CPU 60 degrees Celsius at idle?

Skeiron · Sep 28, 2013

Hello! I'm new at tom's Hardware but I'm kind of average when it comes to these stuff.

So straight to my question, is it normal that my CPU is having 60 degrees Celsius at idle? And when I try to play a game i.e. Torchlight II, it sudden goes up to 70-80 degrees which frightens me!

What could I do to resolve this issue? BTW here's my PC Specs:

Operating System
Microsoft Windows XP Professional 32-bit SP3

CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 @ 2.93GHz 58 °C
Wolfdale 45nm Technology

RAM
2.00GB Single-Channel DDR2 @ 399MHz (6-6-6-18)

Motherboard
Intel Corporation DG41RQ (LGA775) 33 °C

Graphics
L177WSB (1440x900@60Hz)
1024MB GeForce GT 220 (nVidia) 47 °C

Hard Drives
298GB Seagate ST3320418AS (SATA) 32 °C

Optical Drives
PCPSZ F89INGXM3WH SCSI CdRom Device

Audio
NVIDIA High Definition Audio

(*This information is from Speccy)

Further CPU specs (from Speccy)
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E7500
Cores 2
Threads 2
Name Intel Core 2 Duo E7500
Code Name Wolfdale
Package Socket 775 LGA
Technology 45nm
Specification Intel Core2 Duo CPU E7500 @ 2.93GHz
Family 6
Extended Family 6
Model 7
Extended Model 17
Stepping A
Revision R0
Instructions MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, Intel 64
Virtualization Supported, Disabled
Hyperthreading Not supported
Fan Speed 1171 RPM
Bus Speed 266.3 MHz
Rated Bus Speed 1065.3 MHz
Stock Core Speed 2933 MHz
Stock Bus Speed 266 MHz
Average Temperature 58 °C

Caches
L1 Data Cache Size 2 x 32 KBytes
L1 Instructions Cache Size 2 x 32 KBytes
L2 Unified Cache Size 3072 KBytes

Core 0
Core Speed 2929.5 MHz
Multiplier x 11.0
Bus Speed 266.3 MHz
Rated Bus Speed 1065.3 MHz
Temperature 57 °C
Thread 1
APIC ID 0

Core 1
Core Speed 2929.5 MHz
Multiplier x 11.0
Bus Speed 266.3 MHz
Rated Bus Speed 1065.3 MHz
Temperature 58 °C
Thread 1
APIC ID 1

nukemaster · Sep 28, 2013

Please check that the cooler is not filled with dust.

Those temperatures seem quite high for the cpu in question.

4Ryan6 · Sep 28, 2013

Skeiron :

Your idle temps are way too high!

You listed everything but how the CPU is being cooled?

If it is being cooled by a stock cooler you need to go to an aftermarket CPU cooling solution like the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO linked below for starters.

http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...oduct_info&cPath=46_185_517&products_id=32616

The Cooler Master Hyper 212+ is still available as well slightly cheaper.

http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...oduct_info&cPath=46_185_517&products_id=25876

Good case air flow and a good CPU cooling solution are the most important elements in a cool running CPU.

4Ryan6 · Sep 28, 2013

@ nukemaster

Congrats on your moderator status!

Skeiron · Sep 28, 2013

OH sorry I forgot, btw it's a stock CPU so this is what the manufacturer provided us. I checked a while ago and there's no cooler except for the 3 fans; 1 intake and 1 out, and the Mobo's.

Also, how will I put the Cooler in case I will buy one? The processor is kind of in line with my GPU so, I can't seem to think how should I put it in there. Sorry if the questions are kind of stupid.

4Ryan6 · Sep 28, 2013

Skeiron :

Like nukemaster suggested you may have some serious dust buildup, have you checked that?

Do you have any skill or knowledge regarding venturing inside your case?

I'm trying to discover your skill level before suggesting any further?

Skeiron · Sep 28, 2013

I have experience in terms of cleaning the CPU, replacing some stuff inside. Well I just cleaned my CPU because I think it would help decrease the temperature. Unfortunately before and after cleaning, temperatures are still the same. As you could see, I'm not the type that knows deeply the overclocking and related stuff but I can manage to catch on some topics if you ever need me to do more challenging tweaks/solutions in this one.

Thanks for being patient with me.

4Ryan6 · Sep 28, 2013

Skeiron :

There are no stupid questions!

Just questions of inexperience.

I'm trying to ascertain your skill level to know what you'll be capable of doing yourself, the Cooler I've suggested has to be mounted by removing the motherboard if there is no cutout for CPU socket access on the motherboard mounting tray, and probably your case does not have the cutout, meaning you would have to remove the motherboard to mount the cooler.

