AMD Athlon XP 2500+ Operating Temp

[bigdan4712]

Guys,

I just installed my new AMD Athlon processor, and I'm a bit concerned about the operating temperature. Even when I first start up the computer, it runs at 50-55 degrees Celsius. I have tried putting my case fans in, and I have no more room for them! Is this a normal operating temperature? If so....I wont be concerned. Thanks!

Dan

 

[BlueWeasel]

Well, what are you using for cooling, both for your case and CPU?
If you are using the AMD-supplied heatsink and fan, did you remove the thermal pad from the heatsink and apply thermal compound?
Are you overclocking?

If you have marginal case fans and cooling, and you are using the retail AMD heatsink/fan, then a 2500+ running at 50-55C is reasonable.

 

[bigdan4712]

Would thermal compound be better?
AMD Recommends the pad...but if that is the case, then I will use the thermal compound over the pad.
Im using the AMD stock fan...Dont wanna void my warranty. :-D

 

[bigdan4712]

Oh by the way.

I do not overclock. I can't see why people overclock, when its not safe, and definatley not a good habit.
If you overclock like 400mhz...you dont even notice the difference. (At least I don't.) So why take the risk?

Thanks.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Well, maybe some of the other guys can correct me if I am wrong, but I think that removing the thermal pad will void your warranty. But how would they know anyway? Either way, if you are still around 55C under full CPU load, your fine with the stock AMD fan.

If you don't want to void the warranty and have cooler temps, then your best bet would be to get a better cooler and apply some thermal compound. If you don't plan on overclocking, then I recommend a Speeze Whisperock from Newegg.

I've never used one, but the user reviews are really good. Like I said, it's not the way to go if you want to OC, but it will give you better performance and will be more quiet as compared to the stock fan.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: bigdan4712
Oh by the way.

I do not overclock. I can't see why people overclock, when its not safe, and definatley not a good habit.
If you overclock like 400mhz...you dont even notice the difference. (At least I don't.) So why take the risk?

Well, for a lot of us, it's an obsession to see how much we can get out of the chips. Take the 2500+ you've got....

Most 2500+ will hit 3200+ speeds with the right motherboard and RAM. Since the only difference between the 3200+ (which is currently $220) and the 2500+ ($90) is the 3200+ is running at a faster 200 FSB. Just raise your FSB to 200 and your $90 2500+ becomes a $220 3200+.

Get started in some that's heavily dependent on your FSB like video encoding and I guarantee you'll notice a huge difference between 166 FSB and 200 FSB. Granted for everyday stuff like browsing, email, etc., you don't see a difference.

 

[bigdan4712]

Well...

Maybe I'll give it a shot. But i think i may want a better heatsink and fan first. IF you have AOL instant messanger....IM me because I may need help with overclocking. I have EasyTune4 that came with my motherboard...dunno if youve used it before.

Thanks for your help.

Dan

 

[Mustanggt]

Originally posted by: bigdan4712
Oh by the way.

I do not overclock. I can't see why people overclock, when its not safe, and definatley not a good habit.
If you overclock like 400mhz...you dont even notice the difference. (At least I don't.) So why take the risk?

Thanks.

I have mine overclocked 700mhz and I would say I notice the difference that along with pushing ram to its limits yeilds a whole new machine.

 

[dnuggett]

Originally posted by: bigdan4712
Oh by the way.

I do not overclock. I can't see why people overclock, when its not safe, and definatley not a good habit.
If you overclock like 400mhz...you dont even notice the difference. (At least I don't.) So why take the risk?

Thanks.

Get outta here with that crap....... :disgust:

 

[nycdude]

Some of the 2500+ chips out there are now locked so overclocking is more difficult for ya.

 

[Sid59]

Originally posted by: nycdude
Some of the 2500+ chips out there are now locked so overclocking is more difficult for ya.

just no changing multipliers.

 

[christgg]

I have the same processor and I cannot even get it past 1100Mhz. I have the processor on a DFI LanParty board. I have 1 GB of RAM and A Volcano 9t on the processor. Along with that Ive got an ANTEC 420W power supply with 3 fans and a case which I forget the name of the company but its got alot of fans and its aluminum. I have all extraneous cords ziptied away and I have round IDE cables.

