Archived from groups: comp.hardware,alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (
More info?)
On 14 Jun 2005 18:51:09 GMT, Ricky Romaya
<something@somewhere.com> wrote:
>Hi,
>
>Anybody could tell me, or point me to a resource, regarding a list of
>working temperature limits of Intel Pentium4 2.0-3.4GHz processors (both
>478 and LGA; northwood, presscott, and EE series)? What are the
>normal/recommended working temperatures, and max safe limit for each of
>those processors?
>
>TIA
The temp can vary by 5-10C based on the specific CPU core
and frequency. See
http://www.intel.com for the specifics
per each CPU. In general, the max temp is around 85-90C,
but the maximum temp at which one can expect stable
operation (at stock speeds) is closer to 70C, a little
higher for the lower speeds in each family and a little
higher for the upper speeds per family.
Recommended temps are dependant on the application- one
cannot realistically expect some configurations (particuarly
low-profile chassis) to provide as much airflow or heatsink
clearance as larger chassis. A ballpark might be 46C, in a
typical 24C room. IE- 22C over the ambient temp, so if your
ambient were 30C, it'd be expected that CPU temp rises to
52C. As a processor's frequency increases (with all other
things remaining equal) the heat also linearly increases, so
the upper speed Prescotts would have a bit more than 22C
rise over ambient.
If you put your questions into a context it might be easier
tailor an answer, but the general idea is that with a
typical climate-controlled room (moderate ambient temp) and
a case designed as per AMD or Intel guidelines, either CPU
will stay cool enough with the respective retail CPU boxed
heatsink... and one does not have to be concerned about
hitting any specific threshold except to keep the CPU cool
enough that it remains stable.
That max stable temp can vary per specimen of CPU also, so
it's a good idea to test this stability at full load in the
max anticipated ambient temps. Such tests much check the
work done by the CPU else errors would go unnoticed.
Towards that end Prime95's Torture Test is a good one if ran
for minimum of 45minutes, but practically for hours or a
whole day.