What's a good idle temperature?

[Blurry]

After adding some thermal tape between my cpu and my cooler, my P4 northwood 1.8 @ 2.4 has an idle temperature at around 43 C. This is good, or is it unreasonably hot?

 

[Detselom]

well my p4 1.6a @ 2.1 idels (133bus)@1.5 @30c

if u add a thin layer of artic silver 2 or something ur temperatures should go down. Thermal tape isnt as good as goo.

 

[tsnyder]

my 1.6A @ 2.4Ghz is about 32-36c depending on room temp. It heats up to mid 40c (highest I ever saw it was 53c) when running Prime95. I removed the thermal tape from the retail heatsink fan and used standard heatsink compound... I personally think Arctic silver is a bit overrated but spending the extra money will get you the best results from your current heatsink. If you're going to overclock I wouldn't even think of using the thermal tape.

 

[bunker]

You will probably drop a couple degrees by switching to thermal compund.

That said, your temps are fine.

 

[Blurry]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I suppose I'm going to get me some artic silver. Thermal Grease is no suited for cooling, right?