I am using Pentium D 820, 2.8Ghz around 2 years. I recently re put the new thermal paste, brand is cooler master thermal fusion 400. My MSI CoreCenter keep reading the cpu temperature at around 50 degree, so does my bios. Is the Pentium D really that hot?

I did cover the cpu full with thermal paste, so does alittle on the intel heatsink.
But it still that hot, is that right?

This post has been edited by friss: Dec 9 2008, 09:38 AM

You do not say whether the temperature of 50°C is at idle or under load. This temperature would be high at idle, but low at full load.

Also, from what you write, i get the impression that you have spread the paste quite liberally. The object is not to have paste between the metal surfaces, but to have paste in the microscopically small pores in what looks, to the eye, to be smooth surfaces. The object is to force the paste into the pores, replacing the air in these gaps. It is a common mistake to spread paste as if spreading butter thickly on a slice of bread. Too much paste is bad.

Erm, that mean that clean up this paste and just put the new paste. Not spread like butter rather just place a dot (not a small dot of course) on the middle of the processor?

You can usually tell where the CPU sits on the heatsink, just place a small amount on the area where the CPU sits and you shall not have any problems. Sounds like to me you are being paranoid about your CPU overheating I would say you have nothing to worry about. Keep in mind that your computer will automatically switch off if it gets to hot. If it does that, then you know you have a problem.

I replace the paste already. My computer idle temperature @ 50 degree. I if play NFS Undercover, it will rise up to 65 degree. Grrr. Is that Pentium D meant to be that hot?

A temperature of 65°C is nothing to worry about for a Pentium D under full load. As Rogue said, the processor will throttle down if the temperature really does become too high. You might not even notice the drop in speed. If the temperature really does become dangerous, your computer will shut down.

The idle temp of your CPU depends on three things - the contact between the CPU and your heatsink, the quality of your heatsink/fan and the air flow in the case. Why did you make your original post? Have you had reduced speed or shutdown problems that you suspected were caused by heat, or did you just look up the reported CPU temperature out of curiosity?

You might care to read this .