Help New PC Temps and Cooling

[gswilder]

Just built my latest PC. I used the Epox 9NPA+SLI, and AMD 4800X2, 2gig ram, 1.5TB of Storage (Hitachi drives). I use the Thermatake Armor case, with 2 120mm case fans, and 2 80mm HD fans. NO overclocking.

Needing some feedback on the stock CPU temps on the AMD 4800X2. Mine are running in the 39-40c range sitting on the BIOS temp page. I have used 3 different HS Fans the last week, and all are about the same temps. Have used both AS5 and AS Ceramique.

The 3 coolers I have used are :

Big Typhoon
Zalman CNPS 9500
Thermaltake SI-120 (with Panaflow 120mm 12L1A fan)

30-40c in the BIOS basically at Idle seems warm to me. But I have never used an AMD X2 processor. So not sure what the "normal" CPU temps should be.

 

[CheesePoofs]

What are your load temps (ie, when running two instances of Prime95)?

 

[gswilder]

What is a good Windows XP temperature monitoring program? I used MBM for years, but I think it is no longer supported. My nVidia nTune monitor says it cannot run because my BIOS does not support. So I am not sure how best to monitor temps actually in Windows. I also know AS5 needs to setup for a few days. Do I need to let the Computer run while the AS5 sets up, or should I leave off for a few days?

Thanks in advance.....

Greg

 

[JEDIYoda]

I used everest home edition...to monitor my temps along with my ASUS probe and a different temp monitor program..arr..cant remember what it was..lol

 

[gswilder]

How do I run 2 copies of Prime95 on my PC?

I ran 1 copy for about 20 minutes. CPU temps got to around 50c and seemed to stabilize.

 

[gswilder]

Still running about 40c idle in Windows XP. Gets up to about 51-52c and stablizes running prime 95.

Also have a 6800GT video card. GPU is running around 55-60c. Is that OK?

Thanks....

 

[ElTorrente]

51-52c is pretty decent temperature IF you are running two instances of Prime95. If you are only running one and are getting that hot- then those temps aren't very good at all - especially if you are just running at stock speed, since that is only half load.

55-60c is normal for your GPU. At full load it probably gets all the way up past 80C- but it's fine as long as it's stable.

 

[gswilder]

Again, how do I run TWO (2) Instances of Prime 95? I tried to install another copy into a different directory, but wouldn't let me. Thanks....

 

[gswilder]

OK, I figured out how to run 2 instances of Prime95 (-A switch for 2nd copy).

After about 15 minutes of 100 CPU utilization on BOTH CPU's, the CPU temperatures are stabilizing around 59-62c. What do you all think abou these temps? Still seems high considering I am not overclocking yet.

I have really good cooling in the Armor case. 2 120mm fans, plus 2 more 80mm fans. (not including PSU fans). Again I have tried 3 different CPU Heatsinks (Big Typhoon, Zalman CNPS9500, and the SI-120. All about the same temps on the CPU. I have tried both Artic Silver 5 and Artic Silver Ceramique. Of course it has only had about 24-48 hours to set on each. But I doubt that will make more than 2-3c temp difference.

Any thoughts on what I may be doing wrong? Could their be a problem with the X2 CPU? Am I applying the thermal compound wrong? Let me know.

Again thanks a lot.....

Greg

 

[gswilder]

One more thing, these temps are with BOTH CPUs maxed at 100% usage.....

 

[ElTorrente]

If you have fans exhausting the hot air around your CPU area and out of the case, then there must be a problem with the heatsink installation, or thermal compound.

You may just have too much thermal compound on your heatsink. A common mistake people make is to apply too much of it, and it becomes counter-productive.

You should remove your HSF and clean it with alcohol and a coffee filter. Get it totally clean, and very carefully reapply it as per the instructions on arcticsilver.com.

Here are the official instructions for installing arctic silver. Note that Arctic Silver 5 has a different method than the other versions - it is only less than a BB sized dot in the center of the CPU. Don't spread it around, don't smear it, just lower the heatsink down flat on that little dot of AS5. Check this guide out. This is how I applied mine and it works great - although I also put additional tiny little dots of it close to the corners, just to make sure. The point is though, just put a "dot" and don't smear it.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: ElTorrente
If you have fans exhausting the hot air around your CPU area and out of the case, then there must be a problem with the heatsink installation, or thermal compound.

