My new build is now completely assembled and running fine. The only "problem" (which hasnt been a problem yet) is I cannot get the temperature below 50C. At idle after first booting the system, it will start out at about 49 and work its way up to 54C where it stays until a load is put on it. I figured out that according to the Windows task Manager and using Performance, that ripping a CD to my hard drive causes the CPU to run about 85%. It does this on my Dell also, so I figured it would be a good test to run to put a load on CPU. I did this with about 4 Cd's in a row and the Temp topped out at 61C. I have not been using it very much, just wanted to see how it would run.

I have lapped the heatsink very carefully, and applied the required amount of AS5. It went down from around 60C idle to the 54C mark. I am out of ideas, except to buy a new and better heatsink. I want to buy one from Newegg, but there are alot of different brands. Which brands are the best to use? I was looking at the Thermaltake 10+ I think it was. Also I want some different options (brands) to look at. I am looking to keep it below 30$ at the most. Is this the only option I have to help lower heat? I have 3 80mm case fans and the heatsink fan installed. I am going to be buying 2 more fans and istalling them, but it doesnt seem that that will get my temps in the 40's. Thanks.

Where are you getting these temp readings ?

What does your Bios temp show ?
At First Boot screen into Bios setup .
Then again after running for a short time and reboot into the bios .

Starting out at 49C ?
From boot to that in how many seconds ?

Are you sure the air intakes are clear and open ?.

Something is wrong for sure

I'm thinking you have the latest bios on that Gigabyte board (bios F12). pave_spectre had a problem with this bios and temps also. I and a friend experimented on his 7N400 board. We updated to the F12 bios and compared the temps to the readout from two thermal probes placed under the heatsink touching the edge of the cpu core. The temps were as much as 15 degrees different!!!!! With the previous bios the temps showed a difference of only 2-4 degrees.

If you change heatsinks (or not), try using a thermal probe to compare temps. I concluded that the readout in the bios and mbm5 were incorrect with the F12 bios.

Some temperature probes here (http://www.directron.com/sensors.html) . Compunurse being the least expensive.

Edit- as for heatsinks, I personally like Thermalright, but they can be expensive. For a good low price heatsink for the Barton 2500, look at the Vantec Aeroflow here (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=manufactory&catalog=62&manufactory=1453&description=&page=2)

I think my Bios version is the F4, I will have to check but I remember seeing that number. I am getting the temps from both the Bios and from MBM5. They seem to be about the same, maybe 1 degree difference. The bios will show about 49 or 50C when first started up after being shut down for the night. It only takes about 45 seconds to a minute after boot to reach 54-55C. It usually goes up to 58 during most usage, and only went to 61 while ripping the CD's. Any time I shut it down and check the bios temps, it will usually be around 55C. The air intakes are clear and the fans are spinning fine.

I read on the Gigabyte FAQ's somewhere that one earlier Bios is reading wrong, and when you update it the temps go up substantually and those are the right temps. I hope mine dont go up if I update. I looked at the Vantec Heatsink and it looks pretty cool. I dont know much about them, so any info on them will be very helpful. Is that what the problem may be, is the heatsink and/or the AS5 needing to be reapplied?

I've done a little searching and many people seem to get similar temps (50+) with the stock heatsink on the Barton 2500.

A new heatsink with a copper bottom may just bring the temps down to respectable levels. The Aeroflow is a good heatsink with a copper bottom. Some feel the TMD fan causes some vibration and noise.

You could look at the Thermalright SLK 900 (A) (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&manufactory=1444&catalog=62&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1) for $34. All copper. I use the prior version ,SLK 800 on a Barton 2800+ overclocked to 2.35 GHz and my temps never go above 40-42 degrees, even when stressed by a program like Prime 95 (and here in Taiwan the average room temp is about 28-30 degrees).

It is a BIG heatsink and comes without a fan. You can fit almost any size fan, from 70mm up to 90mm on it though. It will need lapping, but copper is much easier to lap. Check the dimensions to make sure it won't be too big, touching cpacitors.

