CPU Temps

Computer Forum CPU, Motherboards and Memory
1

I built a new PC this weekend (my first build), and I’m getting some wild fluctuations in my CPU temps.

Mobo: ASUS A8N SLI Premium
CPU: AMD 64 x2 4200
HS/Fan: Zalman 7000 92mm fan with Artic Silver 5

The fan is hardwired into the mobo so it stays at a constant RPM, at least as far as I know, because it doesn’t sound like it slows down. I have a CoolerMaster case with a 120mm fan at the rear, 80mm at the front, no side fan. The front grill is messhed all the way up so there is plenty of air flow capability.

I used the ASUS PC Probe software to check out the CPU temps. I haven’t fooled with it very much yet but my CPU temps fluctuate and rise from 34C to 60C in a matter of 10-15 seconds and then they drop at the same rate.

I have an Antec TruePowerII 550 PSU with a 120mm fan on the bottom that flows well.

Any ideas or thoughts? Is the ASUS software accurate enough?

BTW, I may have an issue with the 120mm case fan. Sometimes I have to nudge the fan to get it going, so it may not be spinning at the full capablity. Also it is plugged into the 4 prong cable from the PSU so supposedly the PSU is controlling the 120mm. Thanks for the input.

2

I’d check temps in your BIOS and also give SpeedFan a try. Report back with the temps from there, sometimes monitoring software can give false readings because of a bad monitoring chip.

3

Personally, I think PC Probe is way to sensative to the slightest fluctuations. I’ve never been impressed with it myself, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily wrong. Still, try something else, like Speedfan.

4

I’ve tried Asus Probe on a few different builds, I’ve never noticed any wild fluctuations with it.

5

If I go into BIOS the temps don’t fluctuate but are steady at 34c. Which do I believe? I lean towards trusting the BIOS, it should give you real time temps, etc, right?

I haven’t downloaded all the latest drivers from ASUS for the chipset, BIOS, etc, maybe this effects tihngs, but I doubt it. Everytime I go to download them, freakin’ Explorer resets the connection, or the firewall is screwing things up or either the damn DSL router that SBC gave has some sort of firewall with that 2Wire crap. Any of you guys had problems with that? I know it’s off the subject, I might start another thread on it.

6

I’d go with the BIOS temps, since the ones repoted by Probe are fluxuating like mad. Yes the bios does give you realtime temps.

As for the asus site, make sure you use www.usa.asus.com because I have experienced reset connections while downloading from their site before, and it’s their server. Just keep trying different mirrors if USA doesnt’ work, use China or something closer.
Hope this helps!

7

Thanks Guys.
The temps in the BIOS and even the NVidia monitoring program both show stable temps at idle of about 34-35C.

However, the rear case fan was junk, I had to nudge on startup to get it going and it pushded very little air.

I put a new Antec 120mm and it dropped the temps to 30-31C and it pushes a good bit of air. Plus it has a 3 speed switch with it.

I haven’t pushed the system hard yet with any gaming but I’m curious to see what the temps will be.

Is there a way to look at the temps as you are playing or at least flash back to the desktop to check it out?

8

Those temps are nice, AMD CPU’s are known for running fairly cool. Having to nudge a fan to get it spinning is never good, buying a new fan certainly did help!