Overheating?

[Zanmato]

I have a AMD XP 2600+ running @2.1Ghz on 333Mhz FSB. I decided to monitor the CPU load and temp whilst playing Civ4. It's got me worried because it's flat-out at 100% and raising to 70 degrees C. Is this too hot???
The motherboard stays around 36 degrees C.
The last thing I need is the CPU frying or getting damaged. Various searches on the web suggest it's way too hot. Doesn't really matter what size map I play on, the CPU still reads 100% load. What would be the best way of reducing such loads, upgrading the CPU or Video card? Or should I look at getting a better cooling system. Suggestions needed, thanks.

 

[vanguardian1]

Unfortunately, that's a great way of killing your CPU at those temps. A very good CPU fan alone will help 10-15 degrees at best, what kind of case setup are you using? The airflow inside it is the other big determining factor in your cpu heat situation. (hence, why some people are as adamant about case fans)

 

[Natronomonas]

70C is not killer for an AthlonXP, but it's getting towards the uncomfortable side of things. If you're on the stock heatsink still consider getting a Zalman CNPS or Artic Cooling - both relatively inexpensive heatsinks that can help considerably (I'd recommend the Zalman first). They'll also be quieter than the stock heatsink.
More radical is upgrading the processor - the Athlon64's are very cool (3200+ is about 30W, compared to XP at 65W). It also wouldn't have to work as hard, although with Civ4 it's probably just going to max out your processor anyway, even with a 4800+ X2.

If your performance is OK, I'd just spend $40 on the heatsink and be done with it. Consider as vanguardian said your case airflow too - an extra exhaust or intake fan may help.

 

[Zydor]

This is a reasonable article on the topic, goes through the basics etc with some good links to get further into it all. Worth a read.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/143

Regards
Zy

 

[Dearmad]

Just blow the dust out of the freaking thing. This isn't a stock cooler vs. whatever other cooler issue. No $$ need be spent to fix this- open the case; blow dust off the cooler, fans, etc... then play.

And Athlons are fine until closer to 80c.

 

[vanguardian1]

70c not a killer? I'd like to know why you say that, I've seen processors die hitting 60c. And the companies, (Intel & AMD) only "warranty" their processors up to 65c (I don't trust that statement however).

My perspective (and experience) is that anything over 50c is risking instability and anything over 55c is risking damage to the cpu. My friend's PC, a 3.2ghz P4 (PGA775) and Adobe Premire starts crashing as soon as it hits 54c.

I'm running Civ4 in the background at the moment and I'm getting 45c with a $25 Thermaltake BIG (and quiet) cooler (the heatsink/fan just doesn't cut it for me personally). AMD 2500+ Barton in my system, not overclocked, btw.

 

[snepp]

70C is within operating specs for that processor (85C max). Regardless, 70C for processor and 36C for MB? That's a pretty large spread. I'd take a close look at why the processor is running that high. Dirty fan and heatsink (as mentioned)? Poorly applied or dried up thermal paste?

 

[Zanmato]

Thanks for the replies guys and the link Zydor. The reason I was asking about upgrades was because I thought there might be somekind of data bottleneck whilst playing Civ somewhere in the hardware. I'll look around the CPU for things mentioned and look into getting new better cooling system should it need it. The case isn't that great but the vents/exhaust is where it should be and only have the one CPU fan and PSU fan.