I just put together a new system with Intel Pentium Prescott 3.0E 800MHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache with 2GB Ram, in a Antec SLK1650 (350W PSU) with 1 air duct and 120mm fan. MB is Asus P4P800S-X. I checked the CPU temp and it was 90C!!! I almost fell over my chair, the computer is running fine, but its way too hot, and the MB temp is 25C. I dont understand why its so much higher than normal, the intel site says 69.1C. I am going to install the front 80mm fan, but would that decrease the temp to 69C? I just bought everything so dont want to have to upgrade the PSU unless I have to. Thanks for the help.

The Prescott has known high temperature issues (notice I didn't say "overheating issues")...and some boards make it appear worse by over-reporting the CPU temp. Before going into panic mode, do some googling to see if the P4P800S-X is one of them. Also, make sure your HSF is installed correctly. Where are you getting your temps from? the BIOS? AsusProbe? another software monitoring program?

http://www.asus.com/products/mb/socket478/p4p800s-x/overview.htm

The PSU that comes with the Antec SLK1650 case is the SL350. It "should" be OK...it has the minimum recommended amperage (16A) of the +12v rail, but it depends on how many +12v devices you have installed.

http://www.antec.com/specs/solu_slk1650_spe.html#

Asus A7N8X-X
1800+ @ 8.5 x 200MHz
768MB PC3200
Asus A9550 128MB/128-bit
Gamer Edition
WinME/WinXP Pro

I got the temperature from the BIOS, but I already just read about Everest Home Edition, so I'll try it when I get home. I'll research how P4P800S-X reports the CPU temperature. The HSF was tricky to install, i bought the retail box with HSF (prob aluminum), thought there would be a plastic cover over the thermal pad, but there was nothing there, so clipped it on. there were 2 levers on the side but didnt use it, maybe its not locked on tight? not overclocking, have 1 200GB HD, and 1 DVD-R/RW and 1 CD/DVD drive. Thanks!

Try using Asus PC Probe to monitor your temps. It should be on a CD that came with your board, if not, download it from Asus. Also, it's normal for the temps in the BIOS to differ from those in Windows - usually they'll be higher.

http://support.asus.com/faq/faq.aspx?SLanguage=en-us&model=P4P800S-X

You may wanna look at this HSF installation...click on #9 "Installing the 478-Pin Pentium 4 CPU":

http://www.directron.com/p4install.html#p4install

Asus A7N8X-X
1800+ @ 8.5 x 200MHz
768MB PC3200
Asus A9550 128MB/128-bit
Gamer Edition
WinME/WinXP Pro

I have an Intel P4 2.6 Northwood in my PC. The stock HSF was a little difficult to install, and I ended up buying and installing a 3rd party HSF (but that's another story). The stock HSF should be fine, but if you didn't lock it in place with the levers, then it's really not installed properly - may not be locked on tightly, as you observed.

did you say you did or did not use the thermal pad? either way, scrape that junk and use some arctic silver. in fact, scrap the stock HSF and get something better. intel's stock HSFs are crap.

Intel's stock heatsink is a well engineered piece of machinery. Dont exchange it, only if you intend to go H2O!! my 4ghz prescott droped 8 degress right after applying artic silver 5, (these guys have made thermal transfer a science), then droped 11 degrees after 8 days (cause artic silver works in three tremal phases) or 200 hrs of use. Save your money and do not buy another hsf, or save a little more and buy a mini water kit, they are only about $80 now.

abit is7 i856pe
Prescott 2.8ghz @ 4004Mhz 286x14
FSB @ 1144Mhz
512x2 in dual config @ 430mhz
9800 se unlocked & clocked @ 444mhz/800mhz

Intel's HSF are supposedly very good...don't waste your money on a replacement HSF or on water cooling. All you have to do is install the stock HSF correctly & make sure your case cooling scheme is adequate & you'll be fine.

There's nothing wrong with using the thermal pad for the initial installation...as a matter of fact, you should use it. But once the HSF is removed, the pad will be destroyed & paste will have to be used. Personally, I don't recommend Arctic Silver...it's conductive, overpriced, & overhyped. Silicone paste is much cheaper, works almost as well, & is non-conductive.

Asus A7N8X-X
1800+ @ 8.5 x 200MHz
768MB PC3200
Asus A9550 128MB/128-bit
Gamer Edition
WinME/WinXP Pro

Correction, Arctic Silver 5 is no longer conductive, and if i had a choice to use copper or aluminum I'd use copper. Its a fact, that some martarials have better thermal conductivity properties then others, this principle applies to paste aswell, but its up to the individual spending the cash to justify if its worth the investment.

What I would recommend for you to do, for a quick fix is to run down to radio shack and pick up some HeatSink Silicone paste for about $1.00 then reinstall your HSF, only after reading this.

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions_big2.htm

(note: even if your certain on how to apply paste, these instructions will give you great tips on how to do it even better)

abit is7 i856pe
Prescott 2.8ghz @ 4004Mhz 286x14
FSB @ 1144Mhz
512x2 in dual config @ 430mhz
9800 se unlocked & clocked @ 444mhz/800mhz