If you're certain that the heatsink is seated properly, then feel the base of the heatsink to see if it really is that hot. If it feels cool to the touch then you shouldn't worry about things. Hopefully MSI will have a BIOS update soon that fixes this problem, as I've also just bought the board. I haven't gotten around to putting my system together though, so I can't verify the temp problem.
 
I had read about the MSI mis-reporting temperatures, but it only seemed to be for those using the NewCastle cores. Also, looking at those instructions, at step 10 I probably used 4 times that amount, and spread it around with a razor blade all over the CPU heatspreader. Think I might clean it all off and try putting it on again and see what happens.
 
Just the fan that comes with the retail version of the heatsink. Not sure, but it runs at 2700 RPM and is fairly nice I would imagine for a $50 heatsink.
 
If you check the MSI forums there is a new beta bios out that seems to be fixing some people's temp problems. I also have a clawhammer 3200+ was having temp problems. I still think they are a little off but MSI is slowly correcting the problem. Make sure you don't use too much arctic silver, it will raise your temp compared to a thin layer. the new version bios is 1.2A. Hope this helps.
 
Reapplied tonight with a very thin layer as per everyone's suggestion, and on the first boot it was around 38-39 celsius, with the system temperature around 40 celsius (something is wrong with this number for certain).

I did some video encoding to stress the CPU out at 100% for about 30 minutes, and it said the CPU reached 61 degrees C max. Afterwards, the CPU idled around 50 degrees C, and the System temperature was even or just a degree or two higher. This can't be right... system temperatures can't be 50 degrees celsius, or something would catch on fire. I took off the case just to check, and it definitely wasn't 50 degrees C inside.. heh, something has to definitely be wrong with the MSI temperature readings.

My ClawHammer is a C0 revision (5AP), and using the bios that came on the board at the moment (v1.10)
 
Yeah in the first bios I think it reads the northbridge temp and incorrectly reports it as the case temp...since then MSI has corrected this problem.
 
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