Athlon XP Cooling Question! Urgent!

[Cope]

Hello all thanks for reading,
First my problem. After installing the chip and going to the bios I checked on the "health" of my computer. The chip orignally was fine idling at 27 C but I looked away and noticed it climbed to 80! I admittedly turned switched the FSB down to 100 and turned off the computer. I removed the thermapad on the heatsink(slightly melted what a pain) and through on some thermal compound and reseated the HSF. Again it started at 27C but it rose to 60 sitting idle so I decided to turn it off and ask you guys for help.
Also, the case temperature stayed at 21 or 22C in case that helps and the Mobo on post only recognized my chip as an athlon 1200. If you need any more information ask please!

Ok now to the system I am running:
XP 1900
Using the Retail HSF
Soyo k7v Dragon(and the thermal paste that came with it)
2 kingstom cl2.5 256 meb
leadtek gf3 ti200
1 IBM 60gxp 60gb
16x Pioneer DvD
Lian-li 68 Aluminum Case(with 3 case fans)

Theories I have? I incorrectly seated the HS the first time and perhaps did not clean the thermal pad off well enough?
Maybe I used too much thermal grease?(Would that cause that high temp?)

Once again, I am new to this so I could be way off base. The chip still works so atleast i know its not fried(would be a hard lesson.) Please respond as soon as you can as it is a great help to me.
Thanks in Advance,

Ryan

 

[dabhpr]

First, what kind of case ventilation do you have? You say you have 3 case fans; how are they configured? I'm hoping they are set for two to suck in at the bottom of the case and one to blow out - that would give positive pressure and sufficient ventilation.

Secondly, make sure you've put the HSF on correctly; the step on the bottom of the HSF should be over the step on the socket... incorrectly mounting the HSF would explain the hot temps... so make sure you haven't reversed the HSF. It's easy to make this mistake, don't be embarrassed.

You should have removed ALL of the thermal pad - leaving absolutely NO residue. Isopropyl Alcohol will clean it quite well. As for the thermal paste, only a small amount is needed, spread almost to the point of being see-through. See http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm for good instructions.

I believe (can't remember where I saw this) that the retail HSF is designed to keep the proc at about 60 degrees C or so. So, perhaps it is doing exactly what it is designed to do. Can't say for sure, though...

 

[bozo1]

Temps in the 50-60 range is normal for the retail HSF. While less is always better, people seem to forget that the chips are designed to work properly up to 90 degrees.

 

[Mikewarrior2]

Bozo1,

Wrong. 95C Maximum DIE temperature. How do 99% of mb's read temps? Socket-thermistor. Socket-thermistor is lower than die, and often times very significantly lower than die temp. 95C socket-thermistor is not only asking for trouble, but you can cause damage at those temps. IN addition, XP socket-thermistor is even mroe inaccurate due to the new, better PCB that has much less heat loss than before


Cope,

What did you use to clean off the original pad? That material could be acting as an "insulating" layer. Be sure to clean off all of the pad, then finish off the cleaning with some isopropyl alcohol. Then make sure your heatsink is mounted properly. Knowing that you have a k7V dragon, aim for temps roughly 20C over ambient (in line with other dragon owners, the only ones you can compare to).


Mike

 

[bozo1]

I understand that Mike. The point I was making is that temps in the 55-60 degree range isn't going to hurt anything. I've never seen a system with a faster AMD chip and the retail HSF running under 50.

 

[AlucardBelmont]

I think it won't hurt to buy a new hsf. comparing to your spec, another $50 won't be a problem.

 

[Cope]

I understand that the retail HS is not great(I was going to go basic first then upgrade the hsf as this is my first AMD build) but should it reach up to 70C idle? I am going to clean off the HSF underside as you guys mentioned below and then apply the grease very lightly but should I also clean off the grease on the chip itself? It appears to me some of the orginal thermapad almost melted on to the core and there is a little residue left. What would be the best way to clean off the chip..or do not even bother?

Thanks again.
Cope

P.S. Why do I need to sometimes hit insert for the full post to occur?

 

[Anubis]

bozo1 im running an Athalon 1700+ overclocked to 1550MHz ona EpoX 8KHA+ mobo and its running at aboytr 45 degrees C and if i go over 50 i run into problims

 

[Mikewarrior2]

Bozo1,

Then you really haven't experienced enough different MB's to make the kind of broad-based statement you made.... A low-reading mb (the dragon + athlon XP = low reading MB) reads roughly 10-15C over ambient for a normal heatsink, including the retail one. IN fact, a few days ago, there was someone with a dragon + and retail XP1600 + retail sink running at 42C, with an ambietn case temp of 29C.

Therefore, under 50C is definately possible with a retail sink. THe MB is the key ingredient. Without knowing that, all comparisons are worthless. With it, they are still tricky, but somewhat manageable.


Mike

 

[xes]

I have an xp1500+ with retail HSF on a K7S5A and I left the standard "pink goo" thermal pad on, and MB5 shows my temps as : CPU 38c , case 26c. Everything at default speeds,apart from mild GF3 overclocking.Highest temp I have seen so far is 43c......I am happy=).

 

[wilki24]

<< It appears to me some of the orginal thermapad almost melted on to the core and there is a little residue left. What would be the best way to clean off the chip..or do not even bother? >>



From the Artic Silver site:



<< Remember: Once you have applied a thermal grease or melted a thermal pad onto a heatsink, it is impossible to remove all of the grease or pad from the microscopic valleys in the heatsink using standard cleaning chemicals and paper or fabric towels. Any subsequent thermal material will be applied over the remnants of the original material. >>



That doesn't sound too promising...

 

[Creig]

No biggie. Just lap the heatsink and repolish it. That'll remove any leftovers.