System running warmer than usual

[Gig-O-Ram]

Since I put my system back together after my move, I notice that my system overall is running warmer than it used to. Now, before I moved my system 750 miles, I removed the video card and the HSF just so that I could be sure that nothing bounced around in the case during transit.

Shortly after getting to the new place, I put the card and HS back, and then I noticed some fairly alarming temps on the CPU and video. The CPU was showing loaded temps (38°C) on idle, and the video temp was up. I took the HSF back out, and redid the AS5 because I thought maybe I didn't get a good connection the first time, and maybe had too much TIM. Since doing that, the CPU is down 2 or 3° C, but still a bit warmer than I'm used to.

Is it possible that a larger room can affect temps? The room I'm set up in now is bigger than before. And since where I live now is a little over 5,000 feet elevation, can that have anything to do with it? Or is it just the hardware being wierd?

[Jokerswild]

Room temp more than size matters but the higher the elevation the thinner the air. I don't know if that would effect temps. How much difference is there?

[Capper]

Did you clean the IHS and heat sink base really well before reinstalling them? I'd recommend at the minimum using 90% alcohol and cleaning both. also make sure there is no scarring that might affect the contact between the two. you might also look at picking some Arctic Silver Arctic Clean.

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by Capper

Did you clean the IHS and heat sink base really well before reinstalling them? I'd recommend at the minimum using 90% alcohol and cleaning both. also make sure there is no scarring that might affect the contact between the two. you might also look at picking some Arctic Silver Arctic Clean.

The difference in the temps I'm getting on the CPU now are about 5 or 6°C higher than I got before I took the system apart. I would usually get about 32 -33°C on idle, and now it idles @ 36-38°C, and loaded it will sometimes go above 40°. As for the video card, I didn't remove the HS at all, but it is now showing me temps in the low 40s, where it used to idle it the high 30s. The chipset temp is also a few degrees warmer, even with all fans at max.

I cleaned the IHS and HS base as well as I could using 91% alcohol. It has worked pretty well in the past when I've redone the TIM for whatever reason.
I did notice a few minor scratches on the HS base, so that may be a concern. I need to get more AS anyway, so I might look at getting some cleaner as well.

[Pete]

I think Joker is on to something. Higher elevation does effect air flow and pressure. And didnt you move to the desert?

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by TTPete

I think Joker is on to something. Higher elevation does effect air flow and pressure. And didnt you move to the desert?

Yeah, I moved to the Albuquerque, NM area. ABQ is about 5200 or 5300 feet, and the city I live in may be a bit higher, plus it is warmer here to begin with right now, and I just checked the room temp at almost 80°F.

[Dr. V]

Originally Posted by Gig-O-Ram

Yeah, I moved to the Albuquerque, NM area. ABQ is about 5200 or 5300 feet, and the city I live in may be a bit higher, plus it is warmer here to begin with right now, and I just checked the room temp at almost 80°F.

That explains it.

[Stormcrow]

Yep, higher elevation has a big impact on heat transfer, just look at the back of a box of mac and cheese. It'll have two sets of instructions normally, one for around sea level and another for those above a certain altitude. Also, you said you moved 750 miles. You're most likely in a whole new climate, which is the biggest effect on air cooling because of ambient temperatures. When I lived in Florida, my PC idled higher all year long then now here in Maine due to higher humidity and being generally hotter. I'd say the biggest culprit here is a higher ambient temperature, do you know what the temperature was normally where you used to be compared to the one now?

EDIT: Yep, that does it. Air can only hold so much heat, and if its warmer to begin with it carries even less. Nothing wrong with your system

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

Yep, higher elevation has a big impact on heat transfer, just look at the back of a box of mac and cheese. It'll have two sets of instructions normally, one for around sea level and another for those above a certain altitude. Also, you said you moved 750 miles. You're most likely in a whole new climate, which is the biggest effect on air cooling because of ambient temperatures. When I lived in Florida, my PC idled higher all year long then now here in Maine due to higher humidity and being generally hotter. I'd say the biggest culprit here is a higher ambient temperature, do you know what the temperature was normally where you used to be compared to the one now?

EDIT: Yep, that does it. Air can only hold so much heat, and if its warmer to begin with it carries even less. Nothing wrong with your system

The climate here is definately different than it was in California. Even though I lived inland over there, I was still closer to the ocean than I am now, so the onshore air flow still managed to have effects on the overall climate. Where I live now is a different story. The air can tend to sit still, and right now it is warm most of the time. Even when it rains, it's warm, and when it's dry, even more so. The ambient room temps where I lived before never went much over 77°F on average, but here seem to be a bit higher. Winter temps here can drop into the 30s and 40s, so it'll be interesting to see what happens to the system temps then.

[Stormcrow]

Here in Maine last year we had a couple of days go down into the negatives, so for a few "lulz" I opened my window, bundled up and shut off the heater. The room temp went down to around 10-20 degrees, and I was able to overclock my processor to around 2.8 no problem (I was using the stock AMD cooler then) or even disconnect the heatsink fan at stock and turn down the fans. Only lasted a night, but it was fun. Ambient air plays a huge role in the temps on your computer, so during the summer you may find you have to crank the fans a little higher, or have a little fun during the winter.