Too Hot for OC?

[Newhydra]

Reposted from the Intel MB board...thought this would be a better forum for my question.

I'm thinking about OCing my comp a bit and I was wondering if I'd need better cooling?

Current Temps according to asusprobe (idle): CPU: 38c; MB: 26c
Room temp is about 24/25c (bah...comp heats up my room ;)
And according to the temp sensor in my gfx card
GPU Core: 48c(I know...nothing to do with ocing my CPU)
Ambient: 38c

Under load my CPU temp can get up to around 50c.

My current cooling is air; 2 intake, 2 outtake along with the GFX fan, 2 PSU fans and the CPU fan(stock intel). The case fans are not that good, 19.5 CFM.


I would just try it but I don't want to destroy anything (rather new to OCing...haven't OC'd anything before actually)

And a second question...I know that intel says the max operating temp is 70c, but how hot can it get for running most of the time? Something around 60c I'd imagine...?


System Info: P4c800-e Deluxe, cheap ram about to become OCZ PC4000 gold rev2, GeForce FX 5900U, P4 3.0ghz, Antec 400w SmartPower (undervolts the rails most of the time...not more than 5% though), 2xMaxtor 150gb SATA HD.

[Pointhore]

If you are running a 3.0C ,keep it under 60C and you will be fine. :thumb:

[Newhydra]

Not sure what I have...this is what CPU-Z says

[Pointhore]

You have a 3.0C (Northwood)

[Newhydra]

thanks...

What about cooling? Do I need better case fans or would I have a problem with my HSF/HS before the case fans would matter? (not really sure what an acceptable temp difference is between ambient case and cpu core)

[Pointhore]

The more airflow through your case the better. The faster you can remove the air from the case the better. Higher CFM fans can help, but can get noisy.
An aftermarket HSF will also help with the cooling of the CPU. The Zalman 7000a (https://magnum-pc.securewebsiteserver.net/product_info.php?cPath=22_60&products_id=162) is a nice HSF and quiet, if that is what you are looking for.
Run prime 95 while monitoring your temps and you can get a rough idea on where they will max out at.

[Newhydra]

Yeah, I know the more air you can move through your case the better, but my question is...are my case temps close enough to room temp already so a bigger/faster fan wouldn't do much? (and thus making it pointless to upgrade them more)


And a new question ;)

Any idea what a lightweight "quality" heatsink would be? I'm interested in keeping it safe to move my comp around w/out having to take it apart due to the heat sink being too heavy...