Dear Group, I wrote last week about heat issues with a new AMD 64 3700+ San Diego Core based computer. I want to thank everyone for their comments, observations, hints and opinions. I was finally able to dig deeper into the problem today and thought I would share my results. My comments and observations are inline with some of the original posters e-mails:
> -----Original Message----- > From: Greg Sevart > The 90nm Venice and San Diego cores are very cool running chips. My > overclocked, overvolted Venice at 2.61GHz runs around 28C > idle, and 42C max load. Temperatures of the extreme you mention > almost definitely indicate one of two things: > > 1. Improper reporting of the temperature (try closing > whatever you're using and use Speedfan) I downloaded and installed speedfan. Nice piece of software. It gave the same results as I had been getting from EasyTune5. On a test run with Nero Recode today (with room temp at 78 F), the idle temp was 37C and it raised to 42C under about 50% load and then 52C under 60-100% load and finally 61C (where I shut Nero down) within 12 minutes of constant 100% cpu load. > 2. Improper installation of the heatsink/fan, or somehow > significantly obstructed case airflow. Full size Antec Case with 4 case fans, cpu fan and ps fan. Good air flow with no restrictions. See below for CPU installation comments. > If I were you, I would start an encode, then feel how hot the > heatsink is after a while of running. When speedfan indicated a temp of 60C, the heat sink just felt slightly warm to the touch. I tried to get as close to the cpu as possible and never felt an uncomfortable degree of heat. > Greg > -----Original Message----- > From: Chris Reeves > Agreed. I tried this myself (I'm running a 3700+ Sandiego) > I'm using the XP120 HSF combo. I have almost never seen my unit top 40C. > (non OC). I tried a DiVX Recode of some security camera video.. so > 640x480*60fps/1 hr worth; recoded without a big spike in my heat; > same was true with Nero Recode. You might see if your board is reporting > temperature right. Thanks for the real life comparison. Not at all what I WAS getting. > I haven't used EasyTune, so I can't vouch for that, but using > a literal temp guide (Vantec, non-software).. > Seriously, if it's 60C, it's cooking. See if you can get it > to spike that high on that easytune and then just get your hand near it As above, it didn't feel hot. > the HSF isn't blazing, then your readout in the software is bad. Not sure if the temp readout are bad. They seem to follow the pattern you would expect. Slightly above room temp at idle, increasing with increase CPU load. > I haven't seen an AMD64, even the older series, hit 60C > consistently, even with retail HSF in a well designed case. That's why the temps I was seeing got me worried. > CW > -----Original Message----- > From: Mark Dodge > > Did you take off the pad and put a good paste instead? > Mark Dodge Originally I thought I would stick with the thermal pad provided on the retail version of the package so that AMD would have no complaints if I had a problem. BUT, I think you are right! I removed the HSF, cleaned it off and replace with artic silver 5. I ran the same test as discussed above, with a vastly different outcome. The room temp had fallen to 74F and the cpu was running 30C at idle. I fired up a Nero Recode and watched the temp raise to 42C over 12 minutes. It then dropped a degree to 41C and remained there for 17 minutes (it was getting close to my bedtime so I stopped the test early). After ending Nero, the temp dropped to 30C within 5 minutes and is running at 28C as I write this e-mail. I plan on re-testing in the hot afternoon weather tomorrow, but I am very encouraged with the results. Again, Thanks to all. Things seem to be looking up for the AMD64 (meanwhile, my Athlon XP 3200+ is running at 48C idle and just rebooted :( Jim Maki [EMAIL PROTECTED]
