CMOS/Bios advice

[imported_phenom]

Hi

I am new to this game and require some help please. Can someone please tell me what temp my cpu should be running at. I have an Athlon XP 2800+ running at 74C and a system temp of 44C on a GA-7N400 mobo. Is this temp normal? It seems pretty high, so I thought I better just make sure. Also, while I was looking at my CMOS/BIOS settings I noticed a few things that I am hoping someone will explain to me, cause I don't have a clue what they are.

Vcore
DDR25V
+3.3v
+5v
+12v
FSB Frequency [166]
AGP Frequency [Normal]
There is a whole lot of other stuff but life is short. If I have missed anything important out, I would appreciate it if someone would tell me?

Thanks this is a great site btw.

 

[imported_phenom]

BUMP

 

[LTC8K6]

74C is way too high, but it could be an inaccurate reading.

Vcore is the voltage supplied to the core of your Athlon chip.

DDR25V - I am not sure but it sounds like it is related to the voltage supplied to your DDR
(Double Data Rate) memory.

+3.3V, +5V, and +12V are the three voltage lines or "rails" supplying your motherboard, cards, and drives. You don't want these to be too far off.

FSB frequency is the Front Side Bus frequency of your Athlon chip, which in your case trasnmits data twice per clock cycle (Double Data Rate memory) giving you the equivalent of a 333mhz front side bus. This is basically the speed at which data goes in and out of your Athlon chip. You might change this to "overclock" your Athlon.

AGP frequency is the frequency of your graphics card port or AGP port (Accelerated Graphics Port). Normally this is 66mhz.

 

[Cheetah8799]

phenom, did you install the cpu heatsink with some thermal compound (white or silver paste stuff) under it? Like LTC8K6 said, 74C is way too high, even in a system with poor airflow.

 

[imported_phenom]

um i don't know, cause i didn't build the pc. Do you think i need to check? someone told me to buy a coolermaster something... Will that help?

 

[LTC8K6]

System temp is way high too, come to think of it. Impossibly high, I believe. 44C is what, 111F? That's a heck of a hot case you got there.

I suspect inaccurate readings.

Feel your heatsink while you have the 78C reading. It ought to be too hot to touch if the reading is correct, so be careful. It should just be warm. If it's either cold, or too hot to touch, then you have a problem.

You can also leave the case off and see what readings you get. In fact, that's the first thing I would do. Take the side of the case off and see what readings you get.

 

[imported_phenom]

Thanks, I took the reading with the case off, and it is now at 69 C(this after watching a dvd for 2 hours). But that is still too high. How can I make sure that the readings are accurate? Or do i need to find a temp guage somewhere. Just so you know, I have had this case for nearly 8 months, so I've been running at these temps probably for that long, cant be too good....?

 

[imported_phenom]

bump

 

[LTC8K6]

What are you monitoring the temps with? Most mobos have a utility with them to monitor temps, or you can download motherboard monitor and try that.

I don't know what BIOS version you have, but there was something about temps with the F2 BIOS version.

I would check to make sure your heatsink is installed properly and that it is not full of dust.

If all else fails, I would remove the heatsink and reinstall it with some fresh Arctic Silver.

 

[LTC8K6]

THis was one of the FAQ's regarding your board at Gigabyte. Not sure if this is what you are seeing, but it ties in with the possible inaccuracy idea. I would still make the checks regarding your HSF though.

15C temp rise?

 

[quentinterintino]

I think failure temps for that CPU is on the order of 80-85 degrees C. Noting that, I'd stop using your computer if you're getting temperatures close to that range.

Second, what method are you using to check the temp - I"m hoping it's in the BIOS hardware monitoring section. The athlon ( I believe) has an embedded thermocouple in the die of the chip, so the temp reading in the BIOS should be pretty accurate.

Also, make sure you fan on top of the heat sink is rotating .....