What is a good CPU temp?

[DSDchemE]

I just put together my computer (haven't installed Windows yet), and I was wondering what temperature the CPU (AMD Athlon 64 3500+) should be at idle. Also, what is the max temp it should run at under load? I'm not planning to overclock anytime soon, so that's not a concern.

Currently (with the BIOS system properties on screen) the CPU temp is listed at 44-45 C (almost idle). The system temp is 39-40 C (I'm still planning to add an intake fan on the side, already have one in front).

I really just want to make sure I did the thermal cement right. If anything I may have added a bit much, but I tried to get as thin a continuous layer as possible.

 

[FictiousWill]

Those are very respectable temps. You should get a few degrees cooler with that extra fan.

Staying under ~50 under load is fine. Only start to get worried when load temps reach the upper 50s.

I myself run an amd athlon 64 3200, and I idle at 38, load at 46ish, a hammer compile in a hot room may hit 50, but never more.

 

[baron insig]

have more fans sucking air out of the case than pushing in, negative pressure is better

also

have an intake at the bottomfrom of the case and a exhaust at the back as high up as pos, dont count the psu fan

this way u wil get hte best cooling

REMEMBER negative air pressure ( more exhaust than intake) is Way better

 

[DSDchemE]

Hmm...ok...a couple questions then. My intake fans are currently in bottom-front and bottom-side. The outlet is in the back (typical spot).

I have a fan spot on the upper-side just above the level of the CPU fan (it used to be a duct, but I removed it since it was only half over the CPU fan and was blocking off flow). Should the fan on the upper-side go in or out? I was a little worried about if it was an outlet it would take air away from the CPU fan (since both would be pulling from the same volume of air). What do you think?

Also, there is a fan spot on the top, but my PSU is big and covers part of it. I can move the fan over a bit but then the vent would only open up to half the fan.

----| |--- Vent
[psu][ ]Fan

Should I put it there anyway (as an outlet)?

I don't mind using all the fan mounts, and optimal cooling (with what I have) is the goal. All the fans are really quiet (I don't care about sound anyway) and the PSU can handle a lot (it's 500W).

 

[bryanf445]

wow so 44-45c idle temps are good?? currently mine are 31c and 40-42c with stock cooling and some artic silver 5....are these really good tempatures for my setup?

doesnt the arctic silver 5 take a long time to actually break in???

 

[DSDchemE]

whoops...looking at the Arctic Silver instructions online, I think I may have put too much Arctic Silver on. I had an opaque layer across the whole thing, as I was worried about putting too little. Should I bother cleaning it all off and starting over, or is about 40 C idle OK (after the Arctic Silver sets)? The temp may also drop more since my system temp (41 C) is currently only one degree less then my CPU temp (42 C).

I'd still like answers to the fan questions too, especially the one about the side fan (whether it should be intake or exhaust, considering it's right across from the CPU fan).

 

[bibble]

under 50 is good, just make sure it doesnt go over 60. If it does go buy some thermal
paste

 

[Top Secret]

- 120 C?

 

[FictiousWill]

below room temp is bad unless you know what you're doing. It causes condensation.

 

[bryanf445]

below room temp is bad unless you know what you're doing. It causes condensation.

explain??

 

[FictiousWill]

If you're using some crazy supercool alien technology device to cool your chip and surrounding hardware below room temps, water will condense inside your computer, the same way water condenses on the side of a glass containing a cold drink. Water + computer != good deal.

 

[DSDchemE]

Condensation at low temps = same thing that happens to the outside of a cold water glass. It isn't at just below room temperature though. It's usually considerably lower and depends on the humidity (I'll spare you the chemistry, but it's got to do with the vapor pressure).

On the other hand, I think I'll pass on the cooling suggested by Top Secret. Liquid nitrogen is hard to come by.

 

[PunisherUSA]

A good safe temp range is 40ish idle, 50ish under work. If you start getting to 90s, you are at risk of damaging your proceesor and your computer will probably shut down at random from overheating. Not really a problem unless you overclock and / or your cooling is screwed.

 

[DSDchemE]

OK...I got it down to about 39 C idle by changing the fans around and opening my room's AC vent (it was closed since I was away at school so the room temp was unusually warm = higher case temp = higher CPU temp). Thanks for all your help.

 

[TrippyG]

my cpu temp is 50-70
might be that my case thermometer is not showing correct temperatures though

 

[15357]

Computer + Dry ice in bottom = 15 C loaded...

becareful not to freeze the entire thing. that doesn't work very well. *shudders*