CPU Operating Temperatures

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A silly question: does anyone know what a reasonable (read:’normal’) operating temperature is for an Athlon XP CPU?

Mine is currently running at 70deg C which seems a mite high to me, and goes up to 73-74 when under heavy load. Is this too much?

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I think there have been several discussions about this in this board before.

I use an ‘old’ Intel P4 2.4. It runs around 80F (26C) when idle (depending on the room temperature) or around 110F (43C) under load.

I understand that AMD is supposed to run MUCH hotter, although I wonder if 70+ is a bit too hot… Maybe someone with AMD experience will chime in.

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Lyra,
It seems quite OK based on these numbers.

CPU Maximum Operating Temps

The temperatures specified for AMD CPUs max case surface temperatures. These CPUs do not have an internal diode to measure CPU temperature. The accuracy of the CPU temperature measurement depends on the motherboard; therefore, it is possible that the CPU overheats even though the CPU temperature reported by the motherboard is below the specified maximal temperature.

AMD Athlon XP
Processor Specifications Model Number Operating Frequency (MHz) Nominal Voltage Max Die Temperature

1500+ 1333 1.75V 90 Degrees Celsius

1600+ 1400 1.75V 90 Degrees Celsius

1700+ 1467 1.75V 90 Degrees Celsius

1800+ 1533 1.75V 90 Degrees Celsius

1900+ 1600 1.75V 90 Degrees Celsius

2000+ 1667 1.75V 90 Degrees Celsius

2100+ 1733 1.75V 90 Degrees Celsius

There is more info HERE

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I think the monitoring software on my Asus has a default warning level at about 70C. I think the operating temperatures for these sorts of chips goes up to around 90C (check Athlon’s website for the exact number for your chip).

Although I use Pentium IV chips, I have succesfully lowered my CPUs operating temperature from upwards of 70C to the low 50s just by replacing my CPU cooler with a slightly better one, and by being careful with the thermal paste so I only put just enough on.

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Hi Lyra,
70C is quite high for an Athlon processor. Generally, 70C is the maximum allowable temperature, although some specific Barton core Athlons will withstand higher temperatures. A CPU temp of 70C indicates to me that you do not have sufficient cooling, and that you need to do something about it pronto. You should probably shoot for a CPU temperature between 45C and 55C. Your CPU heatsink/fan should be matched to your processor – there is a list of acceptable heatsink combinations on the AMD site. With an Athlon, it’s almost imperative that you have good airflow within the case. A front-mounted fan sucking air in, and a rear-mounted fan blowing air out is also necessary. Watch out for IDE cables – they can restrict your air flow.

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Thanks for all the replies guys. The fan/heatsink came with the (boxed) processor, so it should be good enough, though it has one of those dodgy thermal ‘pads’ rather than thermal paste on the heatsink.

Over the weekend I removed the fan and gave it a clean, and found loads of dust clogging up the fins of the heatsink, so cleaned them out & replaced the fan. Now the diode temp is slightly higher than before!!

A case fan helped, but I think a new heatsink/fan combo will be required, when I get some spare time to take it all apart…

Thanks again- some good info there.

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Hi again,
You probably would be much better off with a new heatsink/fan combo. Get some Arctic Silver or Arctic Alumina, and use it instead of those lousy tapes. You’ll see your temps drop by more than a few degrees. One more point — the only Athlon that should be running upwards of 60C is the 1.34 GHZ Palamino core — all of the others should be running cooler. 70C is the temp at which Athlons generally begin to sustain damage, so get those temps down!

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Just by way of example, my 3200+ XP Athlon on an Abit NF7-S board is running, in a non-air conditioned room, at 39.5C. It goes up to about 44C with a heavy load, but never goes above 45C. Try shooting for something in that range. I have two rear-mounted case fans, one front-mounted fan, and a Thermaltake CPU heatsink. My three other Athlons also don’t go over 45C.

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I may have to invest in a new case too then, as mine doesn’t have anywhere for a front (or side) mounted fan. I suppose I could borrow a dremel, but I’d rather not get into the whole ‘DIY’ thing…

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Check out PowMax cases — I just bought two of them from TigerDirect for thirty bucks ea. They come with a 450W PSU and front mounted USB and sound. Good deals.

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Ok, will check them out- thanks for all your advice.

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Anytime…

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Here’s an example of someone who takes their cooling to ridiculous extremes…

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That’s gotta be almost as loud as a jumbo jet taking off!

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And if the fans were all pointed the same way, would probably generate just as much lift!

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