You may just have too much thermal compound on your heatsink. A common mistake people make is to apply too much of it, and it becomes counter-productive.

You should remove your HSF and clean it with alcohol and a coffee filter. Get it totally clean, and very carefully reapply it as per the instructions on arcticsilver.com.

Here are the official instructions for installing arctic silver. Note that Arctic Silver 5 has a different method than the other versions - it is only less than a BB sized dot in the center of the CPU. Don't spread it around, don't smear it, just lower the heatsink down flat on that little dot of AS5. Check this guide out. This is how I applied mine and it works great - although I also put additional tiny little dots of it close to the corners, just to make sure. The point is though, just put a "dot" and don't smear it.

I wouldn`t switch to arcticSilver5.......thats not going to solve or decrease those temps my any super measurable amount.......

What I would to first is make sure you have sufficient airflow in your case!!

I personally have one 120mm fan as Exhaust and all the otheres are intake....

that seems to work very well for me!!

Just becuase you have fans doesn`t mean you have good airflow or proper airflow in your case!!

Also don`t buy into the myth that AS5 thermal compound will solve your temp problem!!

AS5 is a good product!

Its just not a good solution to an obvious iether case circulation probelm or possible a heatsink install issue such as the base of the heatsink NOT being flat...etc...

 

[ElTorrente]

Also don`t buy into the myth that AS5 thermal compound will solve your temp problem!!

Wow - you jump to conclusions

I preface everything with: if you have fans exhausting the hot air around your CPU area AND OUT OF THE CASE..

Then I say it must be a problem with the heatsink installation or thermal compount - like TOO much compound.

I NEVER say that AS5 is the answer.

My advice is to remove, clean, and reseat - and to read the installation instructions. IF he has AS5- he should use it! What myth am I perpetuating? :laugh:

 

[gswilder]

I do not think case air flow is the reason. The Armor is a large case, and there is minimal restrictions in the case. (Sata cable, wrapped power supply cables, round IDE/Floppy). Also, if I remove both sides of my case to open up air flow, it only makes about a 2-3c degree drop in CPU temps. And about 1c degree on motherboard/GPU temps.

Maybe I am not putting the Artic Silver on correctly. I tried the AS5 online instructions earlier with one of the heatsinks, and got about the same results. I have built 25 or so PC's in the last 4-5 years, so I do have some experience. Must be something I am doing wrong. I wonder if the AMD CPU heatspeader on the chip itself could be bad or not flat. I don't want to lap it in case I sent it back for warrant or replacement.

I think I will put the stock Heatsink that came with the AMD X2 on just to see how well it works.

Any other comments would be appreciated. Thanks for all your suggestions so far....

Greg

 

[Markbnj]

[The point is though, just put a "dot" and don't smear it.

Uh oh. I'm an ass. I installed a Zalman 7000cu on my 4400+ tonight and wasn't thrilled with the cooling performance over the Thermaltake Venus it replaced. I followed the Zalman manual instead of looking up the AS5 instructions online, and used a thin piece of plastic to smear a very thin layer of AS5 across the entire surface of the clean heat spreader on the 4400+. I then cranked the cooler down on top of it.

Think it is worth yanking the thing off tomorrow and doing it the way they suggest? Does it make that big a difference?

 

[JBDan]

Originally posted by: Markbnj
[The point is though, just put a "dot" and don't smear it.

Uh oh. I'm an ass. I installed a Zalman 7000cu on my 4400+ tonight and wasn't thrilled with the cooling performance over the Thermaltake Venus it replaced. I followed the Zalman manual instead of looking up the AS5 instructions online, and used a thin piece of plastic to smear a very thin layer of AS5 across the entire surface of the clean heat spreader on the 4400+. I then cranked the cooler down on top of it.

Think it is worth yanking the thing off tomorrow and doing it the way they suggest? Does it make that big a difference?

Spreading it in a super thin layer is just fine. As long as the initial amount you put on was about the size of a dried piece of rice. I have done it both ways several times over and temps remain exactly the same on my 3500+ Win. It is not worth doing it over imo.

 

[Markbnj]

Well, there was more than that, maybe 3-4 grains of rice. But some of it got scraped off as I spread it out. I worked it down to a thin layer. I think I will leave it and see where I end up after some cure cycles.

 

[JEDIYoda]

good idea!!
I used the grain of rice method on my install of the XP120......

I am usually from the old skool of spreading out the thermal compound...

Have a nice evening!!