3500+ idle too high for me to consider OC?

[Flyingbig]

Running an AMD64 3500+ with a 120mm Zalman heatsink/fan on it, i am idling at 48-50c so should i even attempt to overclock? To me my idle temp seems abit on the high side.

 

[JohnAn2112]

Which core CPU are you running? If it's a Venice or Winchester, that's way too high. I would try reseating the heatsink and reapplying AS5.

 

[crispy2010]

Originally posted by: JohnAn2112
Which core CPU are you running? If it's a Venice or Winchester, that's way too high. I would try reseating the heatsink and reapplying AS5.

Agreed, you might want to make sure that the progy that is being used for temps is correct. Check bios for temps!

 

[Enectic]

Way, way to high. My 3000+ Winchester has been running prime for the past 4+ hours at 2.3 Ghz and 1.44 vcore and it's sitting at a comfortable 48 C with a K8 silentboost.

 

[PClark99]

Unless you have a case with no ventilation thats way too high.

 

[anandtechrocks]

Remount the HS, what motherboard do you have? My MSI K8N Neo2 had some messed up temps it might something similar to that. My San Diego @ 2.8 GHz (1.45V) Idles in the high twenties and after 32M of Super PI barely misses 40C (my computer sounds like a Jet though).

 

[Flyingbig]

Originally posted by: PClark99
Unless you have a case with no ventilation thats way too high.

Spot on, i have no case fans and the case is open atm. So is it as simple as that? Is it even abit high for a case that is open and no case fans installed?

I have installed the Zalman twice so i really don't think that is the issue, also the last heatsink/fan ran temps like this, slightly worse actually. I have no idea what cpu i have, as far as i am concerned it is a bog standard 3500+ bought about a year ago.

 

[Viditor]

Originally posted by: Flyingbig

Originally posted by: PClark99
Unless you have a case with no ventilation thats way too high.

Spot on, i have no case fans and the case is open atm. So is it as simple as that? Is it even abit high for a case that is open and no case fans installed?

I have installed the Zalman twice so i really don't think that is the issue, also the last heatsink/fan ran temps like this, slightly worse actually. I have no idea what cpu i have, as far as i am concerned it is a bog standard 3500+ bought about a year ago.

If you bought it a year ago, then it's probably a 130nm Clawhammer CG version. And yes, it will run significantly hotter than current Venice versions at 90nm. It's rated to 70C, but you might want to get some case fans blowing on it...
You might also make sure that there is no dust on the HSF and update the bios.

Edit: FYI, there are 6 different revisions of the 3500+...
Check here

 

[shinzwei]

Originally posted by: Flyingbig

Originally posted by: PClark99
Unless you have a case with no ventilation thats way too high.

Spot on, i have no case fans and the case is open atm. So is it as simple as that? Is it even abit high for a case that is open and no case fans installed?

I have installed the Zalman twice so i really don't think that is the issue, also the last heatsink/fan ran temps like this, slightly worse actually. I have no idea what cpu i have, as far as i am concerned it is a bog standard 3500+ bought about a year ago.

Download CPU-Z and see what core it is.

 

[Flyingbig]

Seems it is a Newcastle cpu so am i right in saying this is running at 130nm? When it was mentioned that it was rated at 70c does that mean it is normal to run at that speed? At full load overclocked it is reach 65c when i check right after exiting a game. My cpu seems to be making a whining noise, subtle but noticable and i think my zalman is magnifying the noise and its like having a constant intermitent hum coming from your PC, highly annoying. Turning down the fan helps of course but this disappoints me, the noise was worse with the heatsink that came with the cpu and thats why i changed to a 120mm zalman.

BTW i have no problems with games, no crashes, no BOSD it was only the temperature it is running at that caught my eye and concerned me.

 

[Viditor]

Originally posted by: Flyingbig
Seems it is a Newcastle cpu so am i right in saying this is running at 130nm? When it was mentioned that it was rated at 70c does that mean it is normal to run at that speed? At full load overclocked it is reach 65c when i check right after exiting a game. My cpu seems to be making a whining noise, subtle but noticable and i think my zalman is magnifying the noise and its like having a constant intermitent hum coming from your PC, highly annoying. Turning down the fan helps of course but this disappoints me, the noise was worse with the heatsink that came with the cpu and thats why i changed to a 120mm zalman.

BTW i have no problems with games, no crashes, no BOSD it was only the temperature it is running at that caught my eye and concerned me.

The rating means that it's "safe" to run at those temps...however, keep in mind that the higher the temp, the shorter the lifespan of the chip. As to the "whining" noise, I've never in my life heard of a CPU making any noise (except maybe the sickening "POP" sound if you blow one...). My guess is that it's the Zalman (bearings maybe?)...

