CPU temperature reported too high by my motherboard?

[Krk3561]

I just built my system with an Abit Fatal1ty AN8 and went into the bios where the temperature is being reported as 53° C. I'm using a CNPS7700 with Arctic Silver 5 so this seems way too high. Is there anything I could be doing wrong, like could the heatsink not be screwed down tight enough? I'm afraid of screwing it anymore for fear it might damage the CPU.

 

[superkdogg]

I don't know for your board, but most people feel that mine (AV8) reports 10-15 C too high. Since it's likely that the same hardware is using similar or same bios to do the reporting, I wouldn't be surprised. There's always the two very unscientific tests: after a period of having the computer turned off, start it and check bios temps right away. If you're already in the high forties to low fifties after the 7-8 seconds it takes the temps are probably high to start with. Or touching the HS. If it's cool and you're certain that you installed it well and it has good contact with the CPU, then you have an idea that the temps are being exaggerated.

 

[Krk3561]

Yea, the temp was 53° C as soon as I turned it on for the first time