Athlon XP 1600+ :What temp is OK???

[JonathanMcInnis]

I have built a new system with the following:

Antec SX840 case
Soyo Dragon +
Athlon XP1600+
2X 256MB Crucial PC2100 DDR RAM
80GB Seagate Barracuda IV HD
Gainward Twinview VIVO GeForce2
etc etc

Alpha 8045 Heatsink with an Enermax adjustable 80cm fan (now at mid ~2000rpm)
two Enermax adjustable (80cm) case fans - in at bottom front, out at back rear
Quiet is very important - I may go for some Papst or Panaflo fans if necessary - Zalman Northbridge Heatsink and Video Cooler on the way.


Questions:
What CPU temp is reasonable? I was getting 34-35C with the case open (27C case temp, ~72F room). Now that I have closed the case, my CPU is hovering at 44-45C - case temp still at 27C.

I also question my installation of the Alpha heatsink, as I was very afraid to tighten it down to refusal.

Also, I only used the thermal compound (white) that came with my mobo, Artic Silver II on the way to remedy that - will this alone help out significantly?

Basically, is 44-45C OK for the Athlon XP? If you guys say it is, I can get on with my life.... Thanks for any help.

 

[Mikewarrior2]

44 to 45 is fine... it looks you may want to add a bit of case cooling if you want to drop the temp further.



Mike

 

[SWScorch]

anything under 60 is acceptable, under 50 is good, under 40 is excellent, as a rule of thumb.

 

[Jen]

34c at idle on this 1800 + xp...........still got to see how high it goes at full load


Jen

 

[subman]

I get 45C idling with my 1600+ XP using a SK6 and a TT 31cfm fan. The room temperature here in Bombay India is 30C.

I have a mid tower cabinet with 1x120 1x93 and 2x80 fans.

 

[fatBrain]

My xp1500 @1.4GHz with full load at ~40 C, idle around 35 C. system stable @ 147Mhz FSB. used cheap Coolermaster 6I31C, which cost $7 @ newegg. Room temp around 70F, case temp 28C. Not bad at all.

 

[ku]

I have a 1.4 birdy (same clock as xp1600, and also runs hotter) and I have an sk6 + delta doing 42 full load/39 idle with a case temp of 34. This case has TERRIBLE airflow, I 'll order my antec sx10xx this week.