Is My CPU & Chassis AT Acceptable Temps?

[joshInAlaska]

I've got a AMD T-Bird 1.4GHz 266FSB, installed in a MSI K7T266 Pro. The HSF is made by KWI, and it is specific towards AMD processors. I've not put any silicone thermal grease onto the processor because there was already thermal tape on the bottom of the HSF. The case is a OEM product; it's a tall tower configuration, and made out of aluminum. The top drive bay has an intake fan that sucks air in and blows it downward into the rest of the chassis. There is also a side fan that sucks air out from the vicinity of the CPU.

I'm currently at 50 degrees celcius, and my chassis temp is at 42 degrees celcius. Fan speed over the CPU is approximately 5,232 RPM. Even when I put the computer under heavy use for a few hours, I've temp fluctuations hasn't gone up more than a couple of degrees. I was wondering if this is acceptable temperatures?

 

[theflyingdutchman]

These are very acceptable temps. but adding thermal grease (artic silver) and losing the crappy tape will decrease you temps about 4-8 degrees

Regards.... TFD

 

[andalas]

50C is okay
but 42C for a case temp, that's really high.

Currently running 1.4@1.5 (10x150)
Full load 42C idle 38C
case temp 26C

 

[jchu14]

I agree with the posts above me. Unless you live in a really really hot place, 42 degree C is way too high for case temp. 50C for CPU is really good for such a high case temp. You can lower that 50 probably by about 5-7 C if you have good case ventilation. But I wouldn't bother if your system is stable and you can live with the high temp.

 

[joshInAlaska]

Thanks for replying guys.

A bit of background on the store owner that I purchased my components from. He's an incredibly knowledgable person, who has several certifications under his belt. I've even took a networking course with him and his son a couple of years ago, so I knew him from back then. Since he has purchased his computer components store, he's solidified himself as a reliable source that's running a respected local business. I've asked the store owner about the difference between thermal grease and the thermal tape. His response was that the thermal tape on the bottom of the HSF was more than adequate. He's done performance checks with both himself, and he's proven that it's best to go with the tape.

Now that I know that the chassis may be a bit hot, I think that I may get a second fan to suck the air out from the back. Would this be something that you guys would do?

 

[joshInAlaska]

anyone care to answer my previous post?