configuration:
xp2500
MSI K7N2G
512mb ddr PC3200
ti4200
audigy 2
80gb 7200rpm 8mbCache
Win XP pro

I recently upgraded from xp2400 for $7 and I received a retail xp2500. Instead of using AMD's thermal tape, I used artic silver to install my cpu. In BIOS, the temp reading was 42C (the same as xp2400) but a week later, the temp read 38C. does it take time for the A.S. paste to kick in? I'm not complaining.

Anyhow, I oc'd the cpu to 2.08 (FSB 174 x 12 from 166 x 11). Computer ran fine and I went in to BIOS to see how much the temp had gone up and to my bewilderment...the temp was reading 28C. Possible? maybe my mboard got whacky? I rebooted several times to check the temp again and still showed 28C.
This stayed for a couple of weeks until the blackout we had recently.

After the power was restored...I check my computer to make sure nothing was fried and to my surprise, the temp was now reading at 38-39C. Everything still works perfectly but I'm a little stumped as to why the temp in BIOS originally read 28C after oc'ing and after the blackout it's reading at 39C.

Any thoughts?

Your CPU temps can change as the thermal compound "sets". I switched from the stock cooler to a Thermaltake 11+ a few weeks ago, and I used Artic Silvers new Ceramic compound and at first boot, I was at 46~C, but over the next 10 or so hours, it was crazy changing form 48~C to 29~C every few hours. After about 3 days, it settled in at 31~C, and has stayed there changing maybe a degree or so depending on room temps.

thanks. but any explanation for the temp going down to 28C (it stayed at this temp for a couple of weeks) and going back up to 38C after we had our blackout?

Everything is working perfectly and i'm not complaining but I'm a little stumped as to why this would happen.

thanks again

My Guess is that because you used artic silver instead of the tape, it has a harder time recognizing the temp - as it is motherboard temperature readings are often unaccurate (few degrees out) and its probably just reading different because it wasn't made for arctic silver...(?)

huh?? I can understand +/- couple of degrees but there was 10C change down after oc'ing. And I always thought that the most accurate reading of the temp was from BIOS. I also have PC Alert 4 from MSI and that too had the same readings. Is there a better way to read the temps?

Oh well...I'll leave it as an abberration instead of trying to understand.

thanks