Hello,
I have a ASUS A7N8X Deluxe mobo with an Athlon XP 2600. I've got a 
heatsink and fan on the CPU, and a couple more fans in the case. What's 
a safe operating temperature for this set-up? I've been running the ASUS 
  PC Probe software under Win 98, which monitors the CPU and motherboard 
temps. My CPU seems to level off around 38-40�C, and the mobo around 
30-32�C. Is this too hot? Should I think about adding another fan to the 
case. I've got room for one more, but I hate to make the thing any more 
noisy if I don't really need to.

Also, is it possible to monitor the temps, fan speeds, etc. from Linux?

Thanks
Jeff.

Jeff Henry wrote:
> 
> Hello,
> I have a ASUS A7N8X Deluxe mobo with an Athlon XP 2600. I've got a
> heatsink and fan on the CPU, and a couple more fans in the case. What's
> a safe operating temperature for this set-up? I've been running the ASUS
>   PC Probe software under Win 98, which monitors the CPU and motherboard
> temps. My CPU seems to level off around 38-40�C, and the mobo around
> 30-32�C. Is this too hot? Should I think about adding another fan to the
> case. I've got room for one more, but I hate to make the thing any more
> noisy if I don't really need to.

That seems quite reasonable for the system.  Maximum safe temperature
varies by CPU so check with AMD for specs on your processor, but
generally 70-75 degrees is threshold for "too hot" (at least for Intel
chips).  To be on the safe side, anything over 60 degrees should cause
concern.
 
> Also, is it possible to monitor the temps, fan speeds, etc. from Linux?

Download and install lm-sensors (http://www.lm-sensors.nu/ or your
distro probably provides ready-made packages).

On Mon, 30 Jun 2003 13:11:20 -0400, Jeff Henry staggered into the Black
Sun and said:
> I have a ASUS A7N8X Deluxe mobo with an Athlon XP 2600.  My CPU seems
> to level off around 38-40�C, and the mobo around 30-32�C.
> Is this too hot?

No, it's just about right.  Cooler is better, but 40 C is fine for an
Athlon.

> Also, is it possible to monitor the temps, fan speeds, etc. from Linux?

"emerge lm_sensors" or "apt-get install lm_sensors" or look on your
distro CDs for the lm_sensors package or Google for "lm_sensors".
Install the package (or compile it first, then install.)  Run
sensors-detect as root, then do what it says.  Then all you should have
to do is run "sensors" at any time to get a detailed report of all the
temperatures your board can sense.  There are GUI frontends for
lm_sensors somewhere, but I've never used them.  HTH,

-- 
Matt G|There is no Darkness in Eternity/But only Light too dim for us to see
Brainbench MVP for Linux Admin / 
http://www.brainbench.com     /  "He is a rhythmic movement of the
-----------------------------/    penguins, is Tux." --MegaHAL

"Jeff Henry" <jhenry19@nospam.nospam> wrote in message
news:bdpqvo$cm211@eccws12.dearborn.ford.com...
> Hello,
> I have a ASUS A7N8X Deluxe mobo with an Athlon XP 2600. I've got a
> heatsink and fan on the CPU, and a couple more fans in the case. What's
> a safe operating temperature for this set-up? I've been running the ASUS
>   PC Probe software under Win 98, which monitors the CPU and motherboard
> temps. My CPU seems to level off around 38-40�C, and the mobo around
> 30-32�C. Is this too hot? Should I think about adding another fan to the
> case. I've got room for one more, but I hate to make the thing any more
> noisy if I don't really need to.

My XP is close to 60�C under load, so I guess you have a cool system.

>
> Also, is it possible to monitor the temps, fan speeds, etc. from Linux?

Yes, very much so.

http://secure.netroedge.com/~lm78/

And for Windows I recommend

http://mbm.livewiredev.com

Much better than anything else.

/M

These temsp are not a problem. Basically it doesn't really matter how hot
your system gets if it runs stable. Some people say that running hot will
shorten the life time of the components, others say it doesn't. I have a
2700+ on the same mobo in a Aliminium case with 4 input fans and 2
extraction fans. I typically run a little hotter than you depending on
ambient temperature and how far I've overclocked it.

But - if it's stable then don't worry. 

BTW, if noise is an issue then get a fan controller. I have one of the nexus
units (around $70Aus - $30us ?) and it works a treat - looks cool too.

As far as monitoring from Linux goes, I haven't done it as yet, however I
seem to remember seeing some stuff on it. Remember: the web is your friend
;-) go google it.

Jeff Henry wrote:

> Hello,
> I have a ASUS A7N8X Deluxe mobo with an Athlon XP 2600. I've got a
> heatsink and fan on the CPU, and a couple more fans in the case. What's
> a safe operating temperature for this set-up? I've been running the ASUS
>   PC Probe software under Win 98, which monitors the CPU and motherboard
> temps. My CPU seems to level off around 38-40°C, and the mobo around
> 30-32°C. Is this too hot? Should I think about adding another fan to the
> case. I've got room for one more, but I hate to make the thing any more
> noisy if I don't really need to.
> 
> Also, is it possible to monitor the temps, fan speeds, etc. from Linux?
> 
> Thanks
> Jeff.

John-Paul Stewart <jpstewart@sympatico.ca> writes:

> > Also, is it possible to monitor the temps, fan speeds, etc. from Linux?
> 
> Download and install lm-sensors (http://www.lm-sensors.nu/ or your
> distro probably provides ready-made packages).

With lm_sensors you can monitor _something_, but how to interpret the
temperatures you get is another thing. The "real" (e.g. CPU core)
temperatures depend on the location of the temperature sensor, the
exact type of the sensor etc.

As only the motherboard manufacturer has the calibration information
for the sensors and the information about the thermal requirements of
the board and processor, you'd need a configuration file for
lm_sensors from the motherboard manufacturer so that lm_sensors would
make sense.

