Yet another e8400 temp question

[goat]

Just looking for some input, this is frustrating.

I put a system together for my little brother(no overclocking):
CASE: Antec 300 with 5x 120mm fans(all on low setting)
MOBO: Intel DP35DPM
MEM: 4GB Crucial DDR2 PC6400
CPU: C2D e8400 with stock Intel cooler
HS compound: 1st install Artic Ceramique, 2nd install AS5
VID: Asus eah3850 512mb

On initial install I had some problems seating the Stock Intel Heatsink pins, my mistake--I tried while it was in the case. Finally got all four pins to seat.

Anyway, checked the BIOS at first boot and it showed CPU temp of 50c. Hmmm...seems high, I thought. Then checked temps with Intel Desktop Utilities which confirmed the temp reading.

Downloaded Everest, RealTemp, Core Temp and Speed Fan. All confirmed the temp being high, with RealTemp showing core temp of 41-42c.

So, I took the whole thing apart, cleaned and reinstalled using AS5 with the motherboard out this time.

Temps are 4-5c higher with AS5, WTF.

I know the stock cooler isn't great, but 50c at idle, going up to 70c when running 3dMark06.

I hate to spend $50 on an good quiet aftermarket cooler(CNSP9700). My next step is lapping the heatsink.

Any thoughts?

 

[RamIt]

Does it crash or have any stability problems at those temps or are you just worried by the arbitrary number itself?

There are plenty of coolers that will perform better in the $20 range. Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro is probably the best bang for the buck in that range.

 

[9nines]

Almost everyone states that the Real Temp is the accurate one for the E8400. Also you can calibrate it, following instructions to make even more accurate (maybe 2 to 3 Celsius.)

Here is the Real Temp programmer describing the problem with measuring E8400s and calibrating: http://www.techpowerup.com/realtemp/docs.php

You can do a web search for +E8400 +?real temp? and find many threads on how Real Temp is most valid heat measuring program for the E8400.

Your temperatures are probably right at 40/41 Celsius idle. I recently got a E8400 and researched it Monday night when I got high readings on the other monitors. Based on the posts of other using after market heat sinks, people seem to typically be getting core measurements between 30 to 35 Celsius at idle so another 5 on the stock cooler is probably about right. I have a new E8400, at stock speeds, in an Antec 900 with a Xigmatek 1283 heat sink and with Real Temp (no calibration) I am getting both cores around 28 to 31 Celsius typically at idle and around 40 to 41 with Primae95+ running.

If you do get a new heat sink, I read many reviews and many found the Xigmatek 1283 to get the similar results (sometimes better) as the Ultra-120 (the Xigmatek is lighter too) and other higher priced heat sinks. Directron has one for $33 and it has a $10 rebate now, so $23 after rebate: http://www.directron.com/hdts1283.html

If you did want to get the Xigmatek, the 1283 in my Antec 900, without the side fan, has about 1/4 to 1/2 inch to spare - I do not know how much narrower the Antec 300 is, so you probably want to check if it fits.

 

[goat]

RamIt--no stability problems, the numbers just seem high. I have read some reviews of the Freezer 7 Pro; definitely a good inexpensive HSF.

9nines--Your post here is the first I read regarding the temp issues with the e8400. The Antec website shows them as being the same width = 8.1". $23 is a good price, I will look into it.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[brandonb]

I have the exact same problem with my e8500. I lapped my cpu and lost a degree or two but thats it, but its not worth it since it voids warrenty. I have an aftermarket heatsink on its way in shipping at the moment, I'll let you know if it works any better.

 

[brandonb]

Originally posted by: brandonb
I have the exact same problem with my e8500. I lapped my cpu and lost a degree or two but thats it, but its not worth it since it voids warrenty. I have an aftermarket heatsink on its way in shipping at the moment, I'll let you know if it works any better.

I just placed the Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro on my E8500, and it only brought the temps down about 3c...

I was running
71c load
55c idle

Now I'm running
68-69c load (goes back and forth during testing)
51c idle.

I'm going to play around with thermal paste some more. This heatsink has push pins which snapped in easily, but you can sort of wiggle the heatsink on the cpu (barely) with this one, so I'm not sure if its really making a good connection. I did push on it during monitoring the temp and it didn't really change the outcome. I'm not sure if this heatsink is worth it at this point, but I'll know more after fiddling.

 

[brandonb]

Ack!!!

I think I see the problem I've been happening since I bought the computer.

Looks like one of the pushpins even though its pushed down and locked into place, is actually locking into place ABOVE the hole in the motherboard, leaving one of the 4 pins not securely connected. I bet this has been my problem for the last month even with the old heatsink. Make sure you can't fit a flat head screw driver under the plastic washer between the pushpin and the motherboard.

Edit - I fixed the pushpin and applied more thermal grease as it seemed like it didn't cover very much of the CPU and now I'm down to 62c at load.