And don't forget, if you lap, use an extremely thin layer of Arctic Silver.

While your at check out the 700 and 800 also
like this one

http://www.kdcomputers.com/eui/prime/profile/1158/78/component.htm

After several hours of looking at lots of Heatsinks, I chose to go with the Vantec Aeroflow that Malcore linked to. It had 4 or 5 solid reviews from Tom's hardware and some others. I also read the reviews from the people that purchased it, and it seems that more people liked it than not. I hope this will get my temps where they will be optimal.

Also, when applying the AS5, should the layer be so thin that you can see parts of the CPU core through it. Can there be a very small area that doesnt have the paste? Or should it be covered to where even the most miniscule parts should be completely covered? I went by the instructions on the website for AS5, but they dont completely answer every question that popped into my head.

You will want the layer to be as even as possible. When I do it, I put a small postit note on each side of the die and use an old credit card type plastic card to smooth it out. When I get the die covered to about the thickness of a piece of paper, I carefully pull off the notes and it leaves clean edges while protecting the body of the CPU clean. If it is not covered in some areas and is coated in others, the heat transfer will be uneven and that could lead to some problems. The layer that goes on the heatsink needs to be extremely thin, basically you smear it on and then wipe it off so that the metal looks slightly discolored. You just want that side to fill in any tiny holes/crevices in the heatsink. I hope that helps...

The location of the base unit can make a difference as well.

I keep mine on the floor next to the desk and was running at about 50c as well.

I slid a peice of plywood under it, (just a bit larger than the size of the case) to stop it sitting directly on the carpet (and therby sinking into the pile) My unit now runs at about 40- 42c.

and there's airflow as well: the correct positioning of the casefans and not obstructing airflow by lots of cable and such can make some difference as well.

Well my new heatsink should be here tomorrow. I will make sure and put a thin, even layer of AS5 on the CPU. I will also make sure and keep it up off the carpet to try and keep it cool( I guess carpet probably holds in alot of heat). I have two fans pulling air into the case and one under the Power supply blowing out. I plan on getting another to pull air in and another for exhaust. Does it make more sense to have more blowing in or more fans pulling air out of the case? I have a total of 5 spots for fans in my case. Two in front near base, two in back under PS, and one on the side panel.

Also, I have been meaning to ask, Can I use alcohol to clean off the entire die side of the CPU? I am wondering in case I had put too much on the first time and need to wipe it off. I heard if any AS5 gets on the other Circuits that the AMD chips have on them, it could short out. Thanks for the help guys.

I think you can use the alcohol to clean off the CPU, but I would be very careful about it... Also, the best bet is to mask it well so that you don't get any on it...

As with most things, there is argument about whether to have more intake or exhaust on the computer. I prefer more exhaust, but that may pull more dust in. It can be helpful to use a filter on the intake fans to reduce dust build up. I would put the side fan blowing out so it is less likely to disturb good air flow. You may have to experiment with them depending on how the temp goes...

Good luck with the process...

When you have more fans sucking air in than blowing it out, you get a positive air pressure in the case. This will make the excess air squeeze itself out of the case trough all the little cracks and vents, thus preventing that dust comes in that way.

However I have to agree with Budfred: if you get better temp readings with more fans blowing out and less sucking in, than a good cleaning every now and then serves just as well... :)

I installed the new heatsink and it has made a difference. The unit will now stay idle and with a light load around 47-48C. I have tried putting a load on it, and it will not go above 51C no matter what I try. It is almost a 10C difference from the stock heatsink. I am hoping it will go down at least a little (1-2C maybe?), since I hear that it may take a week or two of use for the AS5 to perform at its best. I did not lap the new heatsink as it has a the copper inset flush with its surrounding. I did not know if some particles would get between them and affect the transfer of heat. Thanks you guys for all your help, it is very much apprectiated. :)

Glad to hear the new cooler helped.

You now get to use this smiley:


:cool:

Great news... Hopefully it will go down a bit more since AS is supposed to take a few days to reach full effect...:) :cool: