CPU Temps

[dodge8604]

Hey just wondering some ways to lower my CPU temps, I already bought the good thermal paste and applied it correctly (per the instructions) I was wondering if altering voltages might lower the temp a bit. If there are any other ways please let me know. Im not having any problems just looking for lower temps.

-US Army-
-82nd Airborne-
-Infantry-
enough said.....

 

[G0AOZ]

What CPU, and what temperature?

I'd certainly not try messing with the voltage levels! By all means check them with a good, accurate voltmeter whilst under load. Then compare with motherboard or CPU manufacturer's figures to see if they're within spec (+/- etc). An old, or cheaply made PSU is more likely to have poorly regulated voltage rails than a quality product.

You could check to see what the airflow is like within your computer case. Airflow for motherboard, RAM, etc., will usually enter at the front of the case, cross over the motherboard, and be exhausted at the rear of the case. Depending upon design, some cases are rather restricted at the front, but often you can assist matters by placing fan(s) for sucking in air, as well as having fan(s) for blowing warm air out out at the back. Some tower cases have an air intake on the side of the case with trunking to channel it directly onto the top of the CPU heatsink fan assembly.

Position ribbon cables as flat as possible to case sides etc. Keep power cables for drives, etc., tied together and route them where they're less likely to restrict airflow.

Remove any unused or unwanted PCI cards and drives, etc. Additional cards and drives use power and generate heat, and can also impede airflow across the motherboard.

If you're going to add fans to the case, the bigger (diameter) the fan, the more air it will shift and it will be marginally quieter than, say two smaller fans.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[electronicsfreak]

Do not adjust voltages, leave those set as automatic. Adjusting voltage too low will not allow processor to run right if at all, adjusting too much can overclock and fry a processor.

Goaoz made good suggestions on things to do. Have good airflow with fans. Example on my case, I have the fan on the side blowing in with a fan on the back blowing out. Also keep everything blown out monthly as dust piles of quick, especially if its in the house of a smoker/smokers. Smokers house will make a computer dirty very quick.

When blowing it out, its a good idea to use something to hold the fans so you can get behind them. Be sure to blow inside the power supply and hold its fan or fans as well to get all the dust in it. You do not need to open the power supply to blow inside it, just simply use a screwdriver or something to hold the fan while you shoot air inside it.

Also if your using a can of compressed air, make sure you let the computer dry for a few minutes before using it as sometimes liquid comes out of the cans. Always unplug the computer first before cleaning.

How is your fan setup right now? How many fans do you have?
Also as Goaoz mentioned, what processor are you running and what temp is it running?

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[acewarlock]

Why do you want to lower the Temp?




This is an Analogy so don't take it personally as some have.

Why change the engine if all you need is to change the spark plugs.

 

[wahnula]

-US Army-
-82nd Airborne-
-Infantry-
enough said.....

Thanks for your service. Have you tried moving your PC out of the desert?

Seriously an aftermarket cooler and better airflow management is a better option than voltage mods...leave those for the overclockers. What temps are you seeing and how?

Tony

"Buy what you like, or you'll be forced to like what you buy"...me

 

[dodge8604]

Like I said not having any problems, just wondering.

Right now I have a 3 or 4 year old P4 3.6. Its a single core, and I plan on gettin a new one soon but again I was just wondering.

Under almost no load (browser, 2 IM programs, anti-virus...the regulars) N-tune tells me my CPU fan is at 55C

Have a system fan hooked up that says 29C

Again, not having any problems I was just wondering...

Wahnula, this baby aint seen the desert just yet lol we'll see how she does there in the spring


-US Army-
-82nd Airborne-
-Infantry-
enough said.....

 

[cjelec]

You could get a new heat sink and fan.

I asked the question of what the best one around because my temps were getting too high: thread602-1417660

 

[dodge8604]

I really like my heatsink and fan, threw out the stock cooler a long time ago...

Maybe I'll upgrade on that again soon.

-US Army-
-82nd Airborne-
-Infantry-
enough said.....

 

[gbaughma]

Zalman cooler.

My CPU on my media center PC runs at something like 38C.

I have one of the Zalman CPS9500's



Just my 2¢
-Cole's Law: Shredded cabbage

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[wahnula]

55C is a bit toasty, but not necessarily for that CPU. I would get my favorite HSF, a Thermaltake V1 (beats the Zalman), Antec Smart Power 120mm for front & rear of case if possible, Antec also has a little beauty called the Spot Cool, you attach it and aim it at problem areas, mine's the Northbridge. Good cooling starts with an intake near the bottom and exits near the top.

Tony

"Buy what you like, or you'll be forced to like what you buy"...me

 

[NekoRuri]

55C is really high, though if the temp in the room the computer's in is in the 90's; its always gonna run warmer than usual.

Personally I hate obscenely high speed/loud fans. I've tried a few different brands and found that Nexus has a really great ballance of being quiet and effective. If possible, take your fans out when you clean them; some cases have built in filters that need to be cleaned.

Also like to use (small) vacuum's to clean out dust in the case and components. It doesn't create the smoke cloud like the compressed air can, and is better for certain parts (such as fans, using compressed air can force small pieces of dirt and eventually wear out the bearings very prematurely).

Finaly, albeit an expensive solution would be to switch to water cooling. On my main rig with both cores (AMD FX-62) maxed at 100% continuesly it won't go above 40C, with the average being around 22-25C.

 

[kmcferrin]

55C is really high, though if the temp in the room the computer's in is in the 90's; its always gonna run warmer than usual.

55C isn't really that high for that processor. You have to remember that we're talking about a 3.6 GHz Pentium 4. They were made back in the day when the only way that Intel could compete was to crank up the clock speed, and the only way to get higher clock speeds stable was to up the voltage. The TDP rating on the 3.6 GHz Pentium 4 is 115 watts. That's a lot of heat. By way of comparison, the TDP rating on your FX-62 is only 89 watts.

But the difference is even bigger than that, because AMD rates their chip's TDP as a "maximum", whereas Intel rates their chip's TDP as a "typical". So while your FX-62 shouldn't go over 89w, the Pentium 4 in this case could easily go over 115w under sustained full load conditions.

Those Pentium 4s run hot enough to keep you warm on a cold winter night.

 

[wahnula]

Nexus has a really great balance of being quiet and effective

Hear hear! (or not hear). Nexus PSUs are wonderfully quiet too, my sensitive ears can't audibly detect any of the three Nexus PSUs within two meters from my chair. I can hear the hum of the plasma TV cooling fan in the living room home theater cabinet 30 feet away (it's a custom cabinet, 80mm fan is loose-mounted, on silicone, but that wood resonates) over the PSUs.

I plan on putting a Nexus 120mm in that cabinet, but I need to buy a bigger hole saw first

Tony

"Buy what you like, or you'll be forced to like what you buy"...me