Athlon XP 2000 Cooling

[xenzoso]

Just recently got myself an Athlon XP 2000 but using PC Health thru the Abit Mobo BIOS i'm getting 53 deg when i'm not stressing the processor and when I give it full load with say Return to Castle Wolfenstein it is hitting at least 60 deg as I set the Mobo alarm to go off at this heat.

Is what i'm experiencing normal or is this going to cut the Processors life short running as hot as that? Does anyone have any ideas on what would help bar removing the side of the case and altering the CPU fan?

I've heard of how you can damage the processor by trying to remove the fan from the CPU and I can't afford to replace it. I'm going to get an 8cm case fan as soon as possible to help with the cooling of the CPU but how much of a difference it will make I aint sure...

Also with these case fans can you choose whether or not the fan sucks air in or blows it out and if so which is best for cooling the system?

Any thoughts or suggestions on any or all of this would be appreciated!

 

[NesuD]

that isn't all that uncommon a temp for that processor. I use that cpu with the retail fan and heatsink and my idle is around 46c as reported by my motherboard which doesn't really mean much using a socket thermistor for the temp reading. That is with a reported system temp of 24c. I am using a large case though(Antec sx 1040) with 4 case fans 2 front intake fans and 2 rear exhaust plus the power supply exhaust fan. From your post it sounds as if you don't have any case fans in addition to the power supply fan. I would say to install a front intake fan (most cases have a place for one in the bottom front of the case) the fan should be pulling air into the case. Also install a rear exhaust fan (most newer cases also have a place for at least one in the rear usually below the power supply). This should help reduce the internal case temperature which will help your existing fan and heatsink to become more efficient. Good luck!