4Ryan6 · Sep 28, 2013

Skeiron :

The reason the motherboard would have to be removed is the cooler comes with a mounting back plate for the backside of the motherboard it's purpose is to protect the motherboard from the weight of the cooler.

Do you think you could do the mounting process?

Skeiron · Sep 28, 2013

Yes I think I can do that, but can you still give me some advice or instructions to be able to perform it properly? I have some knowledge in doing the mounting process because I saw my friend deal with the said process.

4Ryan6 · Sep 28, 2013

Check this out.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/258023-29-installing-cooler-master-hyper

Skeiron · Sep 28, 2013

I came across a topic about Thermal Paste, would that help if apply new thermal paste on my CPU? I'm not pretty sure if I have thermal paste as of it's stock so should I also clean it if ever I need to do this?

Skeiron · Sep 28, 2013

Thanks kind moderators, should I also switch to another case? Mine's a Powerlogic one IDK what the model name, but I always come across the Cooler Master cases. What do you think?

nukemaster · Sep 28, 2013

Edit. i see you made a post while i typed.

If you have removed the cooler, You have(should) to apply new paste. I have never seen temps that high even on stock cooled system.

Also ensure the pins are LOCKED properly.

The 212 is a cheap way to ensure proper installation(honestly, you can not go wrong) and better temperatures as well.

Just make sure your case has room for the tower style cooler. Most(but not all) cases with a 120mm(12cm) rear fan will take the 212. A picture of your system may help.

@ 4Ryan6, Thanks

4Ryan6 · Sep 28, 2013

Skeiron :

FYI, If you were to replace the stock cooler with the Cooler Master it comes with thermal compound, and you would clean off the old and apply the new when you changed the cooler.

Skeiron :

I'm not an active moderator, I'm retired, as far as switching to another case, is it necessary?

Skeiron · Sep 28, 2013

Alright, @4Ryan6, Well as I read the guide you linked to me I also read about apply the thermal paste and such, so thanks again for posting the complete guide! To the case, as far as the cooling design is concerned, I would really like to replace this one because it has no mesh panel in front and I cannot mount intake fans in that situation. Or maybe after I buy the cooler I will reconsider if the temp is still high.

@nukemaster. Thanks for clarifying some of the issues I provided. I will post the picture later as for my internet is not cooperating when I upload my shot from my s3.

swifty_morgan · Sep 28, 2013

if you used the computer for this length of time before getting high temps.................. remove cooler, clean off old paste and reapply new. reassemble. ............. the older Intel ( and decent newer ones ) come with a big slug of copper that contacts the cpu. they always worked good. the fan was a little noisy but the worked good. no need to replace that.

don't forget to clean the intakes on the power supply. if that suffers the whole system suffers.

Skeiron · Sep 28, 2013

Here's a shot on my CPU:

nukemaster · Sep 28, 2013

Looks very clean. Not a dust problem that I can see.

If you have thermal paste, try to clean and replace it.

Again, you have to be sure those pins make it all the way to the other side of the board to grab properly.

Your case has smaller rear fans, this makes me think a 212 may not fit(hit the side panel).

Skeiron · Sep 28, 2013

@swifty_morgan Thanks for adding solutions! As of now I don't have a thermal paste with me so I will probably have one after I go and buy a new cooler. Can you give me more explanation on how I shouldn't buy a new one I already cleaned the CPU just moments ago. So I don't think that dust is the problem here.

4Ryan6 · Sep 28, 2013

Skeiron :

You have an additional fan mounting available?

Skeiron · Sep 28, 2013

@4Ryan6, what do you mean? Like mounting slot for additional fans? Well if that's what you meant, I have 1 more on top of the exhaust and 1 more at the side panel.

And if you meant more fans, unfortunately I don't have extra fans right now.

swifty_morgan · Sep 28, 2013

just saying, if it was fine until a short while ago, the paste probably dried out and isn't conducting properly............

don't buy thermal paste with " diamond" particles in it........... zalman super grease or thermaltake white grease ( paste ).

you haven't messed around in the BIOS at all? wonder if voltages got messed up at all? you can try a cmos reset. won't hurt anything.

Skeiron · Sep 28, 2013

@swifty_morgan Hmm maybe you are correct. As far as I know, the CPU heated up just last week. So okay, I will reconsider that before buying a new cooler.

In regards with the BIOS/CMOS I believe I didn't do anything aside from booting from USB since I installed my OS using a USB/Flash disk.

Skeiron · Sep 28, 2013

Sorry if I cannot answer further replies, I will just have a day off since my relatives would be coming over. But please do drop more advice, suggestions, and solutions to address the problem.

I will check them as soon as I could. Thanks in advance!

CPU 60 degrees Celsius at idle?

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