Now onto the problem...

Every time I adjust the BIOS past the default settings, the computer runs for a while and then shuts down. The higher I adjust the BIOS the shorter it runs until it just dies and then I have to let it sit for a while. What is the problem?

 

[fibes]

Originally posted by: bigdan4712
Would thermal compound be better?
AMD Recommends the pad...but if that is the case, then I will use the thermal compound over the pad.
Im using the AMD stock fan...Dont wanna void my warranty. :-D

I just finished building my rig and I'm @ 38c-40c idle. I would definately removed the heatsink, remove that useless thermal pad(that AMD recommends) and apply Arctic Silver thermal compound, either A.S. #3 or A.S. #5. If you look around you can Arctic Silver for about $5 - $7 @

Nexfan or SVC.

Once you receive your compound goto Arctic Silver's instructions application instructions.

I would recommend removing the CPU from your mobo before applying the compound. This just makes it easier to get an even coat of thermal paste across the die. However, make sure you don't touch the die or pins. Just hold the processor on the edges and you should be ok. Once this is done you should see a dramatic drop change in temps.

 

[Johnbear007]

Originally posted by: christgg
I have the same processor and I cannot even get it past 1100Mhz. I have the processor on a DFI LanParty board. I have 1 GB of RAM and A Volcano 9t on the processor. Along with that Ive got an ANTEC 420W power supply with 3 fans and a case which I forget the name of the company but its got alot of fans and its aluminum. I have all extraneous cords ziptied away and I have round IDE cables.

Now onto the problem...

Every time I adjust the BIOS past the default settings, the computer runs for a while and then shuts down. The higher I adjust the BIOS the shorter it runs until it just dies and then I have to let it sit for a while. What is the problem?

since 1830 is stock for the processor if you have it running at 1100 you are either doing something wrong, or you have a defective chip

 

[Johnbear007]

Well, I have my 2500+ @ 2200 and it ran fine that way with the stock cooling, and I got temps of about 47 or so WITH it overclocked. Removing the htermal pad will void your warranty.

Right now I have an SLK-900A heatsink with a 92mm Zalman fan on it, and the Temps at 2200mhz are about 39 with fans at full speed, and 46 with fans all at 7 volts ( I use a variable fan speed controller)

So I think 55 is high, but not dangerous. The processor is rated up to 85 I think.

As fas as noticing a difference, well in windows you probably wont, but gaming, 400 extra mhz on an athlon is significant to say the least. Also, considering that I am getting lower temps with a 400mhz overclock than you are stock, I am not worried. I doubt I will use this chip for long enough to worry about the reduction of its lifespan. I may have reduced its life span from 50years to 25 years, and I seriously doubt that I will be using any of the components in or attached to this PC in 25 years.

 

[Johnbear007]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
Well, maybe some of the other guys can correct me if I am wrong, but I think that removing the thermal pad will void your warranty. But how would they know anyway? Either way, if you are still around 55C under full CPU load, your fine with the stock AMD fan.

If you don't want to void the warranty and have cooler temps, then your best bet would be to get a better cooler and apply some thermal compound. If you don't plan on overclocking, then I recommend a Speeze Whisperock from Newegg.

I've never used one, but the user reviews are really good. Like I said, it's not the way to go if you want to OC, but it will give you better performance and will be more quiet as compared to the stock fan.

Using ANY other cooling solution than the stock provided will void the warranty. Also, the speeze isnt any better than the stock cooler he has. I doubt it would drop his temps at all. There is no point in replacing the stock heatsink unless you are going to spend the money to do it right.

 

[Johnbear007]

Originally posted by: christgg
I have the same processor and I cannot even get it past 1100Mhz. I have the processor on a DFI LanParty board. I have 1 GB of RAM and A Volcano 9t on the processor. Along with that Ive got an ANTEC 420W power supply with 3 fans and a case which I forget the name of the company but its got alot of fans and its aluminum. I have all extraneous cords ziptied away and I have round IDE cables.

Now onto the problem...

Every time I adjust the BIOS past the default settings, the computer runs for a while and then shuts down. The higher I adjust the BIOS the shorter it runs until it just dies and then I have to let it sit for a while. What is the problem?

