The dreaded question: Athlon Temperatures

[User Name]

Yes, I know this has been a very common question throughout the Internet, but I can't seem to get a clear answer. I built a computer about three months ago, using an Asus A7V8X-X motherboard and running an Athlon 2500+, Barton core, and my temperatures are about 40 degrees Celsius idle, and about 60 degrees under load. My motherboard temperature is around 35. I'm using CPUIdle (software cooling) and that made my idle temperatures go down from 50 to 40. I'm using the original AMD heatsink/fan, and have two 80mm case fans in my generic crappy case, one intake up front and one exhaust in the back, though the front one is pretty much useless since it's covered. My system is rock stable, and I'm using Windows XP Pro.

My question: Are my temperatures safe? Do they significantly shorten the life of my CPU, as I'm planning to keep this computer around for a long time.

Also, my video card, a cheap Radeon 9000 non-Pro, doesn't have a fan. Is that dangerous?

[junglistic]

Until recently, I had been running my xp 1800+ around 55-70 C, for about a year. To be honest, I didnt see it as a huge prob. Stability wise, speed wise. But recently, I purchased a vocano 7+ cpu fan.

The temp's cooled down to about 45-55 C (and i o/c'd to a 2200+!)

So my suggestion, go with an aftermarket fan, heat is bad for electronics. So with confidence i can say, running cooler will lead to a longer life.

[grumpyolddude]

AMD has temperature info at their website. My 1900+ has a "kill" temp of 90 C. I consistently run 50-55 C without extra cooling, just the stock heatsink and fan (keep it clean! dust can be a killer!). If I wanted to overclock, I'd probably go liquid cooling.

[sailor]

When I was running a thunderbird 1400, my temps were 50-55, and it ran just fine. Dont worry about it, those temps, while warm, are nothing to worry about at all.

[Lasereth]

Your temperatures are normal. Some people have better luck with their cases and manage to keep their XP's at 50 celsius max, but mine used to run at 60 celsius full load normally. I bought a Volcano 7+ for it, and now it runs at about 55 celsius max.

In other words, you're fine, but it definitely wouldn't hurt to buy a Volcano 7+ or 9+, or any aftermark CPU heatsink fan that ya want. It would also let ya overclock a little.

-Lasereth

[Vanquish]

Agreeing with everyone else, your temps are fine. If you wanted to drop the temps some, you can try and re-seat the processor using Artic Silver 3, Should lower the temps a bit if you are currently using the stock thermal pad. If you dont mind noise you could look at the SLK-948u for a heatsink. Even with a low RPM fan its an amazing. But DONT get the 900u, cuz it will not fit your mobo. Currently I am running a 900u on my NF7-s and my 2100+ is currently clocked at around 2.4ghz (equal to a 3200+ in benchmarks) my temps idle around 31 deg and under a load it goes to around 45. My case temps are about 20 so that helps a lot. My friend has close to the same setup but with the same proc as you and he is running at 3600+ equilivent speeds. Good luck with your proc, hopefully its a good overclocker.

[User Name]

Originally posted by Vanquish
Good luck with your proc, hopefully its a good overclocker.

I'm such a chicken. I wouldn't even think of overclocking, even if I had the best cooler in the world. After a 475mhz AMD K6-2, my 2500+ is fast enough.

[Lasereth]

Originally posted by User Name
I'm such a chicken. I wouldn't even think of overclocking, even if I had the best cooler in the world. After a 475mhz AMD K6-2, my 2500+ is fast enough.

Are you sure? That 2500+ will go to 2.2 GHz with a Volcano 7+! /Egg on

I can see where you're coming from though. OC'ing is dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Just wanted to let you know that you have one of the three best Athlon XP overclocking processors on the market.

-Lasereth

[bltzkriegmcanon]

muhaha, just checked mine, lovely little p4 2.4, running at a cool 33 C under load, ah great goodness

[Dire Baka]

One word about the whole water cooling issue... I have a water cooled 2.4GHz P4 running a water cooling system. If you are looking for silence or speed its a great thing but be prepared for some maintainance above the normal CPU fan. I have to fill up the radiator every so ofter cause it seems to evaporate somewhere. This is a common problem that other people who water cool seem to have the same issue.

The next computer I use will be a peltier based cooling system I think.

[Hanabal]

my tbird 1400 cpus normally around 52-58 and once got as high as 66 but ive had it like that for over 2 years so its nothing to worry about the lifespan. i emailed amd and they said my cpu was guaranteed to 95 deg so it seems ok. its good in winter, keeps my whole flat warm.

also the video card thing is ok, but i played le mans 24 racing once when my cpu was i imagine somewhere around 65deg, video card going hard, around hour 5 of solid racing the textures went all screwy but that was it, it looked trippy

[Destrox]

Your tempatures are in a safe zone, but may I add you do not want to compare a barton core AMD with any other amd besides XP series. (Try to keep it to bartons too really)

I've got a 2500+ barton as well, and when I did use the generic hs&f it ran temps near the ones your reporting.

But for overall safety and general coolness for your room, I'd suggest getting even a 30$ hs&f.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...=BROWSE&depa=1

Thats what I use, and it gives me idle temps of 35C~ and high 40's for underload. Mind you my system is also overclocked to 2.1Ghz and 211FSB.

[Ratman]

Asus A7N8S-deluxe. Barton 2500. CPU heatsink and fan- AOpen ack7 series. current CPU TEMP- 35C.

Get a good CPU haetsink and fan!