hello there

Yesterday I put together a system for my girlfriend because she wanted a faster computer. Today I was finishing installing and configuring the system, she started playing the new SIMS2 game. I noticed that the case was kind of hot to the touch so I checked the temp in the bios setup and the readings were above 120°F MB and 138°CPU I can't recall right now. After she stopped playing and the system was idling the readings fell quite a bit.
*** I need to go back to her house to get the readings again ****

System specs:
Mako Shark Mid Tower Case??
ASUS P4P800SE MB
P4 3.0E GHz Prescott
GeForceFX5500 OC Graphics Card
Maxtor HD
Integrated Sound
Mad Dog Air Blower Exhaust(back of case)
*going to by a fan for the front of the case *

Anyways are the temps too high, what could I do to drop the temps down?

BTW My system does not run that hot
Specs:
Antec Mid Tower Case
ASUS CUBX MB
PIII 667MHz
ATI Rage Fury Pro Graphics Card
Maxtor HD
Aureal Sound Card
Front case fan
Temps at IDLE
87° CPU / 84° MB

P.S. I will get back on those temps on her system

Well anyway I went back and the temps were as follows:
MB
105°-113°F

CPU
125°-136°F

Should I switch out the case ps for an Antec ps I have to see if it will make a difference?

The CPU was a retail boxed P4 with hsf and is there only 1 way of installing the P4 hsf and did I need to use any thermal compound before putting on the hsf?

Dude, when you're comparing Processor temps, you may as well be comparing a Pentium Pro to a P4 instead of that P3.

I don't have any specifics, but the P4 Prescott is a HOT chip. 58 degrees C (138 C) for an AMD chip would be a little hot, but I'd not expect it out of the question for that chip. You could check Intel's website (www.intel.com) for temperature specs, too.

But, if you wanted a good heatsink, my favorite maker is Swiftech. Their MCX-478 is probably one of the better P4 heatsinks out there, as you can mount an 80 or 92mm fan directly on the heatsink.

Agreed. The Prescott processors just about need a refrigeration unit to keep them cool, and a small power plant to run them!

If the system is going to be used for extensive gaming, then perhaps an aftermarket heatsink/fan unit is a wise choice. For other ideas about improving system cooling, have a read of "Dad, can I mod the case?"

My AMD XP Barton 2gig runs at 35C idle, 45-49C full load.
Most P4's i have seen idle in the late 40's and max out in the late 50's.
I'd say those temps are rather too high really, and running constantly at those temps will shorten the life of the silicon.
I'd suggest a bigger heatsink and fan, or at least a more efficient one.
And do get that fan for the front of the case drawing air in, You currently dont have a positive internal pressure for the case, and the air that is in the case is drawn in via the PSU (warming it as it comes in). So the air already sirculating within the case is already heated by the time its blown over the heatsink and then exhausted.
You should see a decent improvement with the addition of the front case fan. If its still way above the PIII, try some sort of heat pipe solution for the heatsink/fan on the P4.
I use a Hyper 6 (Coolermaster) but thats a bit goliath for most. SLK's are also very good but not exactly great for mounting on motherboards (very wide, hits lots of things on the motherboard).
Hope this helps, and good luck on the cooling

What processor you got there, ReDux, considering there's no such thing as a 2GHz Barton?

Well ok its 1.92xxx Close enough
hehe

I gotta 1.1GHz and it goes somewhat fast, wonder what the speed of a 3.0GHz would be, hmmmmm :surprised:

Okay well I got those temps down quite a bit.

I slapped on, well not literally, a Zalman HSF, Artic Silver 5 compound, two 80mm fans in the rear, 1 PC slot exhaust blower. Still need to put those front intake fans. And it is still quieter than the Intel HSF.

STOCK INTEL HSF:
Idle:
53°C/127°F CPU
41°C/105°F MB

Load:
Above 62°C CPU

THE NEW TEMPS:
Idle:
44°C/111°F CPU
36°C/97°F MB

Load with the same game:
54°C/129°F CPU

Well done, that's a good improvement.

One thing I'd suggest you consider with AS5 thermal compound. I believe, and a fair few fellow enthusiasts believe also, that the stuff loses some of its effectiveness over time. It'd be a good idea to adopt the practice of once every year removing the heatsink, cleaning it and the processor, replacing the compound and refitting it.

The job is not really a 'biggie' to adopt as a routine maintenance task, and it'll keep things running well for longer