Idle Temps

[Kallum765]

Hi there,

I've just finished assembling my new system. However, using Core Temp, I get a reading of 40 degrees when the CPU is idling in Windows, which seems high to me. I'm using an Intel Core 2 Duo E7200, which clocks down to 1.6GHz when idling (EIST) according to CPU-Z, running with 1.15V. It is being cooled by an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro with the pre-applied thermal paste. So what do you think, is this too hot? Should I try re-seating the CPU cooler?

Thanks for the help,

Kallum.

[Vash2051]

Re: Idle Temps

Whats the ambient temp of your room?

[Kallum765]

Re: Idle Temps

Whats the ambient temp of your room?

I'm afraid I don't have a thermometer to hand, but I'd say its probably around 20-25 degrees. BTW I'm using a Lancool K7 case with two 120mm intake fans and one 120mm exhaust fan. The fans spin at around 1000rpm.

EDIT: Just being doing some searches on Google, and it does seem to be on the high side, so will have a go at remounting it.

[AvalancheDiode]

Re: Idle Temps

Yeah that's pretty normal for air cooling. If you want to make it cooler on air, then you need to pay attention on air flow inside the case. You might want to make some planning and also buy some extra fans as well. Otherwise it might just be the hot air circulating and reducing your CPU HSF's cooling power.

[Kallum765]

Re: Idle Temps

Ok, I've checked to see if the cooler is mounted properly, which it seems to be. There seem to be many reports on the net that Core Temp isn't the most accurate program to use. I've tried to install Real Temp but it won't install (missing driver or something). Anyway, in the motherboard BIOS, the CPU temp is read as 23 degrees, but I have no idea if that is accurate or not. I think I'm gonna try disabling EIST to see how that affects the core temp reading.

[megawhompertoo]

Re: Idle Temps

it's important to balance exhaust w/intake. if you have more exhaust, then you create a vacuum and some noise. if you have more intake, then you get inefficient expulsion of the hot air in an enclosure.

having said that, 40C isn't terrible, edit, it's not even bad. you'd like it down to 35-38C, but you're not off the mark. monitor it under load--that's what's important. if it sticks solidly under 60C, you're fine.

also, make sure that the AC cpu fan is pushing air towards the exhaust fan.

edit: you could also get some arctic silver if the temps are going to keep you awake at night. the AC stuff is fine, but arctic silver is better, and from what i remember, the pre-applied AC thermal paste was too thick for my tastes. then again, it takes a while for both thermal pastes to perform optimally.

[Busby, Paul (Bicci)]

Re: Idle Temps

Even with a slightly unblanaced airflow, those temps seem high for a 45nm C2D CPU Could be a false reading, get speedfan, intel thermal analysis tool (TAT) and any that may come with your motherboard (eg asus boards can get an AI facility or something) and compare them all with the core temp reading just to be sure its not some kind of software incompatability issue with your motherboard.

Are you using stock cooler with the speed/temp controller on in bios?

[Mr. Quin]

Re: Idle Temps

I wouldn't worry about that most run in the mid 30's anyway.

[Kallum765]

Re: Idle Temps

Okay, I tried some load testing by using Crysis. With an average CPU load of 60%, the reading from Core Temp never went above 47 degrees, which leads me to believe that Core Temp may be reading the sensor incorrectly. If the cooler wasn't mounted correctly, then you'd expect to see a big temp increase, which didn't happen.

I've tried other software (Speedfan and PC Wizard 2008) and both give readings much lower than Core Temp, with the CPU idling in the high 20s, increasing to the mid 30s when under load playing Crysis.

[iQue]

Re: Idle Temps

I have around 40 C when idle and 55 C as most when under load... and I have horrible airflow in my case haha

I wouldn't worry too much unless you really think something is gonna break :p

[Busby, Paul (Bicci)]

Re: Idle Temps

I dont think the temps being high is the worry its just the fact that they seem wrong.