Hello everyone,

The build is finally over...it took much longer than I initially thought.

Anyway, my CPU is getting 37-39C idle. It seemed a bit high compared to what I've seen you all talk about, and I am wondering if it is worth re-seating my CPU & Heat Sink.

Thoughts?

Im installing Win7 as I type on the laptop, so I have not yet tried any of the testing programs/full load programs.


Speaking of which, what programs do you recommend to use for testing components of a newly built rig?


Thank you!

I'm overclocked and idle at 30-32C with the same fan you have.

Keep in mind you have to give time for the thermal paste to do its thing - usually takes a few days. Also, don't base temps on what the BIOS says. Use something like RealTemp

I still use Prime95 to stress CPU.

 

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For Temperature, I usually install hwmonitor.
http://cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html

Since I have a dual-lcd setup, I also install a cpu performance monitor gadget on the right screen and that requires another program to be installed to read temperatures and such. I forget the name but you can find it in the Gadget library on the MS page and it is fairly popular. (I am typing this from my laptop).

Also, the website above has CPUZ and a few other programs that can be useful.

For Testing, I usually run the Prime95 torture test (2 instances) for about 15 minutes and see what the case and cpu heat get up too. Then I will run them again over night and see if everything is working ok and make sure I don't have a bad stick of memory or anything.

I sometimes run that Memory program (forget the name) as well via USB stick over night to check it.

 

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Maybe. Just be aware that so many people are absolutely full of it and they think their cpu temp for some reason violates basic logic / laws of thermodynamics. Your heatsink is also not very large. Quite a few people are running one that is gigantic (increased size = more surface area = bigger fan + more room to disperse heat).

For example, the one I'm using is http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103055

You'll note that it appears to be 3x the size, and I don't think it would fit in a case much smaller than an Antec 1200 lol.

At any rate, load temps are what you really want to watch for. If those get to high you might have a problem.

I have Prime95 & Hardware Monitor running right now, and plan on running it just for another 2 hrs or so while I am out of the house.

How do I capture both CPUID Hardware Monitor and Prime95 results, so I can show you all the results for comments/suggestions/improvements?

I tried to copy/paste Hardware Monitor, but was unable to do so.


Thank you!

I just installed hwmonitor just to see what my temps were. What's the AUXTIN reading, it's grouped with SYSTIN and CPUTIN? Mine says 119°C (246°F). That doesn't sound good. btw my CPU temps are right around 32°C idle.

edit: Never mind about the AUXTIN temps. Just read that I probably don't have the sensor for what it's trying to read, so it's nothing to worry about.

 

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Not everybody is "full of it".

Temps can, and do, vary depending on far more than just what heatsink you have on the cpu. Ambient room temps, case size, case setup, is the case well tidy or is it a spaghetti of cables/wires, number of fans/setup, just one graphics card or two, etc.

While each may be a small amount, several can add up to 10 or 15 C difference between two different users with same cpu/heatsink.

I will agree with you that load temps is what need to be watched. Your chips life span isn't really impacted by idle temps.

 

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I didn't say that everyone was. I've seen a lot of people make claims that their temps are at or below ambient temperature and frankly those are suspect at best.