Examples:

soma:~ # sensors
w83782d-i2c-0-2d
Adapter: SMBus AMD756 adapter at 50e0
Algorithm: Non-I2C SMBus adapter
VCore 1:   +1.63 V  (min =  +1.52 V, max =  +1.68 V)
VCore 2:   +3.36 V  (min =  +1.52 V, max =  +1.68 V)
+3.3V:     +3.42 V  (min =  +2.96 V, max =  +3.63 V)
+5V:       +5.04 V  (min =  +4.72 V, max =  +5.24 V)
+12V:     +12.31 V  (min = +10.79 V, max = +13.19 V)
-12V:     -12.13 V  (min = -13.21 V, max = -10.90 V)
-5V:       -5.42 V  (min =  -5.26 V, max =  -4.76 V)
V5SB:      +5.12 V  (min =  +4.72 V, max =  +5.24 V)              (beep)
VBat:      +3.31 V  (min =  +2.40 V, max =  +3.60 V)              (beep)
fan2:     4470 RPM  (min = 3000 RPM, div = 2)
fan3:     4963 RPM  (min = 3013 RPM, div = 8)
temp1:       +45�C  (limit =  +46�C, hysteresis =  +41�C) sensor = thermistor
temp2:     +49.5�C  (limit =  +51�C, hysteresis =  +46�C) sensor = thermistor   ALARM
temp3:     +38.5�C  (limit =  +46�C, hysteresis =  +41�C) sensor = thermistor
vid:      +1.600 V

cell3:~ # sensors
w83627hf-i2c-0-2c
Adapter: SMBus AMD768 adapter at 80e0
Algorithm: Non-I2C SMBus adapter
VCore 1:   +1.72 V  (min =  +1.48 V, max =  +1.93 V)
VCore 2:   +1.74 V  (min =  +1.48 V, max =  +1.93 V)
+3.3V:     +3.36 V  (min =  +3.13 V, max =  +3.45 V)
+5V:       +4.97 V  (min =  +4.72 V, max =  +5.24 V)
+12V:      +9.46 V  (min = +10.79 V, max = +13.19 V)
-12V:     -12.13 V  (min = -13.21 V, max = -10.90 V)
-5V:       +0.11 V  (min =  -5.26 V, max =  -4.76 V)
V5SB:      +5.56 V  (min =  +4.72 V, max =  +5.24 V)
VBat:      +3.29 V  (min =  +2.40 V, max =  +3.60 V)
fan1:     5672 RPM  (min = 3000 RPM, div = 2)
fan2:     5973 RPM  (min = 3000 RPM, div = 2)
fan3:        0 RPM  (min = 3000 RPM, div = 2)
temp1:       +77�C  (limit =  +85�C, hysteresis =  +80�C) sensor = thermistor
temp2:     +76.5�C  (limit =  +85�C, hysteresis =  +80�C) sensor = thermistor
temp3:     +76.0�C  (limit =  +85�C, hysteresis =  +80�C) sensor = thermistor
vid:      +1.850 V

axon:~ # sensors
w83781d-isa-0290
Adapter: ISA adapter
Algorithm: ISA algorithm
VCore 1:   +2.08 V  (min =  +1.90 V, max =  +2.09 V)
VCore 2:   +2.04 V  (min =  +1.90 V, max =  +2.09 V)
+3.3V:     +3.47 V  (min =  +3.13 V, max =  +3.63 V)
+5V:       +5.04 V  (min =  +4.72 V, max =  +5.24 V)
+12V:     +11.97 V  (min = +11.36 V, max = +12.58 V)
-12V:     -12.00 V  (min = -12.55 V, max = -11.33 V)
-5V:       -5.10 V  (min =  -5.24 V, max =  -4.74 V)
fan2:     5000 RPM  (min = 3000 RPM, div = 2)
temp1:       +33�C  (limit =  +60�C)
temp2:     +41.0�C  (limit =  +60�C, hysteresis =  +50�C)
temp3:     +39.0�C  (limit =  +60�C, hysteresis =  +50�C)
vid:      +2.000 V
alarms:
beep_enable:
          Sound alarm disabled

Now, what temperature means what? Case temperature, CPU core
temperature?  

What limits should you set?  

How hot is too hot?

I suspect the (absolute) temperatures displayed by lm_sensors depend
more on the motherboard than on actual physical temperatures at
well-defined places.


Moritz


-- 
Dipl.-Phys. Moritz Franosch
http://Franosch.org

Derek Clarkson wrote:
> These temsp are not a problem. Basically it doesn't really matter how hot
> your system gets if it runs stable. Some people say that running hot will
> shorten the life time of the components, others say it doesn't. I have a
> 2700+ on the same mobo in a Aliminium case with 4 input fans and 2
> extraction fans. I typically run a little hotter than you depending on
> ambient temperature and how far I've overclocked it.
> 
> But - if it's stable then don't worry. 
> 
> BTW, if noise is an issue then get a fan controller. I have one of the nexus
> units (around $70Aus - $30us ?) and it works a treat - looks cool too.
> 
> As far as monitoring from Linux goes, I haven't done it as yet, however I
> seem to remember seeing some stuff on it. Remember: the web is your friend
> ;-) go google it.
> 

Thanks to all who responded. Sounds like I'm in good shape, tempurature 
wise. Guess it's time to try overclocking it, eh?

I'll check out lm-sensors when I get a chance.

> Also, is it possible to monitor the temps, fan speeds, etc. from Linux?

You can monitor your disks with smartmontools,
http://smartmontools.sourceforge.net

Cheers....

-- 
Unless otherwise noted, the statements herein reflect my personal
opinions and not those of any organization with which I may be affiliated.