Whats a good case temp?

[Racer]

I have a Liquid cooled case (Alienware). It has a digital reading inside the case. But what is a good range for inside a PC???
I have a single core AMD. Im thinking about upgrading to a dual core 939.
It will probably heat things up. But how hot is too hot?

Right now I'm at 26 C with no game or server running. Room temp is around 82 F.

 

[Groveling_Wyrm]

Temps around 60 degrees Celcius is where you need to start becoming concerned. If you can keep your temps below this, you will be ok. Much over, and you could risk overheating.

For your video, they have much higher temps, and could reach upwards of 80 celcius, but I do not advise that you let it get that high.

Computer components live MUCH shorter lives if they get hot like that.

 

[Mugz]

Every increase of ~10ºC reduces component lifespan by half.

 

[CompuTronix]

Racer, good case thermal performance means that CPU, Core and GPU temperatures don't increase at 100% CPU and GPU Load when covers are installed. Excellent case thermal performance means that CPU, Core and GPU temperatures decrease slightly at 100% CPU and GPU Load when covers are installed. Run Prime95 (small FFT's) with ATI Tool (Scan for Artifacts) to perform a simultaneous CPU / GPU 100% load test. ATI Tool works with nVidia based cards as well as ATI based cards.

Comp

 

[Racer]

Thanks guys. I will have to DL that test CompuTronix. But not today its like 100 degrees and like 90 in my room.
But Im not gonna get Crysis or upgrade after all. To play Crysis at DX 9 I would need to get Vista, a new MB, new CPU, new Power Supply and new GPU. So basically a new PC lol. I just got this like a year or so ago so thats not my plan.

I was gonna do a small update to play it on DX9 , lights out (Good FPS). But that means a new CPU and GFX card and maybe power supply. Plus that means learning how to disable the Liquid cooling system to replace the CPU burried under it. Beyond my technical skillz.

So unless a freind helps Ill just wait till this PC dies or Half-Life 3 comes out to get a new PC.
Again thanks for all the advice and info guys.

BTW just checked it now and its at 48 C I started a Steam dedicated server and joined it as a player and it stuck at 48.
But again its like 90 F (32 C) in the room so I guess that is OK. I'll shut the PC off in like an hour before it heats up anymore.

Found this cool temp converter.
http://www.wbuf.noaa.gov/tempfc.htm.