Recently I checked the computer fan and temperature status in the bios. I found out that the computers temperature was pretty hig (I think)(CPU 61 C and System 44 C). It also said that I had only the CPU fan running, but I checked and both fans where running. Now the questions:

1) Is my computer temperature higer that it should?

2) Is the fan not correctley plugged in or what? I attached a picture how my computer looks like. You can see that I have a empty space with holes in the back - is there supposed to be a fan there?

Tell me if you didn't understand.

Thanks.

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Originally posted by Vilkku
) Is my computer temperature higer that it should?

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Originally posted by Vilkku
Is the fan not correctley plugged in or what?

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Originally posted by Vilkku
I attached a picture how my computer looks like. You can see that I have a empty space with holes in the back - is there supposed to be a fan there?

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Originally posted by Vilkku
I found out that the computers temperature was pretty hig (I think)(CPU 61 C and System 44 C).

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Originally posted by Choil
what computer do you have? (i mean processor, etc..)

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Originally posted by Choil
maybe your bios can detect the status of only one fan, or the 2nd fan is connected in a place where the bios can detect it. Usually, the motherboards offer several places where you can connect fans. Maybe yours only detects the status of the fan in some of them, not all.

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Originally posted by Choil
yes and no. Those holes are for optional fans. You don't need to put a fan in it, however you can, if you want.

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Originally posted by Choil
that depends on what processor you have and if your programs are idle (you're doing nothing at the computer) or they're using a lot to CPU time (like you're always playing a game, or you have a program like seti@home, etc...)

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Originally posted by Choil
do any friend of you have the same (or similar) processor and motherboard as you? what is his/her temperature?

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Originally posted by Vilkku
Can the comp show a Blue Screen when it becomes too hot?

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Originally posted by Vilkku
fan program is pretty new (downloaded yesterday).

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Originally posted by Vilkku
It's a AMD Athlon XP 1500+ with a MSI motherboard. I have a GeForce 4 Ti graphics card and I use WinXP Home.

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Originally posted by Vilkku
Okey, I think that I will install a new fan then. Depends on what you answer on my question later on

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My AMD Athalon 2600+ runs at 51C idle
Much hotter than intel
And doesn't the computer shut down if it gets over a certain temp?

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Originally posted by Choil
another thing: is the program done specially for you mother board or is it a generic program? you should see the site of your motherboard and get that kind of programs form there, if they exist. if not, note that 3rd parties programs may not display the exat temperature.

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Originally posted by Choil
i think (not very sure, tho.) that 61 C is too much hot for an Athonl XP.

one last thing: maybe the problem is not with the fans but with the dissipator (<- dodgy word, i don't know how it's said in english. I mean the thing that is placed between the processor and the fan and it takes the hot off the processor. I hope you get me: for example in the next image you see the fan and below it's that thing:
)

Well, now that you already know about what i'm talking... :
maybe that thing isn't big enough for your precessor and maybe you should buy other that is bigger and/or more powerful

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Originally posted by Vilkku
Okey, I think that I will install a new fan then. Depends on what you answer on my question later on

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you can install it, but i don't think it'll decrease a lot the temperature. fans placed there are to decrease a bit the global temperature inside the computer. I think that your problem has to do with the processor and if i was you, I'd buy a new fan with a new "thing" in the first place. Then I'd think about putting a fan there

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It never hurts to have a bigger "thing".

Also known as heatsinks. They come in all shapes and sizes. The copper ones are very good, but are heavy and normally expensive.

Try to look for a heatsink with an 80mm fan. It will be able to blow more air over the heatsink without being too loud. Noise is a very big issue when it comes to heatsinks and fans

You could put a fan at the back of your case to expel the hot air coming off the processor. But you need to remember that air in = air out. The secret to cooling is good airflow. Even tidying all the cables inside so that air flows easily can make a few degrees of difference. Beware: you can spend a fortune keeping things cool.

If you have high temps, but don't have any stability issues, then there isn't a great deal to worry about. If you are getting lockups, or BSODs, then it could be a heat issue. It might just be that your heatsink isn't seated correctly, and needs to be refitted with some fresh thermal transfer paste.

As Choli said, sometime these temperatures are not always totally accurate. Even so, 61°C for an idle Athlon XP does seem a bit hot

I forgot one thing: The fan is in the "power box" inside the computer, is this normal or should there also be a fan that blows air directley into the "big room"?

