Timbob87

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I checked my CPU temp. in BIOS and it was idling at 54C. Is that a normal temperature for a 3.2 GHz P4? Also, is there an easy way to monitor CPU temp. in Windows?
 

hashv2f16

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yeah its fine, if you don't want to spend the money on a new cooler. these chips can handle 70*C easy.
I'd recommend get a zalman cnps7700 if it will fit on your mobo or else a cnps9500 - it'll be really quiet and cool too. depending on your case ventilation you'll idle at under 38*C.
 

Human1

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To check your temps in Windows use speedfan. Google it. Good little program, will monitor all your temps for you.
 

lost

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54C at idle is a little high even with the stock cooker!

How many fans do you have in the case and are they running at full speed?

Whats your ambiant temp?

Check your bios and make sure EIST is enabled.

Run with the case cover off and see if the temp drops, if so you have poor air flow and need to adjust it.

Try this to monitor your temps in windows. It's not 100% accurate, usually 2-3C below actual temp. Depends on your mobo sensors.

http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

:D

_____________________

P4 640 @ 3.2GHz 35.5C idle
6600 GT AGP
Antec Sonata Case
 

Timbob87

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OK, I just checked the temps in BIOS again and the CPU was at 50-51C. I stayed in BIOS for a few minutes and it changed to 57C. Is that normal?
 

lost

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Was that with the case cover on or off?

It's normal for the temp to rise slightly in bios as it stabilises.

Relax! it's not going to hurt it but it can be reduced with proper case ventilation.

Download speed fan and open it and leave it running with the chart open to log temp.

Play a game and see what your load temp is. That's the one thats important.

Make sure there's no build up of dust on the cooler.
_____________________

P4 640 @ 3.2GHz 35.5C idle
6600 GT AGP
Antec Sonata Case
 

Djsx64

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if u know the manafacture, check out there website

if it's by chance an asus board, u can get a program called

Asus Probe

i am gonna say thou 54 is fine, i am running @ Intel 530J

@ 35F on the Stock Fan and Heat Sink

but keep in mind that i have a Thermaltake Armor Case and decent Cooling
 

lost

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hashv2f16

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Hey, so what does speedstep mean for overclocking? does it throttle your overclocked chip down regardless waht you set the frequency to? Is there any way of disabling it? does setting power schemes in the control panel to "always on" disable speedstep throttling?
 

lost

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Just for you I've included this link. :lol:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/198

Why would I wan't to disable a feature that protects your system.

Do you disable the brakes in your car?

Yes I can oc to 3.680Ghz and stable. Logging with throttle watch I can see that it reaches this at 100% load and no throttling, but when the load is less than 100% it goes back to 3.400GHz.

It's fine and works for me.

My power scheme is set to "always on" and it doesn't disable it.

On my setup you can disable EIST in bios - never have though, no need.

Anyway this is going off topic.

Timbob87 obviously has a temp problem with the cooling on his P4 640.

_____________________

P4 640 @ 3.2GHz 35.5C idle
6600 GT AGP
Antec Sonata Case
 

lost

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Whilst I agree with what you say in regards to the seating, TIM and the fasteners that's not to say that it is a problem with every mobo out there making it a bit premature to be changing the stock cooler on the basis of that.

If the cooler is full of dust it's an easy fix.

If his case temp is higher than 38.C because of poor ventilation he needs more fans, a bigger more expensive cooler would only make a marginal difference.

If he hasn't got EIST enabled it will run at higher temp anyway.

Do the basic things first.

:lol: :lol:
_____________________

P4 640 @ 3.2GHz 35.5C idle
6600 GT AGP
Antec Sonata Case
 

Timbob87

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Was that with the case cover on or off?

That was with the case closed. I didn't build the computer, it's a Sony Vaio, and I just put in a new video card, MSI 6600 GT. There is no buildup of dust, it's a brand new computer.

I was just wanting to know if I need to do anything drastic about the temperature, or if I can just live with it for now.

Thanks for all the replies.
 

Timbob87

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Thanks, but I really don't want to get into all of the technical parts of putting in a new cooling system just yet. I'm trying to learn a few things about computers, but I don't want to test my skills on modifying a brand new Sony Vaio, since I really don't have any skills other than upgrading memory and putting in a PCI-e video card. I'd hate to screw something up.
 

lost

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Had a look at the system. Looks nice.

Just remember the core temp of a 6600GT added is approx 52C idle and between 60 to 70C load.

Check the amount of fans you have in the case because the temp you are experiencing at idle is close to the temp (66.6C) load where a 640 processor slows down to cool itself (throttle).

If the air in the case dose not escape sufficiently (flow) it will build up and increase the temp of the processor causing it to throttle.

Have a look if there is any additional case fan mounts. Its easy to add if there are. One in the rear of case and one at the front to pull air in as well.

Just keep this in mind for the future if the temps increase.

Happy computing.