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Processor Temperature

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by etoile 1 view

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I have a Pentium 4 1.7 GHz running in a Gigabyte GA-8IRXP mobo. I have the supplied fan on the processor, a fan extracting from the case near the processor, and another fan extracting from the top of the full tower.

Generally the monitoring feature shows the CPU temp around 41 degrees Celcius, but occasionally this rises to mid to high 50's (during video rendering etc).

What is a safe operating temp range for the CPU?

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by thechas

My Athlon and Duron CPU's are running around 35C to 41C under light duty use in a cool basement.

In the electronics industry in general, devices are considered to be in their "normal" operating range at temperatures up to 70C. Some automotive and military devices are certified to 125C.

So, 50C is within the range of acceptable temperatures.

If you are concerned that the CPU is not being properly cooled, I would open the case, and check the temperature across the CPU heatsink. If theheatsink is cool at the fan end, and very hot at the CPU end, it does not have good heat flow. I would install a better grade of heatsink/fan.

If the heatsink is cool at the CPU end, there is not good thermal transfer from the CPU to the heatsink.
Either the protective cover over the thermal transfer compound was not removed, or, you need a better grade of thermal compound.

If the entire heatsink is hot, you do not have enough fan power for your application. You need to get a better grade of heatsink/fan ASAP.

by thechas

You say you have 2 fans extracting. You likely do not have enough cool air flowing into the case.

You want to set up a possitve preasure of air inside the case.
You should have a fan blowing into the case with at least 10% more CFMs than the total of all exhaust fans, including the power supply fan.
Use a thin foam filter over the fan inlet to reduce dust buildup inside the case.

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