hot cpu!?!

[PowerYoga]

I have an athlon 1.2 ghz on an epox 8k7a... the idle temperature, last time i checked, runs at 52(!) degrees! I'm using the default fan that came with the athlon. Is that bad? i'm not even overclocking yet!

 

[MoFunk]

What kind of case cooling do you have? What is your ambient temp? Are you using the thermal pad or ASII?

I would also suggest that you go away from the stock HSF and get a nicer one.

 

[PowerYoga]

i have the crappy pink padding that came with the stock cooling, ambient case temp is around 37, +- 5 depends on how high i turn the heat on its cold here in minnesota

i think i have a 90mm strapped in the front of the case that drags in air, but i'm not exactly sure about the size. It came with the case...

 

[MoFunk]

My first suggestion would be to get an exhaust fan in there as well. Somewhere in the back near the top. This will hopefully drag air from the front of your case past the heatsink and out the back. I would also say to try to get ahold of some ASII and clean off that pad. Use a very thin layer of ASII. You still may want to consider buying a better heatsink with a copper core at the least. If you dont plan on overclocking then just a little extra cooling will help and you'll be fine. If you DO plan on overclocking your going to have to invest in a better HSF and much better cooling.

 

[PowerYoga]

thanks! i'll try the exhaust fan to see if that clears up the temperature.... i'll do AS2 if that doesn't do the trick I think its mostly bad airflow in my system though.

 

[MoFunk]

I would agree with the airflow! I have a 92mm intake in the front bottom of my case, and 92mm exhaust at the top and an 80mm exhaust in the back by my HSF. They are all enermax adjustable fans that I keep on low. I get pretty good temps that way. But just to see I put them all on high one day and just doing that dropped my CPU temp 5c. So make sure you have good system cooling.