I wonder what I'm doing wrong... I have this CPU with Asus Crosshair II Formula nForce 780a SLI and in idle/browsing web, listening to music... it goes between 40 - 47 and in full load 54 - 56 ( and thats just playing games... prime 95.... 64c is the highest so far ) and this is with Zalman CNPS9700-NT nVidia Tritium CPU Cooler with thermal paste Zalman ZM-STG1 Super Thermal Grease. The computer case I got is Antec P182 Super Midi Tower Case.

This is the fourth time I've re-applied the thermal paste to this CPU ( stock cooler and the zalman )

The CPU is at standard clock 3.2 ghz with cool n quiet enabled in BIOS and windows and I have 1 in and 1 out fan in the top half of the case.

There are people out there saying they have this chip clocked higher than the standard... 3.4, 3.6 and the temps goes no higher than 45 - 48 with prime 95 ( depending on the clock )... so I'm wondering why I get 64c with 3.2ghz

I've also tried Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound (3.5g) and no difference.

I've tried only applying the paste to the heatsink and not the CPU and again but on the CPU aswell... no difference... I've spread the paste aswell in both cases

in my opinion... the airflow is good in my case

I don't do overclocking at all... and I mean exactly that... so no questions related to overclocking please...

Any suggestions?

Thanks

The mobo maybe overvolting the CPU.

How long did you leave the paste for before checking your temps?

Final8y said:

The mobo maybe overvolting the CPU.

Click to expand...

it goes to 1.350 at max according to CPU-Z. dunno if thats high or what... I set the BIOS to "Standard" when it comes to CPU settings... did try "Automatic" before... don't remember much but I think the temps were the same then

mjones1 said:

How long did you leave the paste for before checking your temps?

Click to expand...

I leave it for a few days although today I reapplied it and only left it for about 2 hours and another time it was over a week

what temp program are you using? amd overdrive reports mine around that idle, but in the BIOS its around 30/32 on idle

core temp ( main one I use )
everest
speedfan
asus pc probe ( inaccurate readings though )

I think it's reporting them correctly because the amount of heat that pumps out the back of my machine... I'm concerned really

can't explain it right now but I think it's the motherboard... I can't see why the CPU is heating like this unless it was a bad make which I doubt

It's probally just the cooler, arent they more for quietness than good cooling?

I'm running my 955 BE at 1.328v @ 3.6ghz, maximum load with prime95 is around 48c this is with using a Thermairight Ultra 120 Xtreme.

your heatsink more noisy? what fan you using with it?

and are the temperatures that I have... are they safe?

Final8y said:

The mobo maybe overvolting the CPU.

Click to expand...

think your right... all the software I use reports 1.350 but in the BIOS it constantly shows 1.400... so I manually set it to 1.350 and now prime95 it's goes between 58 - 60..... still too hot in my opinion

Nelly said:

It's probably just the cooler, arent they more for quietness than good cooling?

I'm running my 955 BE at 1.328v @ 3.6ghz, maximum load with prime95 is around 48c this is with using a Thermairight Ultra 120 Xtreme.

Click to expand...

I did some searching and yes the zalman was running hotter than the U120... nearly 10c higher in some cases

sinatosk said:

your heatsink more noisy? what fan you using with it?

and are the temperatures that I have... are they safe?

Click to expand...

I'm using a single YATE LOON 120mm - D12SL-12, only cost about £4 good value for money.

As for temps, below is the design spec for the AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 955 Black Edition 3.2GHz (Socket AM3)

Voltages: 0.875 - 1.5v

Max Temps: 62°C