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j282

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 12, 2006
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I've read a lot about cpu temps, but I still would like some input. I have an old socket A athlon xp 2600 that I have overclocked to about 2.3GHz. When I first got it a year or so ago, it would only get into the mid 40C at it's top load, but now it's staying around 49C to 54C. I haven't seen it above 54C and it usually only gets up there after the computer has been on all day. I've read that anything below 60 is fine. How long should this cpu last at these temps. Also I just put on a new heatsink that got good reviews on ebay, but it did not make much of a difference, I did change the case and its fans. The case definitely does not get as much air flow as the last, should this make a huge difference. Any ideas on how I can cool this things temp down. I'm worried because this summer my rooms temp is going to go way up and I'm afraid the cpu will climb into higher temps. Thanks
 
good air flow int he case in critical - no air in, then no air to cool off the CPU

Did you apply your thermal paste correclty?
 
The heatsink came with the grease pre-applied, but I will admit to not doing a whole lot of research on whether the old stuff needed to come off. It looked like the cpu was still pretty clean, so I just slapped it on. I think you are right about the air flow being the problem, I will change the fans and see how it does. Thanks
 
Its all in the little details, and cumulatively can make a big difference. Invest in a small tube of Arctic Silver as5 and spread a thin-thin layer across the core, and clean off the old goop now on the heatsink. What Mr-G said is true about case air management . If hot air is trapped in the case, ambient air temps there rise. More fans isn't always the answer. A well placed 120mm fan will do the work of a couple noisy 80's. If practical, think about a blowhole in the top of the case. All those wide IDE flat cables can impeed airflow.....tuck'm all away and keep the case wiring neat and hidden as much as possible. Aluminum cases disipate heat better than steel.
 
Those temperatures are just fine, j282. The chip should run for many years at those temps, They're well within safety limits.
 
60-65°C is the max safe temp for an Athlon 64, but an XP is good up to around 80-85°C
 
have you dusted off the cpu heatsink lately? Dust is a good insulator, which, coincidentally, is bad for heat dissipation :p Also check your intakes to see if they're filled with dust bunnies.

Those temps are still well within the safe range, though
 
Cool, thanks for all the help every one. I will get some of that artic silver stuff and change some of the fans. The case is pretty clean and I'm using round cables, but I will take a look in there for any problems with dust. I think someone wanted to know the room temp, i'ts probably around 60F most of the time, but this summer it will get hot 80F.
 
yeah remove all traces of the thermal compound with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) or 99% isopropyl if you can find it and then replace with a thin ass layer of AS5 and see what happens, wait a few days to get all fired up about the temps as AS5 needs a burn in time.. check for dust in the case and evaluate your airflow. make sure the room temperature and the case inside temp are the same, if its higher, your airflow needs help.
 
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