Safe to turn off fan on Athlon64?

[mazeroth]

I have an Antec P180 case with a 120mm at the front and one at the top exhausting out. I have them both set to low. With my CPU fan set to 2800 rpm my Athlon64 3500+ (running at 2.5ghz from 2.2ghz) runs at a cool 27-29ºC just browsing the net etc. It makes a decent amount of sound, even at lower RPMs, so I decided to turn the fan off and see how hot it gets. I let the HDR demo run (100% CPU utilization) so that and my video card would get hot to see how hot the CPU would get. Under full load, for 15 minutes, my CPU hit 53ºC. Is this within the acceptable limits?

Thanks.

 

[imported_Imp]

....... Deep down, you know the answer: No.

In 15 minutes, temp went up ~24C. I doubt you use programs in 15 minute sessions so in one hour, temp = ~101C. (Obviously won't be linear). My 3200+ after hours at 100% gets to maybe 35C...

 

[The Boston Dangler]

yes, but i wouldn't do it.

 

[Seekermeister]

I third that.

 

[Ayah]

You should stick a Scythe Ninja on it and go passive. The P180s case fans will provide adequate airflow for it. But not the stock heatsink.

 

[coolpurplefan]

Originally posted by: Ayah
You should stick a Scythe Ninja on it and go passive. The P180s case fans will provide adequate airflow for it. But not the stock heatsink.

Yeah, that heatsink had the highest rating when I looked at silentpcreview.com
But, it's more expensive than most models. I didn't like that so I got a Zalman 7000 alcu-led and kind of regret it a little because I think my computer would be much quieter with a passive heatsink. I have a Coolermaster Centurion 5 case, so it's easy for me to hear the noise from the fans although I can't really complain because they're not really that loud.

 

[Seekermeister]

I have become so accustomed to the sound of the fans, that I don't even notice them. In a fashion, that provides me with a built-in alert system, because I would notice if the fan(s) quit. Learn to love the sound.

 

[cryptonomicon]

Originally posted by: Imp
....... Deep down, you know the answer: No.

In 15 minutes, temp went up ~24C. I doubt you use programs in 15 minute sessions so in one hour, temp = ~101C. (Obviously won't be linear). My 3200+ after hours at 100% gets to maybe 35C...

What are you trying to say here?
It wouldn't take an hour for temperatures measured on a CPU heatsink to stabilize. i would say 5-10 minutes. most cases are aluminum, and the heatsink isn't a solid chunk of metal, it has a very large surface area and can change temperature quickly. the CPU sink would never measure "101C" in this situation.

I had my computer overclocked 800 mhz and overvolted about .3v, and was testing UT2004 for around 20 minutes and the CPU fan was not even on. It hit 75C? CPU's don't hit 100C unless you take the heatsink off.

for the op:
Athlon64's (and every AMD chip i know of at least) will operate fine under 60C.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: coolpurplefan
Yeah, that heatsink had the highest rating when I looked at silentpcreview.com
But, it's more expensive than most models. I didn't like that so I got a Zalman 7000 alcu-led and kind of regret it a little because I think my computer would be much quieter with a passive heatsink. I have a Coolermaster Centurion 5 case, so it's easy for me to hear the noise from the fans although I can't really complain because they're not really that loud.

Are you using the Fanmate to slow down the Zalman's fan?

I'm using a 7000-alcu on an X2 3800+ and I keep the fan down to the point where it's silent with the (Antec NSK4400) case closed from a couple of feet away. CPU temp stayed under 40C even in summer.

 

[pkme2]

IMHO, While checking the results of adding and turning off case fans, I've learned the following:
1. Intake front fan shutdown resulted in 10F/15F rise.
2. Adding a side intake and top exhaust fans improved case temp from 10F/15F too.
3. Adding a slot fan for GPU improved temp around 10F.
4. Exhaust Rear fan shutdown resulted in 10F/15F rise.

My overall temp inmprovement was 3C/4C as verified with IR sensor probe. In the long run, case temp could improve more.

It also helps if one has a good case with above average air cooling design properties.
1. Must have front intake fan, preferably in front of HDDs.
2. Rear exhaust fan.
3. Side Intake fan.
4. Top Exhaust fan.

A generic HSF for AMD CPU is OK, but in case of Intel CPU, step-up to AF Pro is recommended.
The end result is a cool running computer. Isn't this what we all want?

 

[APE992]

Originally posted by: Seekermeister
I have become so accustomed to the sound of the fans, that I don't even notice them. In a fashion, that provides me with a built-in alert system, because I would notice if the fan(s) quit. Learn to love the sound.

I freak out at any difference in sound from my computer. Lately it sounds like one has been speeding up slightly and slowing down but I've no proof of this. Hopefully something isn't dying or else I'm going to be very pissed. If you're really anal about fans get water cooling and run the tubes through the wall into another room, or outside a window.

 

[imported_Imp]

Originally posted by: cryptonomicon

Originally posted by: Imp
....... Deep down, you know the answer: No.

In 15 minutes, temp went up ~24C. I doubt you use programs in 15 minute sessions so in one hour, temp = ~101C. (Obviously won't be linear). My 3200+ after hours at 100% gets to maybe 35C...

What are you trying to say here?
It wouldn't take an hour for temperatures measured on a CPU heatsink to stabilize. i would say 5-10 minutes. most cases are aluminum, and the heatsink isn't a solid chunk of metal, it has a very large surface area and can change temperature quickly. the CPU sink would never measure "101C" in this situation.

I had my computer overclocked 800 mhz and overvolted about .3v, and was testing UT2004 for around 20 minutes and the CPU fan was not even on. It hit 75C? CPU's don't hit 100C unless you take the heatsink off.

for the op:
Athlon64's (and every AMD chip i know of at least) will operate fine under 60C.

Well obviously:roll:. Note the "not linear" statement, if you went literal, you'd say we'd have a new sun within the year (yea, dig out the calculator for this too). I'm not digging out a thermal dynamics textbook. Regardless, it will get hot very over time risking damage. As the air heats up, heat sink stops woring as well. Only thing stopping that is the built in undervolt/safety feature. If you truly believe it stabilized at a perfect 75C, feel free to run it without a fan for more than 20 minutes.

 

[Bill Kunert]

Originally posted by: mazeroth
Under full load, for 15 minutes, my CPU hit 53ºC. Is this within the acceptable limits?

Thanks.

My 3500+ has a max case temp rating of 52C. I run my fans at 50% till the temp reaches 45C and the to 100%. I'm running at 2.5GHz and the fans will kick up to high speed during gaming. I wouldn't want my cpu running over 50C.