 

[Flyingbig]

Originally posted by: Viditor

Originally posted by: Flyingbig
Seems it is a Newcastle cpu so am i right in saying this is running at 130nm? When it was mentioned that it was rated at 70c does that mean it is normal to run at that speed? At full load overclocked it is reach 65c when i check right after exiting a game. My cpu seems to be making a whining noise, subtle but noticable and i think my zalman is magnifying the noise and its like having a constant intermitent hum coming from your PC, highly annoying. Turning down the fan helps of course but this disappoints me, the noise was worse with the heatsink that came with the cpu and thats why i changed to a 120mm zalman.

BTW i have no problems with games, no crashes, no BOSD it was only the temperature it is running at that caught my eye and concerned me.

The rating means that it's "safe" to run at those temps...however, keep in mind that the higher the temp, the shorter the lifespan of the chip. As to the "whining" noise, I've never in my life heard of a CPU making any noise (except maybe the sickening "POP" sound if you blow one...). My guess is that it's the Zalman (bearings maybe?)...

Well when ppl talk about a fan being inaudible they must be talking nonsense because i can hear an intermittent hum from this fan and thats it on its lowest spin if i put it on high not only does the hum get louder but i can hear the fan rattling ever so slightly which doesn't happen at low speed. Of course i have my case open so if i was to close it then these noises wouldn't be sooo audible but thats not a good idea with this case i have as the temperatures will sky rocket further. Looks like i need a new case, one that sits a 120mm fan on the rear and a new cpu fan as soo far i am disappointed with this zalman. Anyone got an recommendations for a good cool quiet case? Also i guess i am looking for a 90nm cpu to get lower temps but will performance suffer?

 

[Leper Messiah]

Originally posted by: Flyingbig

Originally posted by: Viditor

Originally posted by: Flyingbig
Seems it is a Newcastle cpu so am i right in saying this is running at 130nm? When it was mentioned that it was rated at 70c does that mean it is normal to run at that speed? At full load overclocked it is reach 65c when i check right after exiting a game. My cpu seems to be making a whining noise, subtle but noticable and i think my zalman is magnifying the noise and its like having a constant intermitent hum coming from your PC, highly annoying. Turning down the fan helps of course but this disappoints me, the noise was worse with the heatsink that came with the cpu and thats why i changed to a 120mm zalman.

BTW i have no problems with games, no crashes, no BOSD it was only the temperature it is running at that caught my eye and concerned me.

The rating means that it's "safe" to run at those temps...however, keep in mind that the higher the temp, the shorter the lifespan of the chip. As to the "whining" noise, I've never in my life heard of a CPU making any noise (except maybe the sickening "POP" sound if you blow one...). My guess is that it's the Zalman (bearings maybe?)...

Well when ppl talk about a fan being inaudible they must be talking nonsense because i can hear an intermittent hum from this fan and thats it on its lowest spin if i put it on high not only does the hum get louder but i can hear the fan rattling ever so slightly which doesn't happen at low speed. Of course i have my case open so if i was to close it then these noises wouldn't be sooo audible but thats not a good idea with this case i have as the temperatures will sky rocket further. Looks like i need a new case, one that sits a 120mm fan on the rear and a new cpu fan as soo far i am disappointed with this zalman. Anyone got an recommendations for a good cool quiet case? Also i guess i am looking for a 90nm cpu to get lower temps but will performance suffer?

If you buy a new proc, just get a 3000+ venice and OC the hell out of it. That zalman should be more than enough for one of those. Case wise, i dunno. depends on your budget and whether or not you like rice.

 

[govtcheez75]

Maybe you should take that Zalman off and try your stock heatsink? Apparently some people are getting AMAZING (read: unbelievable) Results from them.

 

[Viditor]

Originally posted by: govtcheez75
Maybe you should take that Zalman off and try your stock heatsink? Apparently some people are getting AMAZING (read: unbelievable) Results from them.

It really isn't that amazing...take a look at this article from Lost Circuits. They actually isolated the CPU power on the mobo, and made a very accurate measurement on the power draw.
Note that the Venice core at 2.4 GHz under 100% load draws only 29.2w of power, while the Newcastle core at the very same speed (2.4 GHz) draws 59.2w...
The rev E core was a truly remarkable enhancement for AMD...

 

[Duvie]

you need to even with an open case to try to get some cross ventilation and make sure you are expelling the exhaust of the warm cpu heat and not jus recycling it as the air cooling the HSF...It is not so much just to be exposed to colder air as it is to avoid STAGNANT AIR...IE no movement....


130nm were warmer but even in reviews I saw it should be but morte the 4-5c versus 90nm winchesters with same HSF.....There is not reason this with an aftermarket fan shouldn't be in high 30's low 40's max....You are doing something wrong definitely...