I hate to become the newbie that spams the boards, so I apologize if I'm doing that.

My problem (this time around) is this: TEMPERATURE!
I've been working on the computer with the side of the case removed... I have installed windows and was just setting up some primary software (zipmagic, video drivers, etc). Now, I have my BIOS set to warn me the CPU temp gets too high. I had only been running windows for around an hour or so when the temp alarm goes off. I checked the temp to find out it's at
52°C/127°F. I shut the computer off, and let it cool for a quick test.

I removed the side panel from the case, and powered on the computer. Right off the bat, the CPU was at 33c/91f. Within a couple minutes, it was at 40c/104f. I added the side panel (which should increase temperature a bit) and let it sit for another couple of minutes. It got up to 44c/111f.

So then I booted up windows, and let it sit there doing nothing for about 3 or 4 minutes. I check the temp again, and it's at 46c/115f.

Am I nuts, or is this just too hot? When I first got the temp warning, it was at 52c/127f. I can't imagine what it would be like under a full load!

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Eep Opp Ork,
-Snarfleez.

[This message has been edited by Snarfleez (edited 06-14-2002).]

well, I'm not a processor genius like some here are- but we would need to know what your system consists of.

additionally, sometimes the computer will stay cooler with the case all put together as it's supposed to be- (cross ventilation of fans)

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif



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sea1_69@hotmail.com

winXP Recovery Console (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q314058)



homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/index.html)

What CPU are you running?

Did you use the thermal compound that came stock on the heatsink or did you add your own?

what kind of fans and how many in the case?


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mjc
Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

lol, should have forseen this. Of course, you want specs.
Okay, here's some specs.
mobo: Abit kr7a-133
CPU: AMD Athlon 1900+
HSF: Thermalright sk6

And yes, I used arctic silver thermal compound.

All that aside... I'm asking about the processor specifically. I know AMD processors run a little hotter than Pentiums, but isn't 52°c (127°f) a bit high?

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Eep Opp Ork,
-Snarfleez.

well. one thing is your comp can run at 50 degrees celcius. from what amd says thats ok just dont let it get up near 70 degrees celcius. now onto your problem. you say the temp jumps up to 50 when you got the side panel on . add some case fans . i run one on the front and one near the back and my temp with my amd xp runs about 40 degrees or lower depending on the ambient room temp . one other thing you can do is run a faster fan on your processor and bigger heat sink like a thermaltake dragon orb 3 or similar. only problem with those are they scream because of the speed almost sounds like a jet engine. i hope the case fans help and my answers help also plz post back if it works for you it worked for me

Ambient temperature has a lot to do with what can be accomplished with air cooling. A nice cool air conditioned environment as opposed to a PC tower hid under a desk.

AMD tells us that the XP series chips are safe to a 90C degree situation. The Athlon series are good for 72C degrees. I'd really hate to push one this far.

I was disappointed with the SK6 performance myself. Even using the HiPo fan. The Volcano 7 and 7+ does much better. The AX7 even moreso.

Remember that trying to dissapate heat caused by 70 Watts of juice traveling around within a wafer thin chip-die is not easy.

Luck.



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I spent a lot of money on women... liquor... motorcycles.
The rest I just wasted.

I have the XP 1800 and am runnin about 145ish on the processor temp. I don't run my AC unless its at night and i am sleeping so the ambiant temp can get in the 80-85 degree range. No case fans although I should probably put some in, I was thinking about getting a fan just to blow through the case but more dust is a concern.

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I can feel the wheel, but I can't steer
When my thoughts become my biggest fear
Ah, what's the difference, I'll die
In this sick world of mine

Snarfleez,

Same MB with Athlon XP 1800+, CPU temp sometimes gets to 55 deg C when the ambient reaches into the 80's(no a/c) and I'm playing a flight sim, no problems over the last few months.

Piggybacking on what Sea said:

Running PC with case open like running car AC with all windows open - In winter one thing, in summer another - neither are optimum environments for your PC components

Not to mention all that dust et al fouling parts etc

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif

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Good Judgement comes from Experience - Experience comes from Bad Judgement - but bad judgement is more fun!!

The SK-6 is a little on the weak side for a 1900+. You would be better off with the AX-7, or if you can hold out long enough, the new 80mm SLK-800 is coming out in the next couple of months.

I have a lot of case ventilation and a ducted AX-7 with 53cfm Mechatronics fan cooling the hottest TBird chip they made, the 1.4GHz TBird 266, and whilst I'm typing this, ambient room temp is 22C and my processor is at 40C. Not too bad, eh?

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This space reserved for highly intelligent observations and witty remarks.

This message has not been edited by BigBlue66.

[This message has been edited by BigBlue66 (edited 06-15-2002).]

Different makes/models of Mboards will give accurate/inaccurate CPU temperature readings. Someday all Mfg's of AMD Mboards will design their boards to read the built in Thermistor within the XP series chip for better accuarcy toward temperature readings of the CPU. There are Mods that can be done to obtain the Thermistor reading.

The temperature probe located within the ZIF socket basically isn't giving us anything but a reading of the air temperature below the CPU. Especially if a person is using the XP series chip.

This "plain vanilla" PC that I use for internet stuff runs an 1800+ and a Volcano 7+ (copper w/5K rpm 80mm fan). I backed it up with a software program called CPUCool. The system temperature reads 32C and the CPU temperature reads 35C. CPUCool can be toggled off if I want the CPU entirely free for anything super heavy duty.

Sometimes it's difficult to understand but a CPU will heat-up, run it's warmest, when it has nothing to do but idle around.

Admittedly I am a Wimp and have the AC running when I'm hanging out in the Casa. Nothing like 100F outside to get a persons attention.


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I spent a lot of money on women... liquor... motorcycles.
The rest I just wasted.

[This message has been edited by ranchdog (edited 06-15-2002).]

Hey all.
Thanks for the great feedback. I thought it sounded rather high...I still do, actually. But the census seems to be that the AMD XP will handle this temp just fine. That being said, I may still try a better HSF in the future... perhaps one of the ones mentioned here, either the volcano or the AX-7.

Since the discussion seems to have generated so much opinion, let me throw out a question for curiosities sake!
Question: What Heatsink/fan do you use on your AMD system, and which HSFs do you prefer?

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Eep Opp Ork,
-Snarfleez.

As stated earlier, I'm at the moment using an AX-7. I have used and still have two SK-6, Zalman Flower 6000cu, Vantec CCK 6035D, and lately found that the all copper ProGamer HSF from CompUSA (looks exactly like the 6035D, except with a slower fan) works well to cool two one gig TBirds and two 1.2 gig TBirds.

I will probably spring for the new SLK-800 when it hits the shelves.

I also lap all my heatsinks.

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This space reserved for highly intelligent observations and witty remarks.

This message has not been edited by BigBlue66.

I have a question that somehow relates to this topic; since i've seen that some posts state different top temperatures for different processors, i wonder which is a safe top temp setting for an AMD K6-2 500 mhz. Till now, i think i've had it set at 50 celsius. Thank you very much

Don't worry about this!
My CPU's temperature is higher than yours. Here's my CPU's temperature report:
My CPU: Duron 750
Temperature: >70*C (>80*C in hot day).
My system is working properly at such high temperature.