Originally posted by: clkio
like the topic says, I got a E6300 & Asus P5B- deluxe, its currently running at 2.65ghz. The idle temp is 49-51 C and full load is 56-57, is that normal, or is it too high? thx guys
What program are you using to monitor temperatures? Are these core temperatures or CPU temperatures? (Unless you're getting a temp for each core you're monitoring the more generic and lower CPU temp.) I'd recommend getting Intel's Thermal Analysis Tool (TAT) to monitor coretemps.
My CPU temp is now at 29C and coretemps at 46C and 42C at idle (E6600 at 400FSB). If you're quoting coretemps, I think you're in okay shape. But if you're quoting CPU temps you're way hot (your updated temps are better but still on the hot side). I am making the assumption that you are quoting the CPU temp with my suggestions.
The CPU temp is a combination of these things (in no particular order)
1 - How well you apply the TIM (paste)
2 - How good your TIM is (AS5 is about the best except for liquid metal)
3 - How good a HSF you have
4 - How flat and clean your HSF contact area is
5 - How flat and clean you CPU contact area is
6 - How good your case cooling is / ambient temperature
7 - Properly installed HSF - some of them are tricky to lock down
The amount of paste you need varies with the flatness and contact between you HSF and CPU. When you apply, make sure that you give a little back and forth twist to grind the stuff into the crevices and get good spread. I suggest that people fully install the HSF, even run the computer for a while, and then plan to disassemble and inspect the spread. This is the only way to determine if you've used close to the proper amount. If it looks good, clean up and reapply the same amount, otherwise adjust accordingly. Every time you remove the HSF you need to clean up and reapply - otherwise you get air bubbles - not a good thing.
If I were you and convninced that my paste was applied well, and HSF installed properly then I would consider lapping my HSF. Lapping the CPU voids the warranty and I'd do as the last resort. Lapping your HSF could have a sizeable positive impact on temps. Remember that after lapping the amount of paste you use should be considerably lower.
Good luck.