CPU Temperature
How do I know if my computer is too hot, what is the right temperature?
Having a major motherboard/cpu break down recently due to heat, I can give good advice for this. You do not want your PC CPU to get above 70 C. Now it will often when doing processor intensive tasks, but you don't want this for prolonged periods of time. Of course, each CPU has its own temp gauge and you need to read its manual to be positive of its redline and optimum temps. For Celeron -D's, they idle around 44C and go red around 70C and stop at 93C, that is, break down and die.
70 is a lot to me. I regularly check my CPU monitor and it averages around 48C and nothing more. I am using an AMD 2200. That temperature is with a heat sink, CPU fan and an extra fan pulling hot air out of the machine. I was thinking of getting an extra fan to pull in external air faster, but I was not sure if it would make a difference.
Mine idles between 42 and 48C but when I encode movies my cpu temp hovers around 70C which right at the redline for acceptable limits. I have a new cpu heat sink and fan coming because mine is old, so it may be better after that. But you are right, you don't want it at 70C all the time, most things shouldn't bring it above 50C, which mine doesn't.
I saw you mention celeron, is that the processor you are using? I wonder if having dual core processors lessens the heat for each individual CPU or do they take on tasks the same for a particular moment? If so, then that means a machine can be twice as hot.
Usually there is software for the motherboard that allows you to monitor your CPU temperature and case temperature. Mine was on the driver/software disc for my motherboard.
JB, something else I just realized, I forgot to put the cooling gel between the CPU and the heat sink. I think that is causing higher temperatures for my processor when it processes.
FarSeer, older systems do not have a hardware temperature gauge, however, if your machine does it will be available first through the bios (but be careful what you do there). To access this start your machine and keep pressing the F8 key until you get a screen with options.
Konquererz, its time to get the gel out before it get's too hot! (yikes that sounds like something out of an adult ad).