CPU temps (Athlon XP)

[Lonyo]

What's an "average" temperature (load and idle) for an Athlon XP?
I have a 1900+ and it runs about 48c idle and sometimes up to 55c load, is this average? I know they are hot processors, but is this hotter than usual? The temp goes down about 2c when I take the sides of the case off. I'm using the fan that came with the processor (retail boxes version)

 

[WTT0001]

Yes, that is a decent temp for the retail heatsink.

 

[Buz2b]

Those temps are not "out of line". You can get them down a bit just by adding some additional case fans or by replacing the stock HSF with something a bit better. The choice is really yours though. With a better HSF you could probably drop the temps a good 10%+.

 

[littletemple]

What's a good hsf for athlon xp's? I was planning on buying volcano 6+ or 7+ but i heard they are pretty loud. There's just too many to choose from....please narrow down my decisioin...

 

[mechBgon]

The Thermalright AX-7 is a good all-around bet. It has a copper base (important for use with Thoroughbred-core CPUs), takes 80mm fans, fits almost all motherboards and has a 3-prong clip. Not too wildly expensive either.

 

[cheapgoose]

i put out about 60 bucks for a swifty and a ystech 48cfm fan. and my 1600xp idle temp is 54, 59-60 under load. and my room is hot.

 

[awsheat]

I would think anything 55c or lower is ok for an AMD.

However, with my experience, I've found that the cooler your cpu, the more stable your system is, even if the cpu is in "acceptable" ranges.

I had an overclocked p3 for a long time and if the temp was 45c or lower it was alway rock stable. But if it got 50c or higher it would crash sometimes during 3d games. Heat is the enemy and if your a power user that maxes your system out, its best to keep things cool as possible. I would say 55c load is a bit high, I'd shoot for 50c MAX temp.

I have an AMD XP 2000+ at 1.75ghz (140fsb). I'm using a Vantec solid copper heat sink i got at Comp Usa for 35bucks and some Arctic Silver3 (which is overrated IMHO, didnt see any improvement using AS-3 over silicon grease). The heat sink has a 7000rpm fan on it.

My temps are 38-39 idle and 43c under MAX load. Only Prime95 will get me up to 43c. Ambient temp plays a big part since i keep my house 68-70deg F.

I have an Antec Server case with 3 case fans which helps too. I would say keep your heat sink but lap it smoothe on bottom. Just get a higher rpm fan and apply a THIN layer of thermal grease. This will drop temps alot. Its not neccessary to get a fancy 60dollar heat sink. I've turned stock OEM coolers into very good coolers with lapping/thermal grease and better fans.

good luck

 

[Buz2b]

Its not neccessary to get a fancy 60dollar heat sink

Very true. And, as luck would have it and for information purposes, the AX-7 is only $24.99 right now at SVC. Cheaper than your Vantec even if you threw in some of that "overrated" AS3. Don't take offense, just pointing out the obvious and a really good deal.

 

[littletemple]

Which fan should i buy with the AX7? I want it to be pretty cool. How about the 50.3 CFM Sunon? Or should i go for something better? With this heatsink work with a ECS K7S5A mobo?

 

[Buz2b]

How about the 50.3 CFM Sunon?

Noisy but effective. Why not go one step (and about $1.50) further and get the variable speed (up to 48cfm) YS-Tech fan. That way you could tone things down a bit as long as your temps were in line.
I've never used one on a K7S5A but I have used a GC68 on it before which is fairly large. Maybe someone else can answer that for you.

 

[mechBgon]

Looks like the K7S5A is on the AX-7 unofficial fit list

 

[WA261]

now that i have a board that reads the actual temp of the processor....=D.

i am running at around 58c, no problems at all.

 

[littletemple]

Originally posted by: Buz2b
Noisy but effective. Why not go one step (and about $1.50) further and get the variable speed (up to 48cfm) YS-Tech fan. That way you could tone things down a bit as long as your temps were in line.

Do I adjust the speed manually or is it temperature controlled and it adjusts automatically?

 

[Buz2b]

Do I adjust the speed manually or is it temperature controlled and it adjusts automatically?

From looking at this page, it would seem it has a speed control switch that you can mount on the exterior of the case. Nice. That gives you control over the speed and/or temps.

 

[Lonyo]

I o'ced my xp 1900+ to 1744mhz and it only took the temp up about 2 or 3 degrees (idle, didn't leave it up for long, I was just experimenting) i also took it down to 1200 and it took the temp down about 5c.

 

[littletemple]

From looking at this page, it would seem it has a speed control switch that you can mount on the exterior of the case. Nice. That gives you control over the speed and/or temps.

I see that the Enermax fan is a 3-pin connector. Will my ECS K7S5A has any problems with that fan connnecting directly to the motherboard? How much power does that fan use? Do you know if it comes with a 3 to 4 pin connector?

 

[Buz2b]

I bought one of the Enermax fans and wasn't that thrilled with it. I has lower rpm's and cfm at max than the YS-Tech. Consequently it is not as effective. Because of that you can probably safely use it directly to the MB. I don't believe it came with an adaptor but they are cheap to get if you would rather hook it up to the PS directly.

 

[littletemple]

Originally posted by: Buz2b
I bought one of the Enermax fans and wasn't that thrilled with it. I has lower rpm's and cfm at max than the YS-Tech. Consequently it is not as effective. Because of that you can probably safely use it directly to the MB. I don't believe it came with an adaptor but they are cheap to get if you would rather hook it up to the PS directly.

Did you connect that Enermax fan directly to the mobo or did you connect it to the PS? If I get that YS-Tech, can i plug that into the mobo or is it too strong?

 

[Buz2b]

The enermax was connected to the MB. As I said, it was a lower rpm/output fan. I'm thinking (because I've not tried one) that the YS-Tech unit might be better off connected to the PS. There are some that are more into the "electrical" side of things and I'm sure could analyze the amps drawn vs the amp available kind of thing and give a more educated answer but I tend to put any higher output and rpm fans on the PS to avoid taxing the MB circuts. This means sometimes getting a 3 to 4 pin adaptor but they are very cheap at a local store.
I'll take a closer look at the specs and see if I am missing anything.

 

[littletemple]

Cool, I appreciate your help alot. Thanks..