SPCR

I built my first PCs this weekend, based in large part on the reviews and opinions gathered on SPCR and its forum.

The components for the builds are identical, save for the cases:

NSK3480 / NSK2480
ASUS P5N7A-VM
Intel E5200
Scythe Ninja Mini (Passive)
Arctic Cooling MX-2
Scythe Slip Stream SY1225SL12M (@900RPM)
WD Scorpio Blue 320GB
Corsair 2x1GB DDR800 TWIN2X2048-6400C4

My trouble is with the reported core temps of the CPUs. In the NSK2480 build, my core0 and core1 temps idle at 41-43C, ramping up to 50-54C under full load. In the NSK3480 build, the core0 is also at 41-43C idle, 50-54C load, but the core1 is at 48-50C idle, and up to 60C load.

The temps were taken with RealTemp (SpeedFan temps are up to 10C higher), load produced with CPUBurn and prime95.

I'm hoping for some insight on the following points

• 50C load is fine, but isn't 42C idle a bit high? Moreover, at idle, the minjas are cold ... isn't that incoherent with the 42C of the cores?
• Should I be worried about the uneven core temps in the 2nd build? (A reinstall of the minja didn't change the readings.)

The 2480 build is destined to become an always-on HTPC. I find the included power supply far too noisy for that purpose. I'm planning to replace it with a PicoPSU, or something of the sort, but really need to get these temp issues settled before moving to silencing.

Hello & welcome to SPCR,

No, 42C is fine for idle -- it's the load that really matters, and 50-54 is very good.

The one cor reading high is just that, I'm guessing -- it's sensor is not calibrated accurately, maybe? The temp readings are really not important -- if the machine(s) are stable -- and quiet enough, then that's what really matters.

Thanks, that's good to hear.

If I find a little time tomorrow, I'm going to switch the heatsinks between PCs, just to make sure one of them isn't screwy.