HOT (?) athlon axia 1.2ghz

[DjPhilip]

I own an Athlon axia 1.2Ghz Fsb266 mounted on an Asus a7a266 m/b. The temp (without any overclocking) varies from 59c (idle) to 65c (when divxing). Isn't TOOO hot this ? I thought I must normally get 42c or something...will I get better performance if I lower this temperature ?
Thanks, Philip

[TranceBear]

DjPhilip (Jun 10, 2001 05:52 p.m.):
I own an Athlon axia 1.2Ghz Fsb266 mounted on an Asus a7a266 m/b. The temp (without any overclocking) varies from 59c (idle) to 65c (when divxing). Isn't TOOO hot this ? I thought I must normally get 42c or something...will I get better performance if I lower this temperature ?
Thanks, Philip

That is way too hot, getting close to dangerous. What are your stats, like H/S and fans? Maybe a better H/S combo may do you well and good thermal compound. I am partial to the Vantec, but there are many good ones out there depending on your funds. The Vantec was $20USD + shipping. A couple good case fans wouldn't hurt either, 80mm or 120mm. Good Luck!!

[Da Whip]

Check and make sure the HSF is properly seated. What are you using for monitoring the temps?

[DjPhilip]

For monitoring the temperatures, I use the motherboard's indications (in the bios). But also the Motherboard Monitor 5 (in w2k). I get the same measurement from both, always very hot (up to 65c). My hsf is a cooler master that seems big enough, and theoritically can handle up to 1.2Ghz. Could the sensor of the asus motherboard measure differently the temperatures...?

[TranceBear]

DjPhilip (Jun 10, 2001 06:37 p.m.):
For monitoring the temperatures, I use the motherboard's indications (in the bios). But also the Motherboard Monitor 5 (in w2k). I get the same measurement from both, always very hot (up to 65c). My hsf is a cooler master that seems big enough, and theoritically can handle up to 1.2Ghz. Could the sensor of the asus motherboard measure differently the temperatures...?


If I am not mistaken, the CoolMaster is the bone stock fan and heatsink that many retailers use. It is barely good enough, I agree with DaWhip about checking with seating of the H/S. I lowered my temp by 5c by re-seating my H/S better.

[DjPhilip]

I tried to re-seat my hsf 2-3 times, the temperature remains 60-65c. Then I used a new thermal pad on it and it went 58-64c, so the problem is still there...

[gdoc]

If your running bios v.1004, switch back to v.1003b, you'll drop your temp 10c immediately. if your already using v.1003b then that is very hot. I switched cases over the weekend to an Antec sx830 and reverted back to previous bios and went from 54c to 38c.

[DjPhilip]

Thank you all guys. Gdoc, I do have v1004 of bios....so you think it's a sort of error of the motherboard's bios version...It can be that...can you send me to klania@yahoo.com the 1003 version? My m/b was sold with the 1004 and the 1003 isn't on the asus site!

[gdoc]

I don't know if v.1004 actually changes the temp or if it just screws with the reading. But since it made no other noticable improvements it wasn't worth the risk. Anyway I sent v.1003b. good luck!

[DjPhilip]

Thanks gdoc ! I put the (older) 1003b bios version and it now shows 10c less! (so I am now at 50-52c). I believe although that it was just a kind of bug of the 1004 bios...I also think it's a good idea to upgrade to a better HSF (alpha?) and arctic silver II to overclock the athlon.

[Da Whip]

Read these recent reviews and decide how thick your wallet is;
http://www.neoseeker.com/resourcelink.html?rlid=36359
http://www.neoseeker.com/resourcelink.html?rlid=36359

[DjPhilip]

Thanks DaWhip,
I finally bought an alpha pal6035muc and this lowered the cpu temp 5-6c compared to the cooler master. I' ll soon put some arctic silver 2 to see the differences.
The alpha is well constructed, silent and effective. I couldn't work with a lot of noise ! I must now examine the best overclocking combination for my motherboard.