temperature - Is 53°C too hot for an Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 CPU @ 3.00GHz?

23
2013-08
  • Sean Carruthers

    I'm using Piriform Speccy and it's saying that my Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 @ 3.00GHz CPU is running at 53 degrees Celsius... and that is at 50% load. Is it just me, or does that seem to be a bit high?

    Is this a sign I need to reapply thermal paste (it's been 2 years since I've built it, and I have never reapplied thermal paste), or check airflow in the case?

    I'm wondering if my case in general is a bit too hit, as I lag when gaming, and my mouse cuts in and out (it will stop working for 2-3 seconds here and there).

    • Answers
  • RedGrittyBrick

    No, 53°C is not too hot.

    pantherproducts

    Intel Core 2 Duo (Wolfdale) 72.4°C

    Intel

    Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E8400 Tc Max = 5° C to 72.4° C

    CPU World

    Minimum/Maximum operating temperature (°C) ? 5 - 72.4


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  • Nifle

    Some background.
    I'm having problems with my computer suddenly shutting down and then refusing to start unless I wait awhile. So I'm assuming it's a temperature problem.

    I installed SpedFan and it showed System 48C and CPU 50C it shut down again shortly after. I have since the removed the side of my computer for better airflow.

    I have an Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 3.16GHz with a stock fan
    I'd like to know the ranges it should feel comfortable in.

    Celsius please.
    (And please do include some references/links)

    EDIT:
    Thanks for all the answers. As the cpu-temp wasn't the problem I started poking about a bit more inside my computer and touched something very hot. My new suspect (as someone noted) is the PSU is to blame. I cant feel any exhaust in the back of it (it has a 120mm fan) and i put a thermometer on it for a few minutes and it was 54C on the outside.

    EDIT2: Conclusion
    As the computer was still under warranty I took it back to the shop for service and they gave me a new PSU.


    • Related Answers
  • Rob Allen

    The max case temperature is 72.4C. The processor itself will likely be hotter than that. (source: http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SLB9L#).

    If your software is reporting a core temp of 50C you should be fine.

    If you have added additional hard drives, a beefier video card or more power thirsty RAM, it may be that your power supply is too small (too low wattage). Other potential causes are bad sticks of RAM.

  • hyperslug

    Intel lists this processor's Thermal Specification as 72.4, here: http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SLAPK#.

    I've heard a rule of thumb "keep it under 75C". Most processors should operate perfectly at 50C.

  • Gnoupi

    I don't know the actual range for this CPU, but in general, I doubt temperature is your problem.

    50°C is far from being a high temperature for a CPU, it's rather a normal one (for a small activity). As comparison, my T7400, in my laptop, can spike to 80-85°C without the computer to reboot (ok, it might reboot at 85...). It's a laptop, and a different CPU, but that gives an idea of the range.

    So or the issue is not the temperature, or your CPU temperature probe has a problem, in my opinion (rather the first choice).