I checked my CPU temp. in BIOS and it was idling at 54C. Is that a normal temperature for a 3.2 GHz P4? Also, is there an easy way to monitor CPU temp. in Windows?

yes it is normal. you are using the crappy stock cooler right? do you know which model number it is? i.e 540, 541, or 640..?

Yes, it is the crappy stock cooler. The model is 640. Maybe I should ask if this is a safe temperature.

yeah its fine, if you don't want to spend the money on a new cooler. these chips can handle 70*C easy.
I'd recommend get a zalman cnps7700 if it will fit on your mobo or else a cnps9500 - it'll be really quiet and cool too. depending on your case ventilation you'll idle at under 38*C.

To check your temps in Windows use speedfan. Google it. Good little program, will monitor all your temps for you.

54C at idle is a little high even with the stock cooker!

How many fans do you have in the case and are they running at full speed?

Whats your ambiant temp?

Check your bios and make sure EIST is enabled.

Run with the case cover off and see if the temp drops, if so you have poor air flow and need to adjust it.

Try this to monitor your temps in windows. It's not 100% accurate, usually 2-3C below actual temp. Depends on your mobo sensors.

http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php



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P4 640 @ 3.2GHz 35.5C idle
6600 GT AGP
Antec Sonata Case

hashv2f16 said

Hey man lay off the hash!

If a 640 hits 70C you've got bbbiigggg problems!

http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/re [...] 2403.htm#1



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P4 640 @ 3.2GHz 35.5C idle
6600 GT AGP
Antec Sonata Case

I don't know if "cooker" was a typo or what, but I laughed when I read it.

Thanks for the help.

Typo!

OK, I just checked the temps in BIOS again and the CPU was at 50-51C. I stayed in BIOS for a few minutes and it changed to 57C. Is that normal?

yes man. its normal. if you've got crappy cooling.

Was that with the case cover on or off?

It's normal for the temp to rise slightly in bios as it stabilises.

Relax! it's not going to hurt it but it can be reduced with proper case ventilation.

Download speed fan and open it and leave it running with the chart open to log temp.

Play a game and see what your load temp is. That's the one thats important.

Make sure there's no build up of dust on the cooler.
_____________________

P4 640 @ 3.2GHz 35.5C idle
6600 GT AGP
Antec Sonata Case

if u know the manafacture, check out there website

if it's by chance an asus board, u can get a program called

Asus Probe

i am gonna say thou 54 is fine, i am running @ Intel 530J

@ 35F on the Stock Fan and Heat Sink

but keep in mind that i have a Thermaltake Armor Case and decent Cooling

Djsx64 said

No offence but a 530J does not have speed step.

http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/re [...] 2403.htm#1

A 640 throttles back to 2.800Ghz in idle so his temps should not be that high.

Its fast approaching throttling due to temp at idle?


_____________________

P4 640 @ 3.2GHz 35.5C idle
6600 GT AGP
Antec Sonata Case

Also keep in mind u got an Intel CPU .....

Or it just be the sensor...

Just to give you an idea of the performance of the stock cooler is like follow the link.

http://www.pcextreme.net/SwiftechMCX478V.php


I don't use the cooler in the review but it compares it to a stock intel cooler.


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P4 640 @ 3.2GHz 35.5C idle
6600 GT AGP
Antec Sonata Case

Hey, so what does speedstep mean for overclocking? does it throttle your overclocked chip down regardless waht you set the frequency to? Is there any way of disabling it? does setting power schemes in the control panel to "always on" disable speedstep throttling?