Vista - Hot Quad?

Hey all!.. I just got done downloading Coretemp as well as Realtemp so I can keep a eye on my temps and I am noticing that as I am typing this my temps per core temp are 51,51,49,49c at 2% load. when I play a "graphically" fairly non demanding game such as Rfactor for 15mins or so my temps are up around 64c. I am running the stock cooler on my Intel Quad 6600 (also running stock)in a Thermaltake armor case and these temps seem a little high.I do have more demanding games and I am wondering whether I need to do something here.Unfortunately I cannot find much info on what the upper limits are with this processor. Upon surfing Intel's site it runs me in circles and does not really tell me much. Do these numbers sound right or am I in trouble?

They sound perfectly right - your issue here is the stock cooler - it basically sucks.

Although these CPUs can run at temps in the 70s and 80s, I don't recommend it - I have my 6600 OC'd to 3.21 GHz and it stays below 60 even when I am hard core gaming (pair of GTX 260s and running Mass Effect, Fallout 3, etc).

Your temps are hot, but by no means very destructive, over the short time period - if you want longevity, though, I'd *highly* suggest moving to a slightly more energy efficient Q9xxx series or else replacing your cooler with a ThermalRight Ultra Extreme 120 cooler, pretty much accepted as the best air cooler out there. I personally use a Tuniq Tower 120 LFB, and it is arguably the second best air cooler on the market.

There are many other things that you can do to help alleviate this, but that would entail a long and detailed discussion of BIOS settings, power saving settings, airflow optimization in your cooler, etc....

Here's the specs for your chip..... Q6600

you need to invest in an aftermarket cooler, the stock intel one is crap.....

also cable management within the case will play a big part in temps as will fan configuration...



SK

Looks like we were both posting at the same time, Mitch

LOL.....typical

First of all for Skunksmash, Typical how? and also I am running this processor using the motherboard's built in cooling tech. Should I be running it full speed? and since I cannot find the book on this processor how do I do this? As you probably know this case has 2 120mm fans in it (both running wide open as well as a 90mm in the top)..as to johngalt's reply since money right now is tight is there a possible link to other discussions as to your point on "airflow" optimization,settings etc? I really appreciate the responses. This rig has got to get me through the next year or so before I can think about going with a new board and processor combo

He was replying to me when I said we had posted simultaneously - that is how forum posts work - replies without quotations are being applied to the previous post.

As for links for airflow optimization, we have discussed it a few times, but the basic idea here is that airflow into the system needs to mach airflow out - so that means keeping your system relatively dust free so airflow is not impeded. Also, that means keeping your components dust free so he air has a clear pathway across the heatsinks in place.

As I said before - your temps are quite normal given that you re using the stock cooler, and since money is a tight issue, your best bet is to turn the machine off when you're not using it.

My thanks for your response and I did not know that was "how it works". As for the air and air out, Both 120mm's are clear, clean and unblocked(installed yesterday) and of course the rear 120 is less than 2" from my cpu cooler. I do put the machine in standby when not actually on it. I will research more on the optimization part though. Also I had this processor installed by someone else (local shop)so as to the paste and how it was applied I do not know but hope it was done properly

With those temps I'd say it was done properly - as we both said, that cooler is simply crap - the fact that you're not in the middle to high 60s at idle says that they did at least some of it right....

sorry, when i said ''typical'' i was referring to johngalt's post...


please explain this ''built in cooling tech'' if your referring to the HSF speed, yes run it at 100% for that cooler..

i know you said cash is an issue but check this out..... its $30 shipped & its better than the AC7 pro (which is pretty good) & as soon as you dump this in there you'll notice the difference instantly...

in regard to fans ''personally'' i try to create a positive pressure inside the case by having more intakes than exhausts, this will also force air in through the fans rather than a negative pressure which then sucks air in through every nook & cranny creating dust build up in the worst places...


EDIT: slow of the mark again...lol



SK