Quick question if someone knows....

[LordBelial]

Im overclocking right now from 2.4 to 2.6ghz in amd. whats the highest temperature i can get without damaging anything? Im overclocking slow cuz its my first time doing so, and i played cs source for about 20 minutes...and 2.52 ghz it idles at 31 degrees c..and after i got done playing for 20 minutes, it was at 42 degrees c..so im just wondering if thats to high, and if not, whats the highest temperature i can go, and still be safe? thanks, belial

 

[scoyle]

Those are pretty good temps, but are probably not as accurate as they can be. To ensure 100% cpu usage, use prime95, or a cpu-burn program. These will get your temperatures up to as high as possible.

Personally, I try to keep everything under 35C at idle, and below 55C under full load. You won't start damaging your CPU until you reach 80C or so, but if you're reaching those temps, your system is probably suffering from major instability.

I've become fond of using ATI Tool to benchmark for heat. It utilizes most of your graphic card's processing power, and close to 100% (if not 100%) of your CPU. I do this because ambient temperatures are affected by the heat produced by your video card, and it will probably cause your CPU's maximum temperature to increase by 2-3 degrees centigrade. I do this personally (in conjunction with programs like prime95 and cpu-burn) because I play games, and having your video card at peak operating temperature whilst your CPU is at peak operating temperature is a more accurate portrayal of the maximum peak operating temperatures of your components.

 

[LordBelial]

So basically what your saying is that as long as its under 55 degrees C im pretty much OK? and im using hardware sensors monitor to get my temperature readings... yah idle it stays around anywhere between 31-34degreed c and after playing cs for 20 minutes, went up to 41.

 

[LordBelial]

oh and i donwloed the cpu burn thing, whats a good length of time i should run it...as long as i would normally play a video game..like 2 hours?

 

[scoyle]

The longer the better, but it will eventually come to a consistent temperature. The CPU usually takes about half an hour to get to it's hottest point, and after that it probably won't rise more than a degree centigrade.

Yes, 55C is a good maximum temperature for your CPU under full load. But, as always with today's widely available technology, the lower the temperature the better.