How do I lower my MB temp?

[frae]

I'm a relative newbie to overclocking (at least since the days of clock locked cpus) and I've been spending the last few days trying to whip my P3-800EB into shape. I have that combined with a CUSL2 and a brand spankin new Swiftech MCX370 cooler. While I have had a nice drop in temp from my prior numbers (w/ the retail intel cooler), things still seem too hot.

MB: 36 C
CPU: 40-41 C (IDLE!)

I have an intake fan down in front, an exhaust fan in back, and my PSU fan is blowing out as well.

My question concerns whether or not some Arctic Silver II might at least bring my CPU closer to my MB. I'm using the generic white stuff that came w/ the cooler. I've read a ton of reviews on ASII, but I'm not sure if it will help in my situation, with a relatively high MB temp.

If ASII isn't the answer, how can I get my cpu temp down? It seems like I've done everything I can (including drilling some bigger holes in the front of my case to aid in the intake).

I'm sure the fact that I'm living in a hot ass apartment in New York doesnt help, but I know its not 36 C in here either.

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

frae

[Über~PhLuBB]

Originally posted by frae
I'm a relative newbie to overclocking (at least since the days of clock locked cpus) and I've been spending the last few days trying to whip my P3-800EB into shape. I have that combined with a CUSL2 and a brand spankin new Swiftech MCX370 cooler. While I have had a nice drop in temp from my prior numbers (w/ the retail intel cooler), things still seem too hot.

MB: 36 C
CPU: 40-41 C (IDLE!)

I have an intake fan down in front, an exhaust fan in back, and my PSU fan is blowing out as well.

My question concerns whether or not some Arctic Silver II might at least bring my CPU closer to my MB. I'm using the generic white stuff that came w/ the cooler. I've read a ton of reviews on ASII, but I'm not sure if it will help in my situation, with a relatively high MB temp.

If ASII isn't the answer, how can I get my cpu temp down? It seems like I've done everything I can (including drilling some bigger holes in the front of my case to aid in the intake).

I'm sure the fact that I'm living in a hot ass apartment in New York doesnt help, but I know its not 36 C in here either.

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

frae

Do 3 things.

1) Purchase a newer, larger, non-stock heatsink that won't obstruct any capacitors on your mobo.

2) Lap the new heatsink, after, of course, discarding the old one.

3) Buy some Arctic Silver II and apply it.

[Jon]

36C is way hot for motherboard temp. Despite drilling more holes in the case you definately need better airflow into and out of that case.

If the air temp in your apt. is relatively just "warm" to you then your blowing "warm" air into a case that has parts that generate heat and warm that air even more.

For a quick fix you could try removing the side panels on your case. For the long term I would invest in some more fans.

Could also try rearranging your cables for better airflow throughout the case. Maybe even fold them over in a "W" effect and black tape them down. This will decrease their surface area and won't hinder airflow as much. Provides the same effect as the rounded cables you can buy.

All I can thinkof right now.

[frae]

Well, removing the case seems to gain me an extra 2 C on my MB, and the cpu is unchanged. As far as lapping my heatsink, its a Swiftech MCX370, which comes pretty nice and polished. I should have mentioned that I have this 800EB overclocked to 960, w/ a 160 fsb/mem & 1.85v. Although clocking it back to its normal settings doesnt seem to change the temp really at all. Maybe a fan actually mounted on my MB would help? I guess it would have to go right over the chipset.. I'm pretty much at a loss beyond that. It seems like 2 case fans ought to be pretty decent for a mid tower.

Thanks again

frae

[frae]

OK, now I'm thoroughly confused. I downloaded Sandra 2001, and its reporting that my MB is 24C, and my CPU is 36C.. ASUS' own utility claims way higher numbers.. wtf is going on here? (For that matter, the bios itself claims even higher numbers than PC Probe)


frae

[Silversinksam]

Check out your CPU and Mobo temps in your bios, most likely they will be the same as Sisoftsandra numbers, many people report problems with thier ASUS Utility reading/ My Asus Utility is dead on but for the majority I have heard that it reports the numbers 10* to high. :eek:


IMHO you have a fine Heatsink and its a shame you dont go the extra mile and apply a 'shmijjin' of Arctic Silver

[frae]

If anything, the temps reported in my bios (CUSL2 1009) are even higher than PC Probe is reporting. So basically, I'm dealing with 3 different sets of numbers that are very different. I'm tempted to trust Sandra, mostly because they're the lowest temps, and because I just put a $45 heat sink on my chip, and I'm unwilling to believe that it's still 41 C

Maybe I'll take this to the MB forum and see if other users have had the same problem w/ the CUSL2

frae

[frae]

OK, as far as I can tell, my Mobo is indeed 36C. Sandra and Hmonitor are both reporting that my CPU is down to a frosty 24C. Is it realistic for a mobo to be warmer than the processor? Sounds crazy to me. I suppose I will have to order some ASII just to squeeze that extra little bit of juice out of my HSF. Maybe I should order some better case fans while I'm at it.

frae