Help: Heat Concerns With Abit KR7A-133 and AthlonXP 1900+

[Bowen]

Hi, I've got an Abit KR7A-133 mobo and a AthlonXP 1900+ (1.60 GHz) and I'm using a Thermalright SK-6 HSF with a 6000 rpm Delta fan. I'm also using Arctic Silver 1 thermal grease. Now my idle temps are between 46C - 48C (114F and 118F) and my full load temps are between 49C - 52C (120F - 126F). When I had my Iwill KA266-R mobo my idle temp was 39C - 42C. I don't understand why their is about 12 degrees difference in the two mobo's. Is the Via KT266A chipset that much hotter than the ALI MAGiK chipset or is there something wrong? The system temp seems to be around the same for both boards around 31C - 33C (87F - 91F). I know my CPU is running a little hot and I don't like it but is it in any danger? I've read the cpu temp limit at AMD and they say it will go up to 90C (194F) but is mine in any danger I wonder and is there something I can do that is passive or even by software (other than Waterfall) that can cool it? All my games and 3D apps are running fine but when there is that much of a difference from my Iwill (despite the fact that the board is crap!), I get a little concerned. I've taken the HSF off and clean it and the cpu and reapplied thermal grease....I don't know what else to do.

Does anyone else have this setup? Is this a normal temp? That's what I really want to know and if so...what else do I need...but my main concern is....is this a normal CPU temp for this board?


Thanx for the help in advance!!

 

[Mikewarrior2]

Every socket-a Motherboard read temps differently.... Different compensation techniques, location of socket-thermistors, etc cause this...

Why the large disparity? Well, socket-thermistors are highly inaccurate, and if you're getting a 12C difference from a 1/4 inch difference in socket-thermistor positioning, that hsould be proof enough that they're not accurate readings.

Your KR7A-133 is reading closer to whta the actual CPU "Die" temperatures are though. Iwill motherboards are among hte lowest reading motherboards out there and are more inaccurate in terms of "CPU" readings.



Mike

 

[athlonator]

I know my CPU is running a little hot and I don't like it but is it in any danger?

As Mikewarrior2 mentioned there is a big desparity between readings from different motherboards. However, there is no real danger to your CPU (unless your mobo temp. probe is very inaccurate), because the operating specs. for the Athlon, put critical temperature well above 80 C, somewhere around 90 C.

Data Sheet

 

[Bowen]

Thanx guys....I spoke with some other people that have had the same board that I did and the KR7A-133 and they've had the exact same experience. I also got my hands on WPCREDIT and WPCRSET programs and my idle temp went all the way up to 120F and with those programs now it is always between 96F and 98F. I love it! Of course when the CPU is under full load such as playing Jedi Knight II, it get's up to around 120F again but as soon as I leave it, it drops immediately!! The only thing you have to do is get a specific .pcr file to go with your specific chipset, the Via KT266A in my case.