what should be the cpu temperature?

[timu]

i am using:
athlon 2000+xp
msi kt4 ultra motherboard
256mb pc2700 ram
geforce4 mx 440 8x agp

in the pc alert 4 it shows the temperature of cpu is 38-50 c. how is it? when should i worry?
when should i check the temp.?

 

[bsr]

I dont worry until mine gets over 125-130 f (somewhere around 50c i think) but I rarly see it over 120 (at full cpu load and overclocked), but the acual temp. where it will cause damage is much higher then this (probly 150+ F).

 

[Krye]

You should be ok with those temps, it's when it starts pass 60 C that you should consider more cooling. I've actually have had my computer hardlock and not boot when my CPU hit about 70C once. :frown:

 

[Ralidan]

Alas, yes I have had my CPU up around the 80 C mark and no damage (luckily) came from it, if you keep reinstalling the heatsink, your thermal paste/compound wares off and the problem steadily gets worse, get yourself some Arctic Silver 3 or a better HSF before you reach the same extremes i did.