Is this temp normal

[jswillms]

Running a non-overclocked Athalon 900 200MHz FSB with the factory fan. Antec case with 2 fans, one pushing and one pulling. MBM shows 16/28/54. CPU has always run around 50, but seems to be slowliy climbing. Today it is 54. (Ambient temps are a bit higher, I guess). When it gets hot here in Texas, ambient in house will be another 6-8 degrees. Worried that I will see 60 or more.

This seems a bit hot to me. Looking for advise/alternatives. What is normal for this chip. Should I reseat the fan, maybe with some other thermal compound? I used the white stuff from RS. Maybe a new CPU fan? Is the case temp fan setup adequate?

My brothers 900 duron, with factory fan runs in low 40's... Wouldn't think the cache would make it that much hotter.

 

[SWScorch]

those temps are a tad high for my tastes but not uncommon. Usually I recommend panicking around 60-65 C. Anything under that threshold is probably fine.

How much thermal goop did you apply? Ideally, you want just a very thin layer; just enough so that when you attach the heatsink some of the goop swuiches out. Too much or too little goop will hinder thermal transfer. I'd tray reapplying the goop, then while doing that you have also reseated the heatsink, killing two birds with one stone.

I'd also recommend another case fan or two. If your case is a Performance (SX) series, you should be able to install two more fans. Alos, if that still doesnt work, then a new heatsink may be in need. The SVC GC-68 seems to be a very good choice for decent cooling and low noise. Or, if you're willing to shell out a few more bucks, ThermalRight's AX-7 works wonders, and you have your choice of fan; a nice quiet low-airflow fan or a high speed heat killer.

 

[jhites]

That's some pretty big jumps from ambiant. My system with XP1800+ running on 144Mhz bus only has a 13-15C jump from ambiant to processor when idle and adds another 4-5C under full load.

For you to compare: 16/28/54 vs. 23/26/36 I am in texas also and the temp in the house right now is 76 and outside is 85F

It would appear from the comparison that your heatsink/fan is just not getting the job done. I am using an Alpha with artic silver compound which I am sure is the difference. When I changed from the stock heatsink/fan on my XP1800 to the Alpha it lowered my temps almost 10C.

You don't have to shell out for an Alpha. I just personally prefer them and have had very good results on all my overclocked systems. The one's that SWScorch suggested are very good. I would recommend that you get some artic silver compound instead of the white goop from the factory.