Q9550 stock temperatures -- reseat heatsink/fan?

[azenker]

I know there are other threads in the forum dealing with similar questions. However, after reading them all I am still not entirely sure what path to take. My signature lists the specs of my build. I have been running Prime95 and RealTemp to get a sense of how my cpu is doing at stock before I move into my first OC.

Stock 333 X 8.5 2.83ghz
At idle (core 0 thru 3 shown with temp range)
(37-42) (34-34) (27-28) (35-35)

At load (Prime95 small fft 15 min run)
(57-59) (49-50) (49-51) (53-54)

I have run a mild OC to test the waters and have these temps:

OC 355 X 8.5 3.02ghz
At idle (core 0 thru 3 shown with temp range)
(39-41) (34-34) (28-29) (35-35)

At load (Prime95 small fft 15 min run)
(60-64) (51-51) (52-53) (54-56)

I have seen that core 0 seems to run a bit hotter and some have commented on 60C not being so bad, but at these speeds it seems a bit high to me. also, from what I have seen others post as to their temps, I seem to be about 5-10 above what they are seeing.

So, questions:
I have seen some recommend re-seating the heatsink. I used Zalman provided thermal paste applied according to their instructions (not a drop or two but they have you "paint" it on the cpu and HS surface with provided brush.) Is this something I should consider trying with these temps, should I, in your opinion, be seeing better temps with the Zalman cooler?

If you recommend the re-install of the HS/Fan, any links to good posts on doing it well?

The extra case fan I ordered for the front of the case to draw in came DOA from newegg. replacement is on the way. How much difference would case airflow make to core temps. I have the Zalman and the rear case fan adjustable. Cranking them all the way seems to have no large impact on the temps I am showing, and would certainly not be worth the noise? Should I expect the front case fan to matter for the cpu? (I was getting mostly to make sure the silent graphics card had good airflow) (BTW the gpu runs about 42C on stock settings, 44-46C with the 3.0 OC)

And finally one last one: the gigabyte board has a "SpeedStep" technology which throttles back the cpu multiplier (to 6.0) when not under load. I disabled this feature in the BIOS but still see the multiplier drop down when the cpu is in idle. Any tips on really turning this off so I can have a more consistent benchmark? Or should I not bother?

Thanks for reading and for any help you can provide.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Zalman is a second tier product. They just don't seem to do the job anymore but having said that you should be able to get a modest overclock using one.

As far as airflow affecting core temps. I dropped my core temps by 7c just by fan placement. You want more air coming in than going out. I even placed some cardboard to direct airflow in my case.

Google overclocking Ga-ep45-ud3p and you'll find some suggestions as to what to disable in the bios. I have the same mobo and love it.

There is a good article on benchmarkreviews.com on applying thermal paste. I don't know how to do links so you'll just have to look it up.

 

[azenker]

thanks for the info. I will track down the link on thermal paste
I have new case fans on order I will install first and see what happens to my core temps before I decide about reseating.

 

[azenker]

so the open question is still: are these temps as high as I think they are for these settings? What are some common sense numbers I should have as guidelines?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Those temps are a little high for my liking. My Q9400 running at 3.75ghz 1.31v idles 29,29,27,29. High temps low 60's for prime95 24hrs, mid 60's intel burn test. I also have a better heatsink, case, etc... You have a smaller case with less airflow than I do and I'm sure it affects the temps. I'm not saying you should expect to get my temps but I am saying that your temps seem a little high. The maximum temp for a core2 is 71.5c. Just keep working at it. Use fan placement, better thermal paste, more fans, maybe some high speed fans.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Ambient temps??? :roll:

 

[azenker]

Yeah, I agree. thanks for the input. I would like to see at least somewhere in-between what you are seeing and my numbers.

like the arrticle of benchmarkreviews, thanks for the ref

 

[alkalinetaupehat]

Arctic Silver's instructions

These have worked well for me, I would be curious as to your ambient temps and what voltage you're applying to the processor as well.

My temps with 1.13V vCore are 39-37*C idle with the Proc in my sig. This is with the listed Noctua cooler with two Noctua fans at 1300RPM. P182 case uses the rear fan and a front fan to create some positive pressure (more air in than out) and case has fan filters with regular dusting.

