Is my CPU going to melt?

[texasbobby]

I have a new computer with an Intel P4 Prescott 3.4GHz CPU, a standard Intel CPU heatsink and fan, a 925CVXL mobo in an Antec P160 aluminum case, with a 120MM fan in front and another in the back.

Under normal conditions, my CPU temp runs around 55C, but when I "really load it up" with games or copying a DVD, it gets loud and the temp starts climbing steadily until it reaches about 65-70C. That's when I shut it down and let it cool off.

I know the Prescott is supposed to run "hot", but that the standard Intel CPU heatsink/fan can handle it. Doesn't look like it to me. How hot is too hot? These readings worry me. Do I need to upgrade to a better CPU cooling system? Is the Zalman 7700 all copper unit any good?

Any thoughts would be welcome!

Thanks,

Texasbobby

 

[dhlucke]

AOL?!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

</font color=red><i><font color=red>GOD</font color=red> <font color=blue>BLESS </font color=blue><font color=red>AMERICA

 

[endyen]

Your temps seem a little warm, even for a scotty. That may not be the case, as sensors have been known to be wrong. I did see one once that was close, but it is rare.
More to the point though, is checking it out.
I'm guessing you live in Texas, and it does get warm there in summer.
Try taking the side panel off, and seeing how the temps are affected. If this helps, some of your fans are blowing the wrong way.
You dont mention what psu you are using. Make sure it has a large fan on the bottom, that is doing a good job of sucking heat out of the system.
Another common problem, is that the hsf has to be positioned just right, on these new chips. Turn your system, and the psu switch off, and give the hsf a slight twist, to make sure it's sitting nice.

 

[Cybercraig]

So what's the problem? Prescotts can run at 70C all day. You should have the proper case cooling (ducted fan) and the stock heatsink and that's about as good as you can do. We keep telling everyone to water-cool that Prescott but it's apparently falling on deaf ears. The Sony Viao "R" Performance system is water-cooled. That was their answer and that is mine for the Prescott. The 7000 Cu weighs about 3lbs. The 7700 weighs more than that. That's a lot of weight for any motherboard to support on two bolts and it doesn't cool the Prescott much better than the stock heatsink. I only use the AlCu versions of the Zalman because of the weight. Now set your CPU temp alarm at 80C and burn that DVD!

Abit IS7 - 3.0C @ 3.6ghz - Mushkin PC4000 (2 X 512) - Sapphire 9800Pro - TT 420 watt Pure Power
Samsung 120gb ATA-100 - Maxtor 40gb ATA - 100
Sony DRU-510A - Yellowtail Merlot

 

[Flinx]

It's not as if it can "burn" but they do throttle if too hot.

Throttling= reduce performance to keep the temperatures down; that occurs about 70C if I'm not mistaken on the Intel chips.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

The loving are the daring!

 

[Cybercraig]

I'm not sure where they throttle, but 90C temps were the max on the first Socket 478 Prescotts.

Abit IS7 - 3.0C @ 3.6ghz - Mushkin PC4000 (2 X 512) - Sapphire 9800Pro - TT 420 watt Pure Power
Samsung 120gb ATA-100 - Maxtor 40gb ATA - 100
Sony DRU-510A - Yellowtail Merlot

 

[endyen]

They have uped the throttling temp on the prescotts. I have heard it's 75c.

 

[DCB_AU]

You could try a higher quality thermal paste- better than the stick on one that comes with the original intel heatsink/fan.

<font color=red>DCB</font color=red><font color=white>_</font color=white><font color=blue>AU</font color=blue>

 

[mozzartusm]

Im using the same CPU that you have. Do yourself a favor and invest some money into a liquid cooling system. You can get one for $140.00 for sure, maybe lower. If you are good at Do-It-Yourself projects then you can build one for well under $100.00. I started out with the Thermaltake Big Water cooling system and never went above 37C even overclocked up to 4.0

 

[Starfishy]

Uh oh... mozzartusm is talking liquid cooling again, this can't be a good thing

Now all those paranoid people are going to come on here and say "Liquids and computers don't mix". But in truth, mozzartusm is right... for that CPU get the best cooling you can get your hands on, which is liquid. And lot's of people use it, and it is not as dangerous nor hard as you might think (from what I'm told). I say give it a try, you spent alot on the CPU, and it would be a shame not to be able to utilize it because it keeps throttling down evertime it gets hot.