Faulty 8k3a+ or Dud Athlon?

[2sheds]

I just fitted a brand new Athlon XP2200+ (Thoroughbred) to an Epox 8k3a+. With the standard heatsink the BIOS indicates an idle temperature of 71 degrees celsius .This was with an open case at no more than 25 celsius room temperature. There is no overclocking. I am running the latest BIOS (B201) at standard settings.

In order to eliminate any other causes I have:

* Ensured heatsink is seated and aligned correctly - it is.
* Ensured BIOS was at defaults (also tired optimised - no difference in the temp)
* Changed the pad for Arctic SIlver 3 - no difference.
* Used another heatsink - Spire FalconRock II - temp drops to 61 degrees - still too high.

I would expect an idle temp between 35 and 45 degrees - not 71!! My question, is it the Epox 8k3a+ or is it a faulty Athlon?

What temps are you guys experiencing?

[nfrenay]

8k3a+ is know for reading approximatelly 10C higher then the processor actually is, but 70C is too much. Are you sure the cooler is on the right side??

[2sheds]

Originally posted by nfrenay
8k3a+ is know for reading approximatelly 10C higher then the processor actually is, but 70C is too much. Are you sure the cooler is on the right side??

Yep. Checked that - OK. And level and properly aligned. The contact seems to be very good between heat sink, Athlon and Arctic Silver.

Is there a history of overheating Athlon's?

[Holst]

8k3a+ reads the cpu's internal diode, this can read significantly higher than the insocket diodes most motherboards use.

I wouldnt be overly concerned by a temperature over 60*c providing your system is stable.

Just take your time once you decide to overclock.

[nfrenay]

Holst: I'm sorry but 70C idle, in-die or not, is too much!

[SteveI]

FYI.. going by memory here but:
8K3A+ w/ 1700+ @ 1975mhz, millenium glaciator under load... 80c
8K3A w/ 1700+ @ 1955mhz, SK7 + SF2 under load.... 68c.
8K3A w/ 1700+ @ 1870mhz, SK7 + SF2 under load.... 65c.
I can't remember which is which but I am using 2815 & 2b01.

No problems yet,, and I've seem temps spike about 4c higher when it got hot.

[Holst]

Originally posted by nfrenay
Holst: I'm sorry but 70C idle, in-die or not, is too much!

Only if the on die is accurate.

He may just have a diode in his CPU that reads a bit high....



I had reported temps of 70*c + watercooled with some processors on 8k3a+

As long as I was stable I didnt bother about it ad no damage was done to the processors.

By all means cheak your heatsink mounts and such, but dont get too hung up on temps.

[nfrenay]

I didn't know reading could be that far. Sorry..

[refermadness]

If you think your temp is reading too high then get a Digital Doc 5 and then you will get a more accurate reading.

[mixx666]

I'm with Holst on that one.
I had an older board which had on die temp in it and it always went up to about 69c. Over a year down the line it was still working. On die temps tend to worry alot of people. 70+ can be scary try putting a more powerfull fan on the sink that should help. I have a Delta fan with a little dile which I turn up if things get to hot