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Originally posted by Jeronimo
Try to look for a heatsink with an 80mm fan. It will be able to blow more air over the heatsink without being too loud. Noise is a very big issue when it comes to heatsinks and fans

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Originally posted by Black_Forky
And doesn't the computer shut down if it gets over a certain temp?

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Originally posted by Vilkku
Yep, downloaded it from the MSI homepage, it's called PCAlert 4. It also shows voltage. Don't know if it's made just for my model but I tired anohter one (from the MSI homepage too) that said that it didn't support that model so I suppose this program does.

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Originally posted by Vilkku
Ok, I'll talk with the ppl at the trusty computer shop when I go upgrade the computer sometime in the near future.

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Originally posted by Vilkku
Btw, I have pretty much dust on the sissipatorwhatever, chould that cause the overheating?

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Originally posted by Jeronimo
It might just be that your heatsink isn't seated correctly, and needs to be refitted with some fresh thermal transfer paste.

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Originally posted by Jeronimo
It never hurts to have a bigger "thing".

Also known as heatsinks.

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Originally posted by Vilkku
I forgot one thing: The fan is in the "power box" inside the computer, is this normal or should there also be a fan that blows air directley into the "big room"?

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Okey, thanks all. I'm not too good with the hardware-part of computers so I have to remember to tell the guys at the computer store to check the heatsink too (mabye get a new one). Once again, thanks for your help.

Watercooling
saw a three foot radiator once

I had a liquid system... That started to drop over my GF3Ti, the bios and, obviously the CPU. It got to 84ºC (That was the lsat time I could see the temp./volt. stats in during the POST. After that it died .

Now I have a 2800+ with the bundled fan (recommended by AMD) and now it's doing fine... 43ºC, is the maximum temp I've got.

Btw, the sticky thing under the dissipator (blah, dodgy word ) should be concentrated over the central chip of the porcessor, don't manipulate it too much since it's very stycky and expands easily.

A good contact may improve a lot your fans effectivity.

I have to make a list on what to do when I get the computer to the store:
-Upgrade stuff
-Check the cooling (and upgrade)
-Make them plug in my USB ports on the front side of the computer that aren't plugged in (if I don't do it myself)
-Check why it will only show RPM of one fan
To be continiued...

There are a coupla things that you can do yourself that might help keep your chip cooler (as opposed to buying a new fan and heatsink, or even a whole new case). Someone mentioned airflow before and thats a great place to start.
Basically tidy up the inside of your case, tie the cables into individual bundles to keep things really neat, u can use 'cable clips' (don't know what they're called but they're little plastic strips that loop in on themselves and tighten) or you could tape them together. Its also possible to do this with the cables that link the CD-ROMs and the Hard Drive to the motherboard, but this gets pretty dangerous since it involves cutting along the length of the cable. After your done, arrange the cables in a way that they're not in the way of the fans. This should improve the general airflow inside the case.
Another thing you could try is to replace that sticky stuff on the bottom of the heatsink with something better, i've used Arctic Silver and that stuff is quite good. It cost about AUS$12 and u can usually buy it at computer swap meets. Once u get the stuff clean the old goop from the bottom of your heatsink and the top of the chip carefully (really really carefully lol) with nailpolish remover on the end of a cotton bud, dry any excess liquid and apply the Arctic Silver in a half mm think layer on both the heatsink and the surface of the chip. Then replace the parts and your good to go. Because the surface of the heatsink and the chip aren't perfectly level the goop fills out the gaps and helps transfer the heat from the chip to the heatsink, better qualilty goop means better transfer of heat.
Adding fans to the case is also a good idea and its been mentioned before. And about the RPM display, it might be that your fan doesn't support it. Most case fans only have the 2 wires that supply the power. Also check that your Chip isn't overclocked and running at the correct voltage, u can usually do this in the BIOS and the manufacturers' webbies will have the correct voltages. Thats about all i can think of that doesn't involve buying a really really big fan and heatsink (lolz, i got one.. but my comps overclocked a little). If you do decide to get one, theyre generally about AUS$50 and if u want optimum cooling and don't care about noise.. look for the Thermaltake Volcano 12.. it big.. loud and i can almost garuntee that it'll drop your heat by at least 10 deg.