I've always been a bit apprehensive about my 4600+. It idles at or neat 50-51c.

But today, I ran the OCCT 30-minute test, and found none of the temperatures reported (by Speedfan) exceeded 54c, even during the full (94, 95, 96, whatever%)-load testing. I did it twice, I was so astounded.

I was under the impression that a Win95-based OS tended to not idle the CPU properly (hence the old programmes like Rain which fixed that and got lower idle temps) but this is Win2000. It should know better. There was a 10 degree spread on my 3200+ as I recall.

I'm trying to use CoreTemp too now in case SpeedFan is being bogus, but it's not going that high either (26 minutes remain)

Q1: What's a typical range between idle and load. I'd assume it varies on CPU type and cooler, but for a stock-clocked X2 with a midrange air-cooler, it should be more than 5C, right?

Q2: Is there some known issue where the dual-cores just don't idle correctly under Win2000?

Q3: CoreTemp notes "TCaseMax: 59C". Can the current TCase be determined with sensors, or approximated as a function of the core temperatures? Being 5C off of it doesn't seem like a really chilly setup.

Hve you tried running "Cool and Quite" that AMD has integrated into the CPU? (Bios option) It is supposed to lower the multiplier and voltage at idle and no load.

You will also need a CPU driver to make this work

AMD Athlon™ 64/FX Processor Utilities & Updates

Also , get the dual core optimiser driver.

Does you fan change speeds under load, or is it at a fixed RPM?

Do you happen to have one of those adapters that allow fans to run from a 12v Molex? If so, try that so the fan runs 100% all the time and see if you have a larger Delta between idle and load.

If not, you may have some options in the bios to control temps, or speed fan may allow you to control the RPM.

And yeah..when at dead stock voltage and clock speeds, sometimes there isnt a huge difference in load and idle temps..5-10c, but your idle temps do seem a bit high to me.

I think the TCASE MAX is supposed to be the mac temp youshould run your CPU safely at, I beleive it reads info from your CPU, AMD has that info in the equivalent of a "SPD" chip like memory does hard coded into it...thats how that progie is getting the info.


Sounds like your case doesnt have very good airflow, and you might try a bit of AS-5 under the heat sink.

I think my X-2 was idling around 30-35c, and 40-45c under load with the stock HSF and no OC...let me see if i can dig up some screenies.

Quote: Originally Posted by $SOLID$ Necro I think my X-2 was idling around 30-35c, and 40-45c under load with the stock HSF and no OC...let me see if i can dig up some screenies.

Those numbers sound about the same as my old X2 4800. The stock heatsink actually performed
fairly well :-)

The good news: Cool and Quiet works (I had heard it wouldn't on X2s under 2000) and it idles with cores in the mid-30s. But full-loads are as high as 55 still. The case temperature actually exceeds the core temperature in some situations (it's 39-40 usually) perhaps the sensor's in an odd place like under the video card.

The bad news: Load temps actually seem a touch higher (peaking at 55, instead of 54 or 53).

The first time I ran OCCT with C&Q, it powered-off and left no log entry... perhaps unrelated... but the second time it was fine.

The cooling's a bit light (AC Freezer 64 Pro on the CPU, 120mm fan at 5v (83cfm rating at full voltage) in the back, one of those stupid Antec PSUs that spins fans down for quietness, stealthy hole in the front of the side panel for intake). I wish I had a better 120 (as in could run at 12v without hideous noise) but all I have are the 100cfm sort.

I don't think TCase equals TCore, so I'm not sure wether 55 for cores is too close to 55 for the case.