CPU core temperature limits?

SeK612

SeK612

SeK612

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Joined
5 Aug 2007
Posts
27
I just have the stock CPU heat sink on my processor at the moment. I don't stress it too much (little or no gaming) but have noticed that it's starting to work hard at times (to a level at which the fan becomes pretty distracting when the machine is on).

The core temperatures are the highest. Normally SpeedFan puts them at around 70C-75C. This jumps towards 80C when the computer is put under some stress (video file playback with a few apps open).

The machine generates a lot of heat and has been quite unstable at times (it's posting BSOD which don't appear to be related to the high temperatures, but sure they're not helping).

Is it okay to leave the computer operating at such temperatures or should I be looking for a new heat sink (the issue with this is that I've had bad luck with fitting heat sinks in the past, so attempting to add another might fry the CPU entirely).


Here's SpeedFan at typical temperatures - http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/5636/speedfanpz4.jpg

Here's the computer under heavy stress (whilst running a memory test, the temps were still climbing pretty fast) - http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/8821/speedfanks3.jpg
 
Download Core Temp and see what it says.

If it's the same then there's a serious problem. I would check to ensure that the cooler is correctly seated.
 
I installed the program at http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

It showed similar temperatures to SpeedFan. The first image is upon boot up (the machine was off for 10-15 mins). The second is with the memory test running (this seems to highlight the problem as it's running a heavy CPU and memory process, normal stress for the machine would see temps of around 80+C).

The heat sink seating should be sound (due to the continuous issues I have with heat sinks and processors I gave it to someone else, who is much more experienced, to fit). The fan works okay and appears to be on the CPU as it should be.

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/5742/coretempt1iy2.jpg
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/2707/coretemp2uz0.jpg
 
I opened the case and wiggled the heat sink a little. The was no movement and all four of the push pins seem to be in the motherboard correctly.

Could it be an issue with the motherboard (not powering the fan properly) or could it be a lack of thermal past (I'd assume there's some in there though).

Is it okay to run the computer with core temperatures that high. Will it wear components more quickly or cause other damage (and is the CPU likely to burn out).

What would the options to fix it be. Should I get a new case (I've currently got a Antec sonata III case but it's a little cramped when it comes to extra fans and large heat sinks) and a new heatsink or just try to remount the current stock cooler (bearing in mind I'd want to touch the CPU as few times as possible given my bad experiences with them in the past).
 
those temps are way too high. Your idle temps are higher than my load temps by a large margin, infact if I saw your idle temp as my load temp I'd change my settings and improve airflow to lower it.

Stock coolers dont cut it.
Get a good cooler with a large heatsink and fan, 120mm best.
Take your side panel off to improve airflow.
If your PC is under your desk or in an enclosed space take it out, make sure there is room behind and around the PC to allow hot air to be moved away from the PC.
 
In the end I attempted to fit an existing heat sink I have (an Asus Sqaure Pro which I got with the PC but wasn't fitted, due to handing the PC to someone else to fix after the initial CPU was dead on arrival).

I couldn't see anything too wrong with the stock cooler. The paste looked a little thick (as I understood it it needs to be a thin scraping just to smooth out bumps in the CPU top or heat sink bottom).

Currently the new temps are reported at around 53C idle and 75C under heavy load (Idle:http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/4699/coretempap2.jpg Load:http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/8384/coretemp2gl3.jpg).

This is possibly still a little high. The room the computer is in traps and retains heat though the case does have a large fan at the rear (just by the heat sink).

Possibly a slightly larger and more ventilated case might help (the computer is under an open Ikea unit so it has quite a bit of room to breath). My existing case does have the option to add in a second fan near the hard disk drives (though I don't have a spare one to hand) which might help?
 
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