Chilly T-Bird: Is it ever too cold?

[JJ32]

Curious about the healthy operating temp of my CPU. I am using a Gwin WBK 38 and some serious case fans that could literally "cut your finger off" from the high RPMs in my case (there's like 5 of them). Also using Arctic Silver II!

It is so cold (air cooling anyway) that it never rises above 31 C with a serious load. It can drop as low as 15 C idle. This is with a 250 MHZ overclock! Is 15 C OK. Most people have the opposite problem and I don't think I have a problem here, but I'm curious about running idle @ 15 C. I'm almost positive it's cool. Is there any known issues that could arise? Like any bad ones? Bad for core or extremely healthy?

Have to ask. Otherwise I'm freakin' lovin it. Too bad my CPU is maxed out though!

[wild_andy_c]

Motherboard based temperature monitoring is far from effective or useful.

Take any readings with a pinch of salt.

A CPU can never be too cold.

CMOS will run faster and faster down to absolute zero where it shgould theoretically switch at an infinate speed.

[MsNath]

As a general rule you can never have your system too cool.

The exceptions to the rule are:
1) running your system at the dew point. Which is is the temprature at which condensation starts to form. Have your system a few degrees warmer or a few degrees cooler than that temp. Dew point temp changes from day to day. Monitor your local airport weather service to find out what the dew point is in your area.

2) Below -50c I have heard, but not experienced problems with cpu operating below -50c. Chances are unless your using liquid nitrogen or a beefed up Vapo Chill your not going to get you cpu this cold.

3) I have had HDD, FDD, and CD drive running at sub zero temps with no problems. However, common sense says that this is not a good idea. Moving parts and cold temps are not good combinations.

[wild_andy_c]

Ms Nath, you most beautiful overclocking goddess,

I like your comment, why not come over to my place one evening for a meal and a glass of fine wine.......................shucks - not a dating forum!!!!!


The reality of things is :

When supercooling the CMOS state semiconductor it is very unlkely due to the extreme temperature isolation that any moving parts would be subject to the cold temperature.

Let's not lose sight however of the fact that it is not the cold that prevents moving parts from moving, more the ice that is deposited on them apart from in certain thermoplastic polymeric materials whereby the glass transition period is encroached.