good operating temperature for CPU and Case

[Maximus1]

I always get into debates with my friends over what a decent operating temp is for the CPU and Case. I know that devices are all different and there are a million "it depends on x", but I'm looking for a good rule of thumb for most circumstances. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mikewarrior2]

Depending on your heatsink/other case cooling/ambient temp, the rule I usually go by is keeping the CPU temp within 10 -15 degrees of MB Chipset temp while under 100% Load(seti, Prime 95, or RC5). CPU's are capable of operating at higher temps, but i try to keep them low.


Mike

 

[Bobsteroo]

I could use some help here too..its been in the high 80's here in Seattle and all of a sudden my puter is locking up. After shutting it down and lettin it cool it fires right back up. I have a generic cpu fan cooling my K6-2 550 on a GA-5X motherboard with another fan on the front of the case. The exhaust from the power supply seems quite warm????? Help

 

[Mikewarrior2]

is the power supply exhaust the only exhaust you have?

If so, i'd highly suggest finding a way for adding another exhaust fan near the cpu.


Mike

 

[thermite88]

If you have 3 or more case fans, will you post the change in case, motherboard and CPU temperatures, and noise level when you add each additional fans and the fan's location.

 

[Mikewarrior2]

I would, but I've had these fans in place pretty much since I installed my mb...


Mike

Current CPu Temp: 39 C
Current MB Temp: 33 C
Ambient Temp: 32 C

 

[thermite88]

Mike wrote:

>>I would, but I've had these fans in place pretty much since I installed my mb...
>>Current CPu Temp: 39 C
>>Current MB Temp: 33 C
>>Ambient Temp: 32 C

How many fans do you have now? How much will the temperatures rise if you take out some of those fans?

The Addtronics 7890A has room for 7 80-mm fans. It used to run like a wind tunnel. I removed 5 of these fans at the back and the side and kept the two intake ones. The CPU temperature rose 1 deg C and the 10K hard drive rose 1.5 deg C, but the case is a lot quieter. Currently, at 25 deg C room,

CPU: 37 C
MB: 27 C
HD: 32 C

I use an Enermax 450W dual fan power supply which is very quiet compared to many 300W PS.

I am very interested in hearing from people who put a lot of case fans by drilling holes in the case. How many degree did you lower the CPU temperature for each hole and how much noise did it add? What is the over improvement in cooling as measured by temperature and what is the degradation in noise?

Windows 2000 Professional
Celeron 533A @ 840, 1.8V, Golden Orb
P3V4X (BIOS 1005), 105 FSB @ 3/4 CPU/memory bus
256MB KingMax, PC133, SPD 333, 7.5 ns
Adaptec 29160 Ultra160 SCSI adapter,
WD Enterprice 10K 9.1MB LVD
Matrox G200SG 8MB
Ensoniqs AudioPCI
Plextor 412 CDR
Plextor 32x caddy CD drive
Aiwa DDS2 4mm tape
Iomega Insider SCSI zip drive.
Addtronics 7890A full tower
Enermax 450W Dual Fan PS

 

[Mikewarrior2]

As far as noise, it isn't a problem cause 4 of my fans are 20db, 3 are 27, 1 is 30. The CPu fan is 28cfm. OF those, my cpu fan, and all the 92mm and the 120mm fan are switchable from 12v to 7 volt.

Here's the location of my fans... if you want to see pics, here's my page with pics http://members.xoom.com/mikewarrior4

P.S. = 2 80mm Panaflo's
top exhaust = 92mm Panaflo
Back exhaust= 92mm panaflo
Side Intake = 120mm Panaflo
Front Intakes= 2 80mm Panaflos

now, your temps are pretty low. 25 degree ambient is very low. Do you have your computer in an Air COnditioned room? or do you live in a cooler area? I know, that if I turn off my 3 92mm fans and 1 120mm fan, the noise is somehwat lower, but ambient case temp jumps up at least 4 degrees, and CPU goes up roughly 6-8 degrees. I don't have A/C(err, just never turn it on) and its been hot lately.

Hope this helps.
Mike

 

[thermite88]

Mike,

Your CPU is only 7C above ambient and mine is 12C above. No question that your setup is cooled more efficiently. When you get 90F (32C) room, it is hard to keep cool. How much will the CPU temperature go up if you disconnect the 120mm intake and top 92mm exhaust?

25C or 77F is about what I have in the basement this time of the year. Air conditioner will be turned on when the outside goes above 85-90F. In winter time, the house is kept around 70F.

 

[Mikewarrior2]

ah, okay... now i get it..

If i disable the 2 92mm and 120mm fans, the temp will go up roughly 6-8 degree's C.



Mike

 

[cookie3]

I have a 600e copmine and my cpu temp is always about 122to 125degrees fieranhiet. this is with a stock fan and three case fans.Is this too high? is it possible my motherboard is not reading the temp right {asus p3v4x)?

 

[Mikewarrior2]

the p3v4x tends to read temps quite a bit higher than other mb's.. your chip is at 51 or so C, which is within intel's limit(their max is something like 82 C).


Mike

 

[Bacchus]

I've got a P3700e OC-ed to 126Mhz. In W98, after playing my game of choice (Tribes) for several hours, here are my temps (according to the infamous Asus PC Probe:

CPU: 38C/100F
MB: 31C/87F

My chassis is an Super Micro SC760. I would strongly recommend this case to anyone. I've got 3 8cm fans as my intake (bottom/front), one chassis fan which blows over my CPU/AGP slot, a standard CPU heatsink/fan combo, a Sparkle 300W PS, and a 9mc fan blow air out (top/back).

P.S. Er....since HTML doesn't work, for those interested, here's the URL for Super Micro: http://www.supermicro.com/PRODUCT/Chassis/sc760A.htm