Athlon 64 temperatures

[Kevin P]

I'm in the process of building a new PC for a friend of mine. This is the third A64 box I've built, and I'm concerned about the CPU temps. In the BIOS it's hovering around 55C. It's a Clawhammer A64 3500+. The same chip I had in my original Phantom Stalker PC, where the temps were in the mid-upper 30s under load. Note that in the Stalker, I used a BIG copper heatpipe heatsink/fan, while in this new box I'm using the HSF provided by AMD with the chip.

I removed the thermal paste provided by AMD and applied Arctic Silver 5, a nice thin layer. I removed the sink and AS5 and reapplied but it made little difference. I think the HSF isn't contacting the top of the chip as well as it should.

From what I've read, anything under 60C is ok for a A64 but I'm wondering what any of you guys are seeing for temps with your A64 with the stock HSF. I suppose if push comes to shove I'll get a better HSF.

[Trevor Schell]

I agree Kevin!
Just get the same HSF you have with your PC.
Your temps are incredibly low.

My currrent temps are at around 53C under load with running Seti@Home
and this is with the Athlon XP 3200+ processor.
Yes I am in Dino land! :alol:

[Kevin P]

Athlon XP temps run higher since they don't have a heat spreader on the chip, like the 64s do. So 53C under load is normal for a XP, but is on the high side for a 64 IMHO.

[Shane Martin]

My 64 3500+ runs ~ 40C under load. This is using the Zalman fan. I also have a thin layer of AS5 in between.

Mine is a Winchester 3500+.

[Kevin P]

I replaced the stock HSF with an Arctic Cooler copper heatpipe cooler and the temps dropped 10C. Now seeing 42-43C under load. Much better.

I guess I have to plan on an aftermarket sink for any box I build in the future.

[Shane Martin]

Kevin,
I originally was not sold on an Aftermarket heat sink until I saw what this Zalman did to my 64. I'm SOLD now.