it's too hot

[Thor006]

I've got a thunderbird 800mHz with a coolermaster DP5 something with some generic thermal paste on an Asus A7V. I have one of those cases alienware uses most of the time (although the computer is not from alienware) with a fan in the front for intake and a smaller one in the back for exaust and a bigger one on the side in front of the cpu. Even with my case opened a bit for more airflow the best temperatures I can get idle is around 45-46 degrees C. I don't know what else to do, the cabling is as clean as I can make it and doesn't seem to restrict any airflow. Any help is apriciated.

[Hoot]

I just checked 5 different reviews of the DP5 and all gave it so-so reviews. Okay for Intel, Okay for k6-2/3,
Mediocre with 700 Duron.
You should consider getting a better HSF. With the proper investment, a good HSF will satisfy your current needs as well as the next two CPUs you buy. In the same price range ~$40.00, the following are good investments:

Millenium Glaciator (a cut above the rest)
ThermalRight SK-6 w/38cfm Delta fan
GlobalWin CAK-38 w/38cfm Delta fan
Taisol CGK760092 w/38cfm Delta fan
ThermoEngine w/38cfm Delta fan

Hoot

[RJ]

watch out for the Asus temp probes they read hot! I just went threw a week of changing things around then I put a temp probe against the core and it was 10*cooler than the board probe reads

[Thor006]

I was wondering about that Asus temp probe. Does anyone know where on the board the probe reads the MB temp on the A7V? Also does arctic silver thermal paste make a big difference? thanks for all your help.

[Hoot]

Depending upon the quality of the fininsh on your HSF baseplate, where it contacts the core, AS may improve your temps 1-3C. My experience has been the better the finish (IE lapped), the less the improvement.

Hoot

[YardPig]

The motherboard temps are read from the chip labelled Asus on the board which is located on the bottom right hand side.

[Dutch]

bear in mind that ASUS probe...reads about 10 degrees celcius..more, so subtract 10, Mobo monitor % seems to be pretty accurate

[William]

but even with those bad temp reporting, from hoot said and from what I know about coolermaster hsf, he could be doing much much better. Besides, any of those heatsinks will last more than one cpu.