P4 heat ratings

[Kokopelli]

Here's the situation: I have a 3g P4 with 512 3200 DDR. I have a 500W PSU with dual 88mm fans. The Case at this time has two 88mm fans on the lower side panel as intakes and PCI card with dual fans for the Video card. The exhaust fan is a 60mm 32 CFM ThermalTake fan. The CPU fan is a P4 rated fan up to 3g.

Here's the problem: the "system" temperature ranges between 22*C - 33*C on a high load. The CPU tempterature ranges between 50*C - 61*C on a heavy system load. I have the BIOS set up to "kill it" if it reaches 65*C. I have been running this set up for the past three weeks and it has only reset twice due to pinging the "65" mark. Ironically, it was not while playing a game like FarCry or Thief3 with the settings maxed.

There are two questions that I have. One, what is the normal temperature range for a P4, 3g's? Second, how can I lower my CPU temperatures short of going liquid? I have some extra 88mm fans and I am debating whether I should I dremel and intake vent on the side panel directly in front of the CPU.

What is your take on it?

 

[SirKenin]

You are in the normal operating range for those things. I'm assuming just by the range and the CPU that you are using a Prescott.. They run hot by their very nature. About 10C hotter than a Northwood for some reason.

The ambient temperature in the room also has a lot to do with it. If you have a warm room, your CPU will run hotter obviously.

The only think I can think of is tying up that mess of cables you have in the box, and getting rounded cables wherever possible. Reduce the amount of obstructions in the box and you should be a bit better off.

My Prescott runs at about 52C when it is under load. I have an OCZ Eliminator 2 on it. Funny thing, it was running at 42 until I updated the BIOS. Wierd

 

[Kokopelli]

Thank you for the response. That clarifies some things up. The CPU fan is a Speeze P4 deal. I probably should've gone for a Vantec or bought one of those monstrous turbine style of fans. Unfortunately, the wife was already getting annoyed that system upgrades as they were. LOL

I have some of the rounded cables - will install them tonight.

 

[pgp_protector]

Sounds like someone need to look into water cooling.

Or somthing simpler

 

[Kokopelli]

Sounds like someone need to look into water cooling.

I know that's fake, but are you trying to get me in trouble with the wife, aren't you?

 

[marduke]

water cooling is excellent if you dont mind the fact that there is water flowing through your computer.. lol i always have the fear of one of the pipes splitting or something and water going all over the hardware...
if i could afford it i'd get a watercooled setup with copper piping and a radiator (yes a radiator) with coolant as the cooling agent instead of water. major overclocking here i come.. lol

 

[pgp_protector]

I know that's fake, but are you trying to get me in trouble with the wife, aren't you?

Actually, that's a real watercolling system that someone did a hobe brew for, they wanted it to run at around 0Deg C