A Repeat question about CPU Temps

[RyanbATC]

You have an 80 mm case fan I'm assuming? I figure since your system isn't massive, but two case fans (noise permitting) is, IMHO, better than one.

[Crodge]

You shouldn’t have any problems with 70°C.

It is repetitive temperature cycling that kills processors, achieved through accelerated life testing. The processor sitting in your computer will have probably gone through a stress screening process at the factory. It may well see repetitive temperatures cycles in excess of 100°C after manufacturing, to screen for any defects.

I was running a two processor PII 400 MHz for six years; I never had any problems with it. There were numerous times when the cores crept into the mid-high 60°C region. This was when the ambient room temperature was approaching 30°C.

Generally speaking, maximum junction temperatures for silicon active components must not exceed 110°C. It is a little different for missiles; they are rated as high as 140°C. (Not that you would want to be strapping your PC to an AMRAAM missile)

But, I’m going to offer you a word of caution…

I built an AMD FX-53 last week and running at a stock 2.4GHz. It runs at a quite comfortable 43°C under heavy loading FS2004 conditions. After a few days, I thought I would be adventurous and increase the clock speed to a quite stable 2.85GHz, I raised the core voltage up to around 1.65 volts and altered the FSB frequencies and it sent the core temperatures up to 65°C with an external forced air water cooler.

I soon discovered a strange phenomenon called processor chatter. The processor was chattering when there was any sort of activity on the data bus. It still functioned as normal; it was stable under Windows XP. I was, and still am mystified to what it was. Whether the removal of a fan from the processor allows you to actively hear the processor doing its thing, I’m not sure. It certainly didn’t do it straight from the box when I built the machine.

Needless to say, I’ve backed it back down to 2.4GHz now, frightened it was a warning sign of an impending AMD BBQ in my case.

I suggest putting an 80mm fan into your case to intake ambient air inside; it doesn’t hurt to make every effort to bring the internal temperatures down. Running at 65°C to 70°C is to quote someone who I used to work with “…I’m not happy with it, but I’m comfortable…”

[haparnold]

I checked AMD's site and found their parameters for operating temps.
No problem yet however I notice that the MB from MSI has an Phoenix/Award BIOS with a "CPU TEMP" shutdown and a CPU warning alarm that have a highest selectable value of 75 degrees C.
An old Duron @ 700 Mhz ran consistently at 45 - 55 degrees C, however I upgraded to the MSI MB and an Athlon XP 2200 @ 1.8 Ghz retail with "AMD approved" fan. It runs about 55 - 68 degrees C.
Now for the patient ones, Is 60 degrees general temp C and running up to 70 C anything to be concerned with? For longevity of the CPU?
I really REALLY like this system and do any of you kind folks think I should add a system fan, would that help? Or am I just worrying about nothing?
FYI I am running two HDs, a CD/RW and a DVD Rom drive with a ATI 9000 non sapphire agp card (with a user installed fan on the video chip/card) in a full tower case with 350W P/S.
I overclock nothing,
However even the book for the MB details how to do so.
Haven't had any problems of any sort, but it nags me about the nearness of the upper level of BIOS alarm values and the under load temps.
Thanks in Advance
Hap:)
EDITTED for left out detail of system

[haparnold]

I will act on this advise to get another system fan. It can hurt nothing. Cheap insurance sort of.
And a water forced air CPU setup intrigues me too. Again cheap insurance and comfort level for me.
Seems somewhere I read that heat, vibration and dirt are the enemies of PCs.
I kindly thank all input and any to follow.
It figured that this forum would be the place to ask as so many are intimately involved in more technical aspects of computing that I.
Maybe I'll try oc'ing after I get the temps down to what the Duron was running.
Thanks to both you gentlemen and any others that reply in advance.
Hap