n00b with ugly temps

[mrilock]

I need some advice: I was running hot idle and load with an non-overclocked machine, and I haven't been able to cool it properly. I've done a lot of reading, but it doesn't seem like I need to do anything dramatic but install perhaps a better HSF... Unfortunately, I didn't get the cooling I expected.

My machine was running stock:
idle: 53c cpu, 26c system
load: 63c cpu, 27c system

Took off stock Athlon hsf, put on PAL8045 with Sunon 50CFM, arctic silver for paste... (first motherboard removal ever, ulp!)

idle: 50c cpu, 21c system
load: 59c cpu, 22c system

honestly, for around $50 and increased noise, I expected a better result than 3-4 degrees celsius. What really drives me nuts is that my system temp is so low, and I still can't get my cpu temp any closer to the system temp...

Any advice?

[Intraveinous]

I haven't played with an 8045 yet, but it looks to be the same mounting as the Swiftech MC462. Make sure you have the screws screwed all the way down, or as far as the manual tells you to. I had a problem where all of the sudden after I had dismounted and remounted my MC462, I was at 58C... Tightened the screws a lil bit and bam, down to 35C again... hehe... Other thing to check is that the standoffs aren't turning along with the screws, if this is happening, take them out and put a small dab of superglue around the mounting hole in the mobo. Then screw the standoff back down. Make those as tight as possible as well, I used a pair of nut drivers on mine, one to fit the standoff and one to fit the nut.
One way to test if this is the problem without taking things apart is to lay your computer on its side, take the side off of it, and while it's running and has MBM 5 or some other temp monitor running, put your fingers on the 4 corners of the fan and push down a bit and hold it. If the temps go down, you'll need to tighten it...
Hope this helps
Peace
John

[JetMech]

I agree with Intraveinous. You have one of the two top HSF's available for your setup. Even with poor case cooling you should be seeing better numbers. There is a problem with the transfer of heat between cpu and HSF or your motherboard monitor calibration is off. There is an article at the artic silver web site www.arcticsilver.com which gives instructions on calibrating your cpu diode. Also think back to your thermal paste installation and ask yourself if your cleaned the surfaces with alcohol to remove grease from fingers etc. You should be able to shave at least 10C from that full load number. Hope this helps.:)

[mrilock]

Thought I'd provide an update... my cpu temps under load have dropped to 53c!!!
Still not stellar, but still, I've now seen a 10c drop from the original, stock hsf to the pal8045.
I just read (it always happens, after the fact, right?) on the amd website about arctic silver's "break in period", whereupon temps can drop another 2-4c. Well, I got at least a 4-5c drop over the last two days. Sweet.

This week, I'll try to pull the heatsink off, superglue the nylon bits to the mobo, thoroughly clean the heatsink/cpu, put in another washer, the reapply the ac2 much smoother this time... I put it on so badly last time, it was nearly chunky...

Then I'll make sure to tighten the hsf TIGHT ENOUGH this time, and cross my fingers waiting for the temps to go down, down, down. :-)

Honestly, the hardest thing the first time was getting the balls to pull my computer compltetely apart. But now that I've pulled my comp apart for the first time, I have no doubts I can do it again, so I'm way pumped. w00t!
Thanks guys!

[Intraveinous]

No prob at all... That's what I love about these forums, everyone's always here to help...
Peace
John

[JetMech]

Originally posted by Intraveinous
No prob at all... That's what I love about these forums, everyone's always here to help...
Peace
John Ditto. good luck.

[Frodo Baggins]

Hmmm...a problem I saw alot of my friends do is after applying the thermal grease, there was still space between the two surfaces

Make sure your heatsink is totally smooth, and there are no defects. After applying the asII on, put your mobo up to a light and see if you can spot light between the core and heatsink

that being said, you try to put as little grease as possible (about half a grain of rice), and make sure all you can see is a translucent shade of white.

unusual temps for such a good cooler though