Temps ok?

DaSnIpE

Hey guys, I have an AthlonXP 1800+ on an Asus A7V333 in an Apex 3300 ATX case (2 case fans) and my ambient temps are around 26-28 but my cpu temps are much higher, like idle @ 49-51 and 54-56 (56 rarely) full load. Is this too high? I have Disc When STPGNT# Detect enabled using Wpcredit but whenever I put HALT-enabled I get lower temps but it's unstable and slower. I've also heard it could be my Asus board. Think it could be the Volcano 7 or the way I put on the heat sink compound also.

What you guys think? Any hints/help/pointers would be welcome.

Thanks

Crash Override

howd you put the thermal conductance paste on and which stuff you using?

also how are your case fans arranged and what power supply do you have?

JavaFox

Well, you're being awfully vague, Padawan. Why don't you tell us how you think that Volcano is wrong, or how you applied the grease?

My ambient temps are in the high 30s, usually. My CPU runs within the 50s -- I think they highest I've seen it is 56 or 57. I'm running a Thunderbird, though (at the same clockspeed as you) -- incidentally, with a Tt Volcano 7. But I've only got one case fan, and I'm running my CPU fan at 7V instead of 12V. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is this: your temperature is fine --it's nothing to worry about-- but it could be cooler.

DaSnIpE

I'm just throwing things out in the open. Actually, I didn't put the grease on, the guy at the shop did it, because I had to return my A7V266 which couldn't post all of a sudden and I had an extra warranty on the box. I've read a review of the Volcano 7 in a round up of HSF's and it didn't do too well so I'm throwing that in as a possible answer.

The paste is Artic Silver 3. I got a Globe Fan intake (80mm) @ 32 cfm and a Thermaltake outtake @ 37 cfm.

Also, I heard many times that Asus boards don't read the temps right, so dunno.

Lastly, last week, when I put in the 2nd case fan(the intake), my case temp when down 9 degrees, but my CPU temp stayed the same, and it's quieter cuz of the Volcano 7 spinning less (it's a temp control fan, but the ambient temp, not the CPU temp) so that is throwing me off as well.

UberLord

I wouldn't be overly concerned with those temps - I was about 50-53 idle and 55-58 at full load with my old HSF. However, you do want to keep an eye on it from time to time.

My old HSF had two fans, and the top one broke. I didn't release it until I spotted my CPU temp was just over 70! So I've installed a decent HSF and fan and its now idling around 41 and running full load at 44. Just to make sure this don't happen again I've installed a DigiDoc which comes with an audible alarm after a sensor passes its peak

Greebo_x

...it indicates poor airflow in your system (or perhaps a pocket where heat gets trapped due to poor case design). Somewhere in AMD's specs they recommend that the delta between the two temps. should be no more than 7C; I think this is a good guideline for ANY processor. Check that cables aren't impeding airflow; if the CPU is in a corner with no direct path for exhaust air to pull warm air from it you might want to consider modding your case to accomplish that. I bought one case online which had incredibly poor design for heat flow; I ended up fixing it by drilling holes on the TOP, directly over the location of the CPU heatsink/ fan and mounting an exhaust fan there.

DaSnIpE

Poor airflow, I think u might be right, also, I touch the ram chips on my Radeon, and they're boiling, think ramsinks will help?

Here's the link of my case, the Apex 3300 ( http://www.apextechusa.com/proddetai...temtype=&id=67 ), I put in 2 case fans already, I think I can fit a 92 mm outtake on top and at least a 80mm intake in the side. Think it's worth it?

Greebo_x

You could try adding those (the fans), but the first thing I would do is make sure the cabling layout inside doesn't interfere with airflow. (Round cables are a good investment, in my experience, and I've gotten good ones around $6 US now.) I couldn't tell from the pictures of the case on the link you sent whether or not it would have hot spots. As for the heatsinks on the Radeon, I haven't needed to use any on mine; I suspect they won't add much to solving your problems and are more a solution for prolonging the life of that card (especially if you are overclocking it).

If you change cables to improve airflow you should be able to visualize air flowing from the lower front of your case, up past the Radeon card and then getting sucked out past the CPU. Ideally, there will be a 'channel' behind where your drives are mounted but before the edges of any add-in cards where air can flow from the bottom-front of the case up to the CPU; this is where the cables become a factor. I looked at a picture of your MoBo and it is like mine: the Athlon socket is going to be up fairly high in the case, either behind or just below the Power Supply, but not in a place where the PS fan can easily suck hot air away from it. Putting the fan in near the top, where it can suck hot air OUT from the area where the CPU is will probably help a lot. Hopefully you will also see the temps. on the Radeon drop as well...

DaSnIpE

I made rounded cables (by following Omega's guide) and my airflow is pretty good. Dunno, I'm going to reinstall the HSF and see what that does to the temps. IF that doesn't help, it's time for some more fans.

It better not be the Asus temp moniter screwing on me.