Is it a problem if my non-OC'ed P4 1.8A is already at 42*C?!

[Floodblur]

For some reason, my BIOS says it's already at 42*C, and it's not overclocked or anything. I'm only using the Intel Retail HS, no thermal paste either. I'm kind of worried b\c it seems like most say theres is around 30-32*C, and I can't figure out why mine would be so high. I'm using an Abit TH7-II mobo, and I've got the retail fan on the cpu and two fans at the rear of my case and they're all working properly. Thanks

 

[funnyperson1]

take the crappy intel thermal pad off, then lap the base then buy some thermal (AS3) compund to put in there and im sure your temps will drop to like 36full load.....

AND WELCOME TO THE FORUMS

 

[TUK101]

ditto what funnyperson said. The thermal pads are thermal allright, they dont work for crap. Get some good thermal paste on there and watch those temps drop to a more acceptable temp.

 

[Floodblur]

What exactly do you mean "lap" the base. I understand the part about removing that grey thermal pad. Does lapping something require machinery? lol, sorry, just not sure of what to do.

 

[Rezman5]

Lapping is taking a high grit sandpaper (600-1500 grit) and making the base of your seatsink smooth and flat. Find a flat surface and put the sandpaper down. Put a little water on the paper, and put the heatsink on top. Apply slight downward pressure and make a figure 8 movement on the sandpaper. Do this until the base is flat. Make sure to clean the paper once and a while to clear away the metal shavings! Most people lap like this


600 Grit to get the base smooth
800 Grit to get out the scratches from the 600 grit
1000 see above but to get rid of 800 grit scratches
1500...get the picture?

Hope this helps. Make sure you check out www.articsilver.com for how to apply thermal paste!

 

[funnyperson1]

also if the base is really screwed (like it has ridges and stuff) then you shoudl start with 300grit sandpaper....

 

[batboy]

If 42 degrees is CPU full load temps, that's fairly typical for a P-4 with just the retail cooler and thermal pad. Trouble is, you will not be able to overclock it to it's full potential. I'd like to know who is saying the have a 30-32 degree temp with a P-4 and retail cooler because there is no way that's CPU load temp (maybe water cooled). My Swiftech, which is the best air cooler you can buy, never ran that cool even at default speed and voltage. Lapping and a good thermal paste is a good idea if you can't afford a better cooler right now. I think there is an article about heatsink lapping on the mainpage. If not, do a search on the forums.

 

[Floodblur]

Maybe I'm confused about what you mean by "full load". It says the cpu is at 42*C in the BIOS before windows or anything has even started up. I figured that would be the idle temperature which seems a little high for the idle temp. I don't know. Maybe I need to just reinstall the heatsink and ensure it's on right, in addition to what you guys have already recommended.

 

[Lt. Max]

idle is when you have had your computer on and you havent done anything then surf the net or write a letter and stuff like that
you can get your idle temp buy bootin up and staying then idling or leaving your comp for 30 mins
full load is when your cpu use is at 100% you can get several programs to achieve this or you can play a graphic intensive game for an hour or so to get the full load temps

 

[batboy]

You need a temp and voltage monitoring program. You'll never get reliable temps by only looking in the BIOS. When you first boot up, the CPU does warm up considerable. I'd say that your BIOS CPU temps are somewhere between idle and load. In that case, you probably are running a little warmer than you should. CPUs seem to handle a lot of temp when running at default speeds and voltage, but as soon as you start overclocking, temps need to be under control or else you'll have stability problems.

 

[Hellraiser]

lapping the cpu?

i think i have to lap my cpu because i had the same problem as Floodblur.
i did everything correctly and think i should lap my p4....

although i havnt lapped the heatsink yet...maybe i should do that before i lay the p4.....

has ne1 lapped his p4 yet? maybe cause of the same reason??

please let me know. thx