My CPU (AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4200+)sometimes exceeds 50 degrees Celsius. Is this too hot?

Question

If it is too hot, how can I cool it down without taking my CPU apart or altering the room temperature?

Answer 1

its alright, but a little high. is 50C with 100% load? if so then dont worry. your CPU is desigend to operate upto 70C before shut down. if you are worried put an after market cooler on. I use this one.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.as...

DO NOT FORGET TO PUT ON NEW THERMAL GREASE

EDIT

no thermal grease= fried CPU

arctic silver 5 is about $10...

EDIT

with a stock cooler thats fine, theres nothing to worry about. my 5200+ ran around there and the cooler dropped it to 30C idle and 40C load. in the winter I actually got it down to 17C.

EDIT

good news, if you can put in an add on card you can change the cooler.

bad news, you have to disconnect everything and remove the motherboard.

remove the board.

unclip the old cooler and gently remove it from the CPU. dont twist it or yank on it or try prying it off. it will come off when its ready.

get out the Q-tips and a bottle of rubbing alcohol and clean off all the old grease from the CPU chip even from the sides.

apply a small dot of new grease, about the size of half a pea and spread it out evenly. there are scrapers and spreaders available but honestly i just use a very clean finger.

if you go with the cooler I use you have to remove the back plate and install theirs.

s***w the new cooler on but do not over tighten.

plug in the CPU power connector, remoune the board, and reconnect everything.

thats it.

Answer 2

try this: http://forums.amd.com/forum/messageview....

my feeling says you are looking at the wrong temperature. 50-60C is normal for Tjunction, while it is low for GPU.

Dual cores rarely go over 50C unless overclocked, and if they do, they can handle higher temperatures.

Answer 3

Umm... There is no way to cool it down, you have to actually open it up and install better cooling systems. Altering the room temperature would do nothing anyway.