Question about A64 Skt 754 temps and cooling

[Spike]

I recently assembled a A64 skt754 3400+ system for a friend of mine. This was the first A64 system I have put together (My barton 3200+ is still going strong) so bear with me. We just got the cheap combo from bzboyz listed here.

The system seems to be running stable but the temps are way outta control. His mobo was reporting temps of ~58 - 60 idle. He opened the side of his crappy case and the idle temps dropped to 54 but that is still too high. When he plays games he gets to 65 or higher. The HSF being used is the stock cooler master that came with the combo and we did not use any different thermal paste. The HSF came with thermal paste on the bottom as opposed to a thermal pad so I figured this would be fine. He was in a hurry so the 1-2 degree's saved by putting on AS 5 was deemed unneccesary.

My questions are these: How accurate are gigabyte motherboards known to be with there temp sensors? If those temps are accurate, how do you see a way to improve them? I am fairly certain I put the HSF on correcty but this was my first A64 setup so I have never used that black hsf bracket before. It feels snug so I don't think it is do to an incorrect fit.

As I have had him spend alot of money all-ready (he bought the combo, Antec SP 350, win xp pro, and a new cooler for his 9600 pro) so I would like to stick with what we have. I plan to help him mod his case to install a 120mm intake, probably a Yate Loon or one of my extra antec tri-cool fans so that should help that air flow problem. Anyone have any ideas what could be up? Something I missed? Thanks!

-spike

 

[cirrhosis]

My socket 754 has been running steady for a year without issues...45 on idle and mid-high 50's on load. If it's stable, then I wouldn't worry about it. These temps were according to the EPoX mobo I use. I have no experience with AMD Gigabyte boards.

 

[Spike]

I figured that it was not a huge deal as long as it is stable (I am going to have him run prime95) but he still worrys about numbers. If I still can't convince him but it does come out stable I will probably help him pick out a new cooler, but I would really like to avoid that.

-spike

 

[Bodhaguru]

I don't know how much effect a BIOS update has on this.But it sure did make a difference on my dfi lanparty mobo.

 

[Spike]

hmm, another good idea. I will make sure I update his bios the next time I am over there. I remember that new drivers helped out the temp readings on my 6800GT so why not for a mobo. Thanks!

-spike

 

[smthmlk]

a bit toasty you say? works for quiznos

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: smthmlk
a bit toasty you say? works for quiznos

LOL!! Might be a bummed fan, or mehbeh u need a 3rd party HS/f to cool it off to a comfortable temperature.

 

[imported_i2k]

Mine idles around 35..you still using the stock hsf?

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: i2k
Mine idles around 35..you still using the stock hsf?

I have no idea if it is the usual "stock" fan or not but it is a coolermaster that looks like the stock fan. What I mean is that the cpu did not come in a retail box with the combo but a seperate, boxed cooler master did come with it. I have not talked to him in a few days to see how his temps are but I will be heading over there tomorrow night.

What I will probably do is rig one of my many extra 120mm fans up blowing some air into his case (he currently only has a 80mm exhaust fan). If that does not help a ton I will give him my old case which is not the greatest but is better than his current setup.

-spike

PS I am also thinking about remounting the cooler master and using AS 5 this time. Is is true that you are supposed to just put a blob in the middle of the head spreader and let the HSF do the spreading when you install it? Such a departure from my Barton core that I carfully cover with a tiny layer using a razor...