Make sure to dust out your case and also try removing the side panel and run the case with a small box fan (12" square or so) and run the fan at its highest setting. If this does not cause a significant (4*C or more) change in temp the problem is not related to airflow restrictions and could be the heatsink contact or overly high voltages.

SpeedStep should not affect benchmarking, as it kicks in during idle states.

 

[elconejito]

Definitely need to know what your ambient temps are. i assume your voltages are set on auto?

Those temps are pretty warm, IMO. I have a Zalman 9700 on mine at the moment and it doesn't seem to be cutting it. Using AS5 my temps are a few degrees below yours but at a much higher clock. If your ambient is reasonable, then it has to either be a bad seating, or their provided thermal paste is really no that good.

I have a thread over here http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=37&threadid=2307670 if you are interested. I have a Megahalems sitting next to my desk which I'm hoping will bring the temps down further.

 

[Binky]

Your temps are fine. End of story.

 

[azenker]

Thanks for all the comments.

Ambient temps are 70F +/-

When I get home later I can update as to the voltages. I did not set them myself, but the BIOS ramped up the ram settings when I increased to 355X8.5 so it may have increased the voltage as well, I did not mark it.

The concept of postive pressure is a new one to me and I could see how I would be lacking as all of my current fans are pushing out the back, none are pulling in the front until I get my new fan from Newegg.

 

[dust]

Set the volts manually before anything else. Start at stock and go up step by step as per the OC guide available at the top of the list for the category. The mb overvolts quite a bit and therein lies your answer for high temps. As for the temp difference shown by the cores, that's normal, one of them is running windows on top of the torture test.

 

[azenker]

Thanks for the volts tip. I was going to start a seperate thread on how useful the BIOS automatic "help" was for OC, I guess that answers that ;-)

 

[Blurry]

Having the same heatsink as you do, I am pretty confident that Zalman isn't good for cooling. In fact, it's not even as quiet as it's advertised to be!
With ambient temps of around 20c, my CPU temps always hover around 40c idle.

Get something better - I got a Thermalright and immediately the temps dropped by 11c.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: azenker
What are some common sense numbers I should have as guidelines?

Body temperature is around 37ºC

 

[betasub]

Not sure why ambient was given in F when OP temps for the CPU were (surely) in C.

If that ambient equates to about 22C, then temps really do look fine - a mis-seated HSF would result in far higher load temps.

 

[dguy6789]

Originally posted by: Binky
Your temps are fine. End of story.

/thread

 

[azenker]

thanks for all the input. I will follow up on some of the suggestions. I would like to see what working to improve the air movement might do for me. as betasub indicated HS problems would be much worse, as I have seen on other threads.

 

[alevasseur14]

I'm also running a Q9550 at stock speeds and your temps are actually a little better than mine by a couple degrees. I have an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro and it's not the best cooler in the world either. I'm also running a HD4870 in a P180 chassis. I've got another TriCool fan on the way from NewEgg so I'll try to remember to post back once I get the fan installed in the upper chamber. Like you, there's currently no fan pulling air in so we'll see if that helps a bit!

 

[azenker]

Originally posted by: alevasseur14
I'm also running a Q9550 at stock speeds and your temps are actually a little better than mine by a couple degrees. I have an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro and it's not the best cooler in the world either. I'm also running a HD4870 in a P180 chassis. I've got another TriCool fan on the way from NewEgg so I'll try to remember to post back once I get the fan installed in the upper chamber. Like you, there's currently no fan pulling air in so we'll see if that helps a bit!

Nice! I appreciate the follow-up. I will post any results I get from my new fan as well.

 

[zagood]

Originally posted by: azenker
And finally one last one: the gigabyte board has a "SpeedStep" technology which throttles back the cpu multiplier (to 6.0) when not under load. I disabled this feature in the BIOS but still see the multiplier drop down when the cpu is in idle. Any tips on really turning this off so I can have a more consistent benchmark? Or should I not bother?

I don't think anyone's answered this yet - you need to disable C1E and EIST in bios. Look for the sticky.