50-55°C idle temperature

[Dird]

Hi guys,

According to the BIOS my CPU (Xeon E3-1220) runs at 50-55°C (idle in the BIOS). Is this likely to be a problem when doing other things or do Xeons have less variation from idle/load temps? I've attached a CPU fan to it running at 2300rpm~ I also have a 1300rpm case fan blowing down on to it but that seems to make no difference (compared to the location it was before)

 

[DirkGently1]

That seems very warm considering the speed of the fan. I assume there is also a heatsink somewhere in that arrangement and not just a fan?

Perhaps you should state what cooler/case/fan arrangement you have, along with how much TIM you used when fitting the HSF. (Assuming there is one).

 

[Dird]

I assume there is also a heatsink somewhere in that arrangement and not just a fan?

Perhaps you should state what cooler/case/fan arrangement you have, along with how much TIM you used when fitting the HSF. (Assuming there is one).

I guess the metal block is the heatsink? Here is my cpu cooler and my case except I also have an extra fan which is attached to the top side fan slot. I had it on the bottom side fan first but my graphics card is big & i guess it would block most of the airflow to the mobo. The case also includes a back fan (outgoing) so my airflow is like this:
http://i42.tinypic.com/1z1y109.png

By TIM you mean the paste? There was a small packet included with the fan. Enough to cover the surface of the fan～ then I added a tiny bit to the CPU surface to wipe it off my finger

 

[know of fence]

Hi guys,

or do Xeons have less variation from idle/load temps?

There appears to be no EIST (SpeedStep) a.k.a. automatic undervolting + underclocking technology present in Xeons. http://ark.intel.com/products/52269/
Instead for Xeons it's called Demand Based Switching apparently.

Is there any way you could monitor the frequency throttling (CPU-Z shows it), or enable DBS?

 

[Dird]

There appears to be no EIST (SpeedStep) a.k.a. automatic undervolting + underclocking technology present in Xeons. http://ark.intel.com/products/52269/
Instead for Xeons it's called Demand Based Switching apparently.

Is there any way you could monitor the frequency throttling (CPU-Z shows it), or enable DBS?

There should be a parameter in the BIOS named CPU-Z? what would I be looking for when monitoring? I'll have a look at the DBS setting; I would have thought it would be enabled by default though if it's a good thing～

 

[know of fence]

There should be a parameter in the BIOS named CPU-Z? what would I be looking for when monitoring? I'll have a look at the DBS setting; I would have thought it would be enabled by default though if it's a good thing～

All the BIOS are different, for instance my old Pentium 4 used to get really hot while in BIOS.

What I meant is to watch the frequency, using [url="http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html]CPU-Z[/url].

This (randomly picked) i5 is regularly clocked down to 1598 MHz and a corresponding low voltage, which allows for temperatures to drop in idle or low-load states even with normal cooling. "Core Speed" and "Multiplier" are constantly changing, but not all diagnostic programs are able to show it.
This process is fully scalable too. It's possible to ramp up frequency gradually, by playing concurrent videos for instance.
I was curious to see if your Xeon, also does this and by how much it drops the frequency.

 

[Dird]

What I meant is to watch the frequency, using CPU-Z.

Ok, I'll install this tomorrow & see. Still waiting on my HDD to arrive (tomorrow) then I'll install XP & have a look with CPU-Z and that other software I've forgotten now that lets you se the core temperatures on windows～

 

[DirkGently1]

That HSF you linked too doesn't look at all adequate for a Quad Core CPU running at 3.0GHz+. In fact it looks a bit tiny, especially as the heatsink itself is not much bigger than the 80mm fan on top of it.

You mentioned it running at 2300RPM? It must be a noisy ah heck at that speed too, surely?

 

[SpeedTester]

That HSF you linked too doesn't look at all adequate for a Quad Core CPU running at 3.0GHz+. In fact it looks a bit tiny, especially as the heatsink itself is not much bigger than the 80mm fan on top of it.

You mentioned it running at 2300RPM? It must be a noisy ah heck at that speed too, surely?

I totally agree with Dirk, that hsf doesnt look up to the standards of todays products. I had coolers that looked better on my Opteron's ie copper base, al fins or the next gen with heatpipes.

 

[Kenmitch]

Depending on the MB being used the idle temps in bios are not really a true idle temp. Once built and in the OS check your true idle temps. Most likely they will be much lower....And I agree the cooler does look somewhat whimpy and outdated.

