P4 idle temps. Dodgy install ??

Hi all,

Finally got my PC built last night. All went well apart from I think I may have put too much thermal paste on the CPU

I did the small blob thing and spread it nice and thin but couln't get it so thin that I could see the writing on top (I was using ceramic paste if that makes a difference)
I did add another super thin layer almost in the center and put the HSF on top.
When I got it all up and running I loaded ASUS PC probe.
Idle temps were 24 - 26, is this okay for a P4 3Ghz ?
I am a little worried I have put too much paste on, any comments ? :confused:

A BIG BIG thanks on all on Hexus forums for answering my painful questions over the last few weeks. PC seems super fast and stable.

Many thanks indeed. :)

2800cc

26'c on idle is amazing probably a better result than someone using water cooling would get

well done mate, try it little pressure on it now and then check the temps...

download MBM and monitor your temps whilst your running some sort of benchmarker!

Hmmm.....2800cc, how many case fans are you running? I have 5 and my P4 2.4HT is overclocked 5% (to 2.52ghz) and i get 28-30 idle without thermal paste :confused: And going against advice, i have 4 blowing inwards and 1 exhaust and it keeps it cooler. Maybe i just have a weird machine! If anyone knows a better cooler than the Intel one, tell me. I'd like to drop that temp, at least by a few degrees!

Its not so much as the CPU idle temp you should be worried about, you should be more concerned at what temps you are getting at full load.

you are worried about 28-30 idle....
gosh....

Hi all,

Got my XP install all done ran some tests using 3dmark 2001. I know this isn't a CPU bench mark I just wanted to warm the bugger up a bit.
The score isn't worth mentioning as I have a geforce2 in there just to get the install going (putting my radeon 9800 in tonight)

Anyways !!!
I did the benchmark about 4 times in a row and the temp rose to 38 - 39.
My ASUS PC probe has set the alarm temp to 72 degrees.
What would be considered standard temps for idle and load for a P4 3Ghz

This seems like a very small point but since I've never put a CPU on before and I used ceramic I am very keen to keep an eye on temps for the first few days.

Cheers all

Opps just saw that last post.
I have one Vantec stealth blowing air in at the front and one of the same blowing out at the rear. I do have anoher fan that is positioned in access panel of the case but I havn't connected that up yet.
The case is a chieftec dragon - big heavy mother

to be honest mate temps witha P4 shouldnt be a issue as they will throttle i.e. the CPU will slow down in order to cool itself

quite ingenius really