Should I OC with this heat?

I don't recommend it. 65C at load is pretty much the threshhold for the CPU.

Hi mickeddie,

Haven't seen you post for quite some time.

When TAT is at 100% thermal load, it is equal to Orthos Small FFT's or Prime 95 Small FFT's at 114% work load, if it were possible to push them that high, which would also increase temperatures by about 5c. Since there are no applications or games that will push your processor above 70% to 80% continuous work load, your Core temperatures are OK if they peak at 65c during testing, when your ambient temperature is 27c (80.6F).

From my Temp Guide for your E6600:

Scale 5: Duo
E6x00: Tcase Max 61c, Stepping L2, TDP 65W, Idle 12W
E4x00: Tcase Max 61c, Stepping L2, TDP 65W, Idle 12W
E21x0: Tcase Max 61c, Stepping L2, TDP 65W, Idle 8W
X6800: Tcase Max 60c, Stepping B2, TDP 75W, Idle 24W
E6x00: Tcase Max 60c, Stepping B2, TDP 65W, Idle 24W (Spec# SL9S)
E6x00: Tcase Max 60c, Stepping B2, TDP 65W, Idle 12W (Spec# SL9Z)
E6x20: Tcase Max 60c, Stepping B2, TDP 65W, Idle 12W

-Tcase/Tjunction-
--60--/--65--65-- Hot
--55--/--60--60-- Warm
--50--/--55--55-- Safe
--25--/--30--30-- Cool

Remember that Tcase is CPU temperature, and Tjunction is Core temperatures.

Use Real Temp 2.6 - http://www.techpowerup.com/realtemp/ - and Prime95 25.6 - http://www.majorgeeks.com/Prime95_d4363.html - to test your Core temperatures. Since thermal saturation is typically reached within 7 to 8 minutes, a 10 minute test is sufficient to determine temperature levels. I think you'll find that your Core temperatures will actuall peak at about 60c, given the same 27c ambient temperature as before. I doubt that reseating your cooler will accomplish anything, so I wouldn't persue that course of action. Instead, I would be concerned about the power supply message, however, perhaps a little dusting and cleaning may be all that is needed, and increasing fan RPM settings a bit, if that's an option.

Hope this helps,

Comp

Comp...I did as you suggested and my core temp peaked at 62c. I guess I shouldn't overclock this machine??

And what did you mean by "power supply message"?

Thanks!

Eddie