how to tell if temperatures are "normal"

[houseworksux]

Do I need to learn and/or do something about "temperatures"
I run a lot of programs at the same time (I have been restarting only if the machine complains or the screen won't redraw or something) and someone just told me that I could overheat and kill the computer, so I just ran a program called AIDA - Personal System Information.
Can you tell me if my computer is "normal". Once I start working on applications the temps climb and don't really go down much if I close them. Is this normal or should I be worried about frying this computer?

When I do a normal boot (Norton AV/FW, Adsgone and the AIDA program), I get:
Temperatures:
Motherboard - 49 °C (120 °F)
CPU - 45 °C (113 °F)
Aux - 37 °C (99 °F)
Cooling Fans:
CPU - 2411 RPM
Chassis - 3245 RPM

When I open Adobe Photoshop, Jasc Paint/AnimationShop, MS ImageComposer, Outlook and IE running, I get:
Temperatures:
Motherboard - 51 °C (124 °F)
CPU - 66 °C (151 °F)
Aux - 37 °C (99 °F)
Cooling Fans:
CPU - 2377 RPM
Chassis - 3245 RPM



I don't know if you need this info, but this is a short summary:
Computer:
Operating System - Microsoft Windows ME
Motherboard:
CPU Type - AMD Athlon-PECM, 1000 MHz (5 x 200)
Motherboard Name - Asus A7S-LE (3 PCI, 1 AGP, 2 DIMM, Audio, Video, LAN)
Motherboard Chipset - SiS 730S
System Memory - 304 MB (SDRAM)
BIOS Type - Award Medallion (05/09/01)

Thank You

 

[john11m]

that seems pretty hot. I'm overclocked quite a bit and running prime 95 (working the pc to the absolute max), i normally get around 56 C for the CPU. With nothing running it is in the low 40s.

Normally 60 C for the CPU is the max you want to be, and even with all those programs running, you might not be making it exacily to the max.

Did you install the CPU and heatsink yourself? If that is the case, maybe you just did it improperly and it'll cool down if you reseat it and use some thermal paste.

 

[crjdriver]

Those temps are a little high. Many things effect system temp such as ambient temp, case airflow, size and type of case, number of exhaust fans.

What temp does it show in your bios? I trust bios temps more than temps shown by software programs.

If your temp in the bios is also high, I would do some additional investigating as to its cause. You may need to add an exhaust fan or give your case and hsf a good cleaning.

 

[houseworksux]

thank you for your responses

john11m. No, I did not install myself. I did go in and install RAM, but that is it

crjdriver. How do I check the BIOS temp?

I searched all over Sony & could not find any information on this.

The only fan (I think) I have seen is on the Power Supply I was told to move & flip over when I installed the RAM. I don't have a clue where the other one is.

Do I just need to take the fan (on the power supply) apart and clean it maybe? I did clean a bit of dust out of there when doing the RAM thing. The computer sits on the top of my desk and is not blocked by anything.

I have attached some pdf's of my machine. (back of machine / case opened / power supply flipped over / spec sheet found in manual) Does this help you with my issue?

your help is appreciated - this machine is on for about 8 hours a day

 

[crjdriver]

crjdriver. How do I check the BIOS temp?

Enter your bios; there are various keys most of the time it is the DEL key or F1 or F2. In your bios you should see something like PC Health or system health. There you should see your temps and voltages.

 

[houseworksux]

Hi again
from the BIOS, my readings are:
Motherboard - 37 °C (98.5 °F)
CPU - 67 °C (152.5 °F)

 

[brite750]

I wish I could give you alot of hope about lowering your temps, but looking at the Sony case layout, it's very tight, no air curculation. Still not clear on your fan layout. Looks like one out the back?, one on cpu? Power supply fans are usually built in to the PS enclosure. The first thing to fix is the cpu heatsink/fan assembly. With a clone pc it's simple, buy a new hsf, take old one off, clean off cpu, apply fresh thermal grease (artic silver) install heat sink and fan, that's it. with a Sony, who knows. If there is some way to install a case fan to blow out the back, that would be the next thing to look at.
Just looked at back view again, there is no place for a fan, I think Sony is depending on the PS fan to do the exhaust chores, not good. Other that a major case mod. I don't know what else can be done. Sony, pretty to look at but poor design looks like.

 

[crjdriver]

Have you opened the case and cleaned out all of the dust that accumlates after a while? Just cleaning can help lower temps. You can buy a can of air at any computer store; open the case [with the computer shut down] and blow out everything. As dust builds up, it can act as an insulator trapping heat in.

 

[houseworksux]

Thanks everyone

In the next few days I will take the machine apart again and give it a good cleaning. I did take some pipe cleaners and 99% rubbing alcohol to it when I was in there last time (to flick at and remove the obvious dust debris).
I did see some stuff in the fan that is attached to the power supply and removed what I could without taking the unit apart (kind of flicked at it with the pipe cleaners 'til it hopped out).
If I can take it off and clean it I will.
In the pdf file (Pages from PCVRX450_SR.pdf) it makes some mention of two fans, but I could not see anything but the one on the power supply I had to flip over to get to the RAM slots.

I will let you know where the adventure takes me.

Again, thanks
Emma

 

[~Candy~]

Hi again
from the BIOS, my readings are:
Motherboard - 37 °C (98.5 °F)
CPU - 67 °C (152.5 °F)

Emma, are these temps after the computer has been running for a couple of hours or so?

If not, check at different intervals. You may want to leave the sides off the case for now.

 

[houseworksux]

Hi AcaCandy

My machine rested overnight, and I checked the BIOS before starting the day.
these were the readings
Temperatures:
Motherboard - 30 °C (86 °F)
CPU - 62 °C (143 °F)

Usually I have the pc on for about 12 hours a day, playing & learning.
Should I keep the covers off from now on do you think?
It is only about 3 or 4 years old but I am worried about ruining it (could not afford another and this one was a gift)
I haven't gone in yet to see if I can take the fan apart to clean it (I am nervous because it is attached to the power supply)
Again, there is an odd diagram that mentions 2 fans but I have only seen one and don't know where to look for the other.
When I was in the BIOS, it had to readings for the fan speed (5075 and 2789) so that does mean there are two right?

thanks again for all of your help

Emma

 

[~Candy~]

62C is way too high for a startup temp.
I know amd chips run hotter, but I still think that's too hot.

Where did the temps come from in your first post? The 45C?

 

[Rockn]

Look in the front of the case, there may be a place to add another case fan. Sometimes the manufacturer will leave a space to add an additional case fan and there also may be an extra fan header (place to plug in a fan) on the motherboard.

 

[houseworksux]

okay AcaCandy and Rockin
I will email Sony today and see if they can identify this issue and make suggestions for another fan.
In the meantime, I guess I just have to shut it down to cool off, correct?

AcaCandy I am not sure how long I had the machine running when I checked the temps for my first post, but by the time of the post I am guessing 3 or 4 hours. I ran a program called AIDA (I found the link to it in this forum somewhere) and opened and closed big software apps to see how it was affected. As I am learning stuff like flash and how to use some of the better graphic apps I have these opened a lot, and many together.

 

[~Candy~]

Quite frankly, if it were my machine, I'd leave it off until you get better cooling, otherwise, you may be burying a cpu, motherboard, or both