55degreesC idling in BIOS???HELP

[biko]

I got a probelm guys. My cpu temp is 55 to 58 degress c idling in Bios : [. I am still building the computer and the case is open. I have an Asus a7a266 with a T-bird 1.2 (not overclocked).My heatsink is on properly, I checked three times and there is a thin layer of Thermal Compound on the cpu core(RadioShack), underneath the Heatsink. I dont have any case fans on yet, so I know that will affect the temp so I put a large house fan aiming directly on the heatsink on high and I got it down only to 53.5 c.

The V-Core Voltage is defaulting @ 1.8.

I dont know if this temp is good or bad? This is my first attempt @ building a PC.

Please help me. I am trying not to fry this AMD 1.2 chip.

Obviously if its idling @ 55c then theres no point on trying to install an OS or even doing anything. So i'm hooped in a matter of words.

Desperately seeking help or suggestions.

[tim]

It seems strange but It happened to me more than one time. My system's CPU temp was up to 60C + and I was panic. It was a big heat sink and a 80x80 fan, 36.5 cfm. But after trying to seat the Heat Sink properly on top of the CPU that brought the CPU temp down to 35 C easily. I hope that is your case too :-) :-) :-)

[Radak]

First of all, make sure you have a good thermal grease (like Artic Silver II), and a good heatsink/fan combo. What heatsink and fan are you using? If you want proper cooling get any of the FOPS or the vantec heatsink/fan combos. Also, make sure the heatsink you're using is sitting flush against the cpu. Another point to take into account is to use thermal grease properly (use a credit card when applying it, it has to be a think layer on the heatsink). For starters, check and see if the heatsink is properly seated on the cpu.

Hope these pointers help out.

Good Luck

[biko]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I think the heatsink is seated right, it is alligned with everything. The only thing is the Thermoengine heatsink I have doesnt sit directly under the center. It sits just ofcenter. Its not just me I read the reviews about this Heatsink(after purchasing it) syaing the same thing.

Could this be the problem.

Ill try the credit card thing and mess around with it a little more.

Thxz for the advice guys

I could use more too.

[Radak]

ohh man, byko don't boot up your pc if the heatsink is not seated properly on the cpu, you will burn your cpu :(. Get some AS II and use it with your thermoengine heatsink, your temps will drop a bit anyways. When You apply any thermal grease install the heatsink, and uninstall it. After uninstalling the heatsink check if you have a marked square at the botton fo the heatsink :). If you do that means that it is touching the cpu core ;).

Here is a link that might be helpful .

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

Once again Good Luck

[biko]

mark is there.

Any other advice?

Maybe Flash the BIOS?

[Hoot]

biko (May 01, 2001 12:52 a.m.):
Thanks for the advice guys.

I think the heatsink is seated right, it is alligned with everything. The only thing is the Thermoengine heatsink I have doesnt sit directly under the center. It sits just ofcenter. Its not just me I read the reviews about this Heatsink(after purchasing it) syaing the same thing.

Could this be the problem.


No that is not unusual for the ThermoEngine. I've been experimenting with one and they do set a little off dead center. I played with the one I had, varying the centering. It did not have any appreciable impact on the temp.
Now, the finish on the bottom of it does have an impact on performance. The one I have had forging ridges all across it. With Arctic Silver, they were not as big a factor, but with conventional heatsink grease, like you are using, you should lap that base. That will have an impact on the heat. Also, the stock fan it comes with is way too wimpy for larger heat loads like yours. If you are using the stock fan, definitely consider getting a beefier 60mm fan, or an 80mm stepdown adapter and use an 80mm.

Hoot