Could be the powersupply. Try swapping it. Troubleshooting is all about process of elimination. Try each stick of RAM sperperatley and see if that changes, swap the PSU, the video card etc. Until the only thing left is the mobo/processor, then try to swap one of those out as well.

its all about swapping.

 

[Johnbear007]

Originally posted by: fibes

Originally posted by: bigdan4712
Would thermal compound be better?
AMD Recommends the pad...but if that is the case, then I will use the thermal compound over the pad.
Im using the AMD stock fan...Dont wanna void my warranty. :-D

I just finished building my rig and I'm @ 38c-40c idle. I would definately removed the heatsink, remove that useless thermal pad(that AMD recommends) and apply Arctic Silver thermal compound, either A.S. #3 or A.S. #5. If you look around you can Arctic Silver for about $5 - $7 @

Nexfan or SVC.

Once you receive your compound goto Arctic Silver's instructions application instructions.

I would recommend removing the CPU from your mobo before applying the compound. This just makes it easier to get an even coat of thermal paste across the die. However, make sure you don't touch the die or pins. Just hold the processor on the edges and you should be ok. Once this is done you should see a dramatic drop change in temps.

The thermal pad works fine if he isnt overclocking, the only thing that will happen is that his warranty will be voided.

 

[pspada]

Um, AMD recommends that you remove the thermal pad and replace it if you remove and then reseat the hs. I'm pretty sure it does not void your warranty if you do.

 

[Wigwam]

Using ANY other cooling solution than the stock provided will void the warranty. Also, the speeze isnt any better than the stock cooler he has. I doubt it would drop his temps at all. There is no point in replacing the stock heatsink unless you are going to spend the money to do it right.[/quote]

re the voiding the warranty: just dont throw the stock cooler away....

i disagree about their being no benefit to replacing with the speeze falconrock2: for a start it is MUCH quieter; i have an O/C 2100 running at 2GHz - granted it is a modest overclock but my temps are 49C full load compared with 56C with the stock cooler [though i agree that for serious o/c a better hsf is needes]

 

[christgg]

I spoke with AMD tech support and im here to update my specs:

Computer
AMD 2500+ Barton (cooled by a volcano 9t)
DFI LanParty NFII Ultra
1GB Corsair VS512MB333 PC2700 RAM
Vantec Stealth 420W
Fudin ATXAL 962 WP Aluminum(2 front fans,1side,1 rear all 80mm) w/ card blower
ATI 8500 128MB AGP 8x

On to the processor(During BIOS)
At default(1100Mhz setting):
System:37C
Processor:45C
At 166Mhz Bus 11x(1833Mhz setting):
System:39C
Processor:46C

When the computer passes the BIOS(at 1833Mhz) it works for about 10-60sec and then shuts down.

What is your diagnosis of the problem and if you had $100 to cool this computer down further what would you upgrade or add(such as new processor cooler,RAM cooler, upgraded chipset cooler, more powerful 80mm fans, new chip blower, HD fan, etc.)

Also what is the best 2500+ cooler out their these days or what is the best website to review all that stuff.

This website and all you people are awesome!!!

 

[UTmtnbiker]

Just to give you another reference point, I built up a AXP 2500+ using the cheapest of cheapest HSF/fan combos out there, the SVC GC68. I've overclocked it to 3200+ using FSB only (11x200) and my full load temp is around 45 degrees. Idle is around 42 degrees.

 

[christgg]

Where do you think the problem lies then because I can get the computer to run at 200/11x but it dies after the screen prints LanParty!.

 

[NokiaDude]

Use less thermal paste. Take the HSF off, clean it and apply a new layer of AS3, etc, using HALF of what you used before. I'm running at 33C with a ThermalTake Silent Boost.

 

[jrossi]

I'm using stock fan/hs on my 2500 and as of this second, I am running at 40. Gets up to around 45 under load, but this is with three older HDDs that I think are bumping the temp up a few degrees. I haven't OC'ed since I put the third HDD in. Then, I was running around 48.

I would like to get some better airflow in there, though. Perhaps a cooling flow tube from the front mount fan directed at the CPU?