[PLUG] How hot is a really hot? Dual Athlon MP on Linux

[John]

On Thu, Apr 11, 2002 at 02:54:37PM -0700, Alex Daniloff wrote:
> Hello Lunux folkz,
> Recently I've assembled Web, DB and file Linux server on Tyan Tiger
> SMP2460 MB with two AMD Athlon 1500 MP CPUs.
> The BIOS has a nice feature to measure CPU core temperatures in C.
> Initially I used Thermaltake 6cu+ aluminum heatsinks with the copper
> inserts. I used Dough Corning white silicone heat sink paste.
> Idling CPU temperatures measured through the BIOS were at 35 and 36 C
> on CPU0 and CPU1. It's good but heat sink fans sounded like a jet on
> take off.

I just built an athlon 1700 system, & got the same noisy fan, then
replaced it with the Volcano 7 which varies from 3200-4400 rpms
depending on cpu temp.  Much quieter now.  I think the Volcano 6 runs at
7200 rpm, which is why it was so noisy.

> I changed these heatsinks on Millennium Glaciator I (not II) pure
> copper heatsinks with built in fans.
> They came with Cooling Flow heatsink compound. 
> The server became very quiet but the idling CPU temperatures raised to
> 40 C on the both CPUs.

With the volcano 6, my idle speed was 36, now it's 37-38 with the
volcano 7.

> I can't take measurements directly from from CPUs only through the
> BIOS and onboard sensors.

Install lm-sensors.  KDE has an applet sitting in the taskbar, giving me
continous reads of the cpu temp & mb temp.
I got the cpu temp up to 42 when running xawtv (watching tv) & compiling
an application at the same time.


> Could somebody tell me please if this temperature at 40 C is normal on
> idling AMD Athlon 1500 MP CPUs, or it's a little bit to much?
> Shold I change heat sink paste, fans or just live it like it is?

I'm no expert, but from what I've read, 40 is ok, I've got lm-sensors to
spring an alarm at 50.

John
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