 

[Dird]

That HSF you linked too doesn't look at all adequate for a Quad Core CPU running at 3.0GHz+. In fact it looks a bit tiny, especially as the heatsink itself is not much bigger than the 80mm fan on top of it.

You mentioned it running at 2300RPM? It must be a noisy ah heck at that speed too, surely?

Unless I put my ear right next to the case I don't hear the fans. The cooler cost around $4.50 (although made & sold in china, reduced delivery cost~) so I guess it won't be top range~

What would you suggest then? The Noctura NH-D14 costs more than my mobo and almost as much as my 500gb HDD!

 

[ctk1981]

Newegg has the cooler master 212+ on sale for 19.99

 

[Dird]

Newegg has the cooler master 212+ on sale for 19.99

I bought 2 sticks of 2g RAM for that >_< I can't find it in China not sold on any of 4 websites (including newegg.com.cn)

edit: I just emailed the chinese support to ask them~ they list 2 online sellers but neither has it listed~

 

[Kenmitch]

I bought 2 sticks of 2g RAM for that >_< I can't find it in China not sold on any of 4 websites (including newegg.com.cn)

edit: I just emailed the chinese support to ask them~ they list 2 online sellers but neither has it listed~

1st time I visited newegg.cn and I must say it's hard to navigate without knowing the language

Maybe something like this Corsair

http://www.newegg.com.cn/Product/A33-0XY-1K3.htm?FPA=4

 

[Dird]

http://www.newegg.com.cn/Product/A33-0XY-1K3.htm?FPA=4

Yea I don't navigate; just search for names/words in english for the most part. Is it the camera angles or is that thing completely huge? :x I'll wait to see what the CM support say about the product~ since its the company itself that is selling the products on those 2 websites, if its $20 in newegg US then maybe itll be $15-18 here

 

[TakeNoPrisoners]

Try the Hyper 212 Evo.

 

[Dird]

Try the Hyper 212 Evo.

Same

 

[ctk1981]

Wow....even using google chrome and translation thats a nightmare to try and dig around. Alot of knockoffs too. I was going to recommend one, but then I seen it had three heatpipes and a questionable base. Ouch.

If you want quality, I think you're going to have to spend a little because I'm seeing a lot of crap over there at the newegg.com.cn. And to get half way decent cooling, most of the coolers are going to be "large" especially compared to what you have now.

 

[Dird]

Wow....even using google chrome and translation thats a nightmare to try and dig around. Alot of knockoffs too. I was going to recommend one, but then I seen it had three heatpipes and a questionable base. Ouch.

If you want quality, I think you're going to have to spend a little because I'm seeing a lot of crap over there at the newegg.com.cn. And to get half way decent cooling, most of the coolers are going to be "large" especially compared to what you have now.

This is their official newegg store but they only have a few http://www.newegg.com.cn/FlagshipProducts/160/0.htm

 

[ctk1981]

Doesnt have to be a coolermaster, just suggested that because I assumed you were in the US and they had it on sale pretty cheap. I think I saw corsair listed at newegg.com.cn also, they make good coolers.

 

[Dird]

I've found 212+ for $31: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=14301460946
also found this but I can't find it on western sites $11: http://www.360buy.com/product/552138.html
or this which is in the middle range of the two: http://www.360buy.com/product/260349.html

 

[ctk1981]

Edit, changed my mind. Go with the 212+. It has been well tested and proven, the other two I have no clue how they would perform.

 

[Dird]

Edit, changed my mind. Go with the 212+. It has been well tested and proven, the other two I have no clue how they would perform.

Ok, the problem with the 212+ is it's sold on China's version of eBay and not by the actual company...and it's China so whether it's really the 212+ or not...a couple are showing pictures with built in lights :s

 

[ctk1981]

Yeah I guessed that might be a problem there. Some of the stuff says coolermaster but doesn't look to be built very well, but its hard to say what a company sells in other markets.

I guess should also mention it might be possible you have too much thermal paste. Generally you apply a small amount to the cpu and spread it around as thin as possible....a single edge razor blade works good.....or apply a BB sized drop to the cpu and mount the cooler, letting the pressure of the mount spread it for you.

You might try moving the side fan to the front of the case also, see if that makes any difference.

Check the bios and see what the voltage is set at for the core. Lets try and rule out everything else before we have you go spending money on another cooler.

 

[Dird]

Ok I installed everything & according to RealTemp the idle temperatures of the 4 cores averages between 31-37°C. RealTemp software is likely to be accurate?