Hello everyone,
Just a couple of questions, I have just built my first computer...running an AMD XP 2100, Gigabyte 7VAXP, Micron 512mb, PC2700, ...now the problems. I have one case fan, plus the retail cpu heatsink, and fan and the temperature reported by the bios is 70 C. The first question is any suggestions as to why..all fans are working, and that is the idle temp. Second, the system would not boot to bios when I set the clock to auto, but does once I set the clock to >12.5 (*133). Is this the right setting, and any ideas why it did not run when I set the clock to auto?? Any help would be much appreciated.

Firstly, are you the CPU is an XP2100+ and not a XP2000+ as the latter runs on a 12.5 multiplier. The XP2100+ runs on a multiplier of 13.

I would start off with buying some thermal paste for the die as the stock h/s only has a thermal pad on it and these do not conduct the heat away from teh die as well as thermal paste does.

Once you have some thermal paste use a credit card to remove the thermal pad from the heatsink. There are detailed instructions on how to apply thermal paste on a number of sites.

Anotehr crucial thing for reducing the CPU temperature is the speed of the CPU fan. I think the speed of the stock CPU fan is 4200RPM but I'm not 100% on this.

If it is 70ºC idle the full load temperature is likely to be in exess of 80ºC if the motherbaord sensors are giving the right information that is.

Hi, and thanks for answering. Yes, I am sure it is an XP 2100, the multiplier is set to greater then 12.5 (i.e. >12.5) not 12.5. The settings on the jumper range from5x to 12x, and then greater then 12.5, there is no 13x setting. As to the heat paste I will give it a try, I had the store I bought it from install the chip so I am afraid they may have used the thermal pad instead of paste. Is the chip hard to install, or the paste hard to apply?? Also as to the temperature problem, I get a system temp of about 30 C, but the chip temp is 70 C, is there any other way to check the chip temp??

Thanks again.

Use the thermometer... Your temp is normal for these processor used with the stock HSF
idle 70-72, load 78-80. That is what I got when I used the stock HSF.

Hi

I am in exactly the same situation as you, i have just bought an Athlon XP 2100+ and the same gigabyte HDD. I also wondered about the clock speed, but i have set it up exactly the same as you. is this right? i just checked to see what my Chip Temp is, and mine gives a reading of 57/58 C always. does anyone else know if the clock speed is right, as i am unsure.

I'm running on a 2100+ one too with retail FAN and HEATSINK plus 2 case fans one intake and one outtake, my temperature now is 85% 54C (idle), 62-63C (gaming full load). MY SYSTEM RUNS STABLY!
And as one of you have mentioned about the thermal paste. Do you think it will help to lower my CPU temperature in my case?
ANd by the way, one of you mentioned that the stock CPU fan is running at 4200RPM. Nah, it actually runs at 4963-5100 RPM (variable speed) in my case. (I bought retail AMDathlonXP2100+ with HEATSINK and FAN).
Man, i always want to get a good CPU temperature!
At the end, HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!

Don't take this wrong, but do you have your case far blowing in? There seem to be mixed opinions on how to do this, from what I have read. I am no expert, but I am sure that if you have one fan, it should blow in.

I have 1 case fan blowing in, and a ThermalTake Volcano 6Cu on a XP2000 proc. Net surfing right now with the fsb @ 133, and the bios set on turbo (Soyo...sets the memory timing settings fast, without changing the memory speed), I show 51 deg processor, and 44 deg chassis. Probably compares to idle.

You can get the volcano 6Cu for under $20.
jim f

I have a 2100, but i have a 7VRXP, and overclocking @140 (2200+) and temps range from 51C to 55 underload. I'm using a Tasoil cooler and stars termal compound(good stuff better than Artic silver). Honestly I would check to see if your bios needs flashing, and I would also check into a better cooler. I suggest tasoil good coolers! especially with the heat pipe system quite and effecient cooler.

I have the same system like your, AMD 2100+, gigabyte GA-7VAXP but i use samsung 512MB 2700 DDR. I think you should check your case power supply, Mine is 450W and I think it's pretty good for my system. I have 3 HDs and 2 DVD-roms. But at first with the AMD heatsink and fan my CPU temp was about 50 at normal running and a little bit higher with some applications running. I got a new vocalno 9 heatsink+fans and right now my CPU temp is 37C /98F at 5440 RPM but I don't really like it because the fan is too noisy. I'm going to lower its speed. BTW my CPU running at 134 FSB and the speed is 1741.39MHz my BIOS is F10 I have this system for 4 days and really love it. This mobo is so cool. But I don't have any PSDIF input to use its onboard sound. :(. Oh remember to use acrylic compound it's pretty good. Putting the new heatsink is the pain in the ass. It's too big, it took me like 20 minutes to get it done.