Temps prior to overclocking high?

[jallsey]

Was going to have my first stab at overclocking at the weekend having just put together a new system but I am worried that my temps are a little higher than they should be already.

Running the blend stress test on the Windows 64 version of Prime 95 (25.6) and monitoring with Core Temp (0.99.2) my temps are hoving at just under 60 degrees (55-60).

I am typing away on these forums and downloading a file at the same time so I don't know if that might make a small difference, but I was expecting something closer to 45 degress prior to overclocking.

In an attempt to keep costs down I went for the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro (as I was only looking to do a modest overclock to 3Ghz) a decision I am starting to regret. Also it was a very tight fit when I tried to attach the fan to the heatsink and in fact I had to bend back a few of the cooling fins on the motherboard to get it on. I am a bit worried now that the HSF is not sitting flush with the CPU.

My tri-cool case fans are on low and the CPU fan is set via the BIOS to standard, so I can get the system cooler if necessary.

Have I got anything to worry about or are the temps normal?
Should I purchase another 120mm case fan (to mount centrally) prior to overclocking?
Should I up my fan speeds prior to overclocking?


Thank you

[PROJECT2501]

According to Intel's own specifications on the Q6600 - I see that you have the more popular G0-stepping SLACR model - is that the CPU is rated up to a maximum of 71 degrees C, so you're pretty safe at around 55-60. However, that is still pretty high for running stock clocks so I would considering increasing your tri-cool fans to medium to get more cool air in to the case itself. How many case fans have you got and where are they located?

As for the Freezer 7 Pro, I wouldn't be too concerned if you had to bend a few fins (I'm assuming you had some problems clearing the NB heatsink?) but I would make sure that it is fitted propertly. Take the cooler off and look at the CPU contact patch - is the thermal paste evenly distributed and squished? If not, it may be worth considering another cooler that fits better...

...or watercooling

[jallsey]

Thanks for the reply project2501, I took the case apart tidied-up the cables a little more (I had done a pretty good job already) and increased the speed on all the fans to medium. I can't see if the HSF is making good contact with the CPU without taking out the mobo which I am reluctant to do.

Just ran the Prime95 blend test again and got temps of 50-56 degrees (only touched 56 degrees for a couple of seconds too) so I am much happier, although the tri-cools on medium are a bit noisy!

The tri-cools are in the standard positions i.e. one sucking air into the bottom compartment cooling the hard disk and PSU, the other two in the top both acting as exhaust fans (one at the back, one in the roof).

I have just ordered a yate loon D12SL-12 to suck some air into the top of the case which I should have by the middle of next week.


Do you think my temps are OK now considering I want to go for an OC to 3Ghz?

Anyone else out there with a similar set-up, what sort of temps are you getting?

[jallsey]

One thing I though I would mention is at idle Core Temp 0.99.3 shows CPU temps of 30-35 degrees.

I have read before not to trust readings from ASUS's own PC Probe 2 but running the very latest version it gives me CPU temps at idle of 19-20 degrees!, is it that inaccurate???

Is there another reliable program I can use to verify the results from Core Temp?

[PROJECT2501]

I use HWMonitor (download from http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php) which I put a lot of faith in. You can monitor the core temps of each of your four cores individually.

Your idle temps are certainly looking a lot better. If you're put off by the noise that your case fans are making then consider upgrading them. The Antec TriCools set to medium move spins at 1600rpm, is rated at 56 CFM and makes 28dB. Why not try something like a Noctua NF-P12-1300 Vortex case fan? They'll move almost as much air but whilst spinning at only 1300rpm and making a hushly 20dB. They also have two lower speed settings which you can switch to when watching films/checking email/posting on Hexus.forums

Remember, the dB scale isn't linear, it's logarythmic so a drop of 8dB will have a much greater affect than you might think.

[PROJECT2501]

I should have mentioned that the Noctuas also cost about £15.59 a piece. But at what price silence?

Check 'em out here: http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/...cat=885&page=1

[jallsey]

Thanks again for your replies

Hwmonitors readings tally with Core Temp, so I have just uninstalled PC Probe 2 AKA Pile Of ****e.

Are my temps normal now?, am I safe to try an OC to 3Ghz when my new fan arrives? (assuming it will knock 2/3 degrees off my temps)

[PROJECT2501]

PC Probe? Isn't that some guff software which ships with Asus motherboards? I didn't install any of that rubbish.

I say go for the overclock. Like I said, your CPU is rated to 71 degrees so provided you keep an eye on the temps for the first 10 minutes of a blend test you'll be able to tell if things are getting a bit too hot. If things start moving towards the uncomfortably warm end of the scale then just kill the blend test, restart and clock it lower.

Assuming that you have the Freezer 7 Pro pointing towards the rear of the chassis, why not try increasing the rear case fan to high? You've got to make sure that heat is moving outside.

[PROJECT2501]

One more thing (isn't there always!)

I notice you're rocking a HD4870. Have you used the ATi CCC Profile hack to increase the fan speed above 23%? If not this might be a reason that a lot of heat is staying in the case as the new ATi cards run very hot. I find that increasing it to about 40% keeps things well within ranges when you're running the GPU at high utilisations (i.e. gaming or folding).

[jallsey]

Thanks again