Intel P4 CPU Temps

[fusionhost]

Hi guys,

As you can see new here (first post) so go easy on me.

I have been investigating the situations and reports on intel p4s northwood and prescotts and their opperating temps.... and getting a little confused.

SO far i have worked out that prescotts are known for getting stupidly hot... which ok isnt a good thing at all really, but some cases doesnt cause an issue.

I presently have a 3.0C p4 which i am guessing the letter C means its a northwood and if it was an E then it would be a prescott - am i correct in thinking that?

But the issue I have,thinkign i have a northwood, is that my standard idle reported temp is about 50C and at full load about 60C - is this normal for a northwood with the standard boxed heatsink and fan on?
Using an MSI 865PE Neo2 Board, which i have heard some really good things about and some really bad things as well...

So i am really confused what to believe.... there seems to be some knowledgable guys on here so would really appreicated some advice on this situation! Thanks in advance,

Fusion

 

[Mullzy]

You're right on C (Northwood) vs E (Prescott). I believe the whole "Prescotts are hotter than h3ll!" thing is a little exagerated and in fact people haven't been having as much trouble with them as the original hype would have you believe.

As for temperatures, that really boils down to your board in most cases. My Abit IC7 is known for reporting high (my 2.8 @ 3.29 idles @ 45, load 65) but I have no experience with your MSI. 50C seems a little high... I'd blow out that heatsink with some compressed air and maybe increase your cases's airflow if possible.

Or maybe that board is just reporting high... maybe someone here can let you know.

 

[fusionhost]

thanks for the reply.

Well its good to know that some people using northwoods are experiencing similar temps. As far as the heatsink goes, its only 4 days old so its not built up with rubbish just yet. I am going to get some artic silved compound to see if that helps bring it down a little more.

As for case air flow, i have a full tower case with 4 system fans running in, and also the side panels off at the moment with a pretty cool room so might not be the best reading to give but i cant see the airflow being a problem.

I am beginning to think it might be the main board, i am not too sure. I know a few people that have that board but they cant really give me any decent answers cos they have all done this that and the other to theirs which i havent done just yet.

I expected the avg temp to be above 30 but not above 40 really, espically not approaching 50 at idle!! I dont see any performance issues so maybe its nothing to worry about but.. still its quite high!!

 

[Mullzy]

You mention having "4 case fans blowing in" -- if this really is the case you should change that around to 2 in and 2 out. I imagine the back fans are actually blowing out but you might want to double check that. As a rule, having the same number of fans (or more) blowing out of a case than in produces a better effect than the other way around.

 

[Appledrop]

my 2.26b runs at 50 idle, 66 full

 

[fusionhost]

Originally posted by: Mullzy
You mention having "4 case fans blowing in" -- if this really is the case you should change that around to 2 in and 2 out. I imagine the back fans are actually blowing out but you might want to double check that. As a rule, having the same number of fans (or more) blowing out of a case than in produces a better effect than the other way around.

I didnt technically mean 'blowing in' as in blowing air, sorry. But thats a fair point, i automatically put the label facing the case, so if its at the back of the tower the label on the fan is against the walls of the case, the same for all 4. So maybe its worth having the front 2 pulling air in and the back to the opposite pushing it out...

But to be honest, i cant see that making that much of a difference when i have the side panels off like i do right now.... i am having no luck sorting this ickle problem and its really getting to me as i just cant work it out.

 

[JohnAn2112]

I just cleaned out my case and blew dust out with compressed air. My 2.8E now idles at 42C and loads around 60C.

 

[fusionhost]

well at least its not me then... thats about that same as me which is good to know.. but urs is an E prescott would expect that... mines a northwood and i would expect it too be a lot cooler... thats my point.. i am soo confused

 

[o1die]

Motherboards report a wide range of temps. My 2.8c runs at 48-68 celcius. I also recommend a single fan power supply with 12 or 14 cm on the side, next to the cpu. I picked up a sparkle 300w with this fan, and my cpu temps dropped at least 5 degrees celcius. Dual fan models are too noisy. I hate noise.