My question is simple: What is the maximum heat range of the processor I currently have so I can know if Oblivion is running my processor too hot.

On average, whenever I play Oblivion, my processor gets in the 60-62 Celsius range whenever I play Oblivion for extended periods of time, and I was wondering if someone could let me know when things are running a little too hot on this processor so I can know if that is a safe range for my processor model type.

If it's running too hot, that will let me know if the game is stressing out my computer too much.

However, I don't know what is too hot for the processor, so could someone inform me what the danger temperature is?

P.S.- I heard Intel processors have a higher heat tolerance than AMD, which I used to have, but I don't know the specifics for this model:

Intel Pentium Core 2 Duo E6600 3.06 Ghz

I'd like to know so I don't damage my hardware.

anything 70 and over is usually the danger zone. What heatsink do you have?

Generally, your PC will cut out before any real damage can be done. The only genuine danger I can think of offhand is if the CPU cooler has become unseated, or even slightly so. If it's a bit wobbly, not secure, then make sure it is secure again, otherwise yeah, your CPU could perhaps die.

I doubt that's the case though. Things might be going a bit weird, if so.

Any particular reason you've taken to watching CPU temps? Advice from someone/somewhere? Just seemed lika a good idea at the time?

Regardless, ~60C is not extreme. If you want to know the tolerance of a given model, go to the website and look it up. In your case, intel.com of course.

Anyway. What are the temps like @ idle? Oh, and I assume you're not using aftermarket cooling and thermal compound, right?

As a point of reference, my e8400 (E0 stepping, aka the good stuff) idles below 30C, often around the 27-28 mark. But then, I do use the two things I mentioned above. Plus, a nice case. And, what's more, the e8xxx series is a die-shrink and minor upgrade of what you're using (e6xxx) - and therefore, running cooler. And I have automatic speed reduction enabled via the BIOS, so it's most often running at about 2/3 its standard (overclocked) speed. At full load, it might hit 40C or so. But keep in mind the points of difference - it all adds up.



Not necessarily. It's more like a chip by chip thing. Also, stepping, batch, model, range... each factor plays a part. Not to mention selection of aftermarket cooling and thermal compound (if any)... Basically, heat tolerance is not all it's cracked up to be. Running hot is not a great idea, essentially.

I've used AMD processors for quite awhile, and my old computer's AMD Athlon X2 Dual Core used to hover around the barely safe mark almost all the time.
58 Celsius with a max safe tolerance of 65 C (according to what I remember)

I found out via Intel.com that this model apparently (could someone check, as I may have read it wrong) has a max heat tolerance of 71.4 C, and I've gotten at absolute hottest around 61 point something Celsius at one point.

I just wanted to make sure that (A) I don't have anything to worry about (the processor, heatsink, and processor fan are free of dust and still look in good order), and what I can do to make sure I don;t have anything to worry about processor wise.

BTW, as for everyone who has offered their advice, thank you.

P.S.- Idle is generally around 35-38 Celsius.

Verified http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Pentium_Dual-Core/Intel-Pentium%20Dual-Core%20E6600%20AT80571PH0832ML%20%28BX80571E6600%20-%20BXC80571E6600%29.html.

Thanks for the clear up.

I might have been a processor newbie (I know more about graphics cards), but thanks to all of you guys, I know a lot more, and it's good to know I don;t have nearly as much to worry about as I thought.

Again, thanks!

Well, if the op and mods allows it, I'd like to use this thread to ask an existencial question...

...would you recommend me to watercool the new system I'm building, having in mind that I'll build it with a nice CPU (4-6 cores, 3,2 ghz and up), and one or even two (eventually) Geforce GTX 580? I don't plan to overclock it in any way, but I'm afraid that maybe it'll get a bit too hot...

In general, the boxed cooler is able to handle a stock-clocked CPU just fine. Overclocked CPU's generate more heat, and thus need a better (water)cooler.

I'm not saying only the CPU, I say the whole computer...CPU, GPU and chipset.

I don't know...it can get pretty hot in here, and I've already lost 2 graphics cards due to overheat (without touching or overclocking them)...

If you have a good case, even the stock coolers will be adequate to the task. Water cooling only really becomes necessary when you do some serious overclocking.... There are meaner heatsink/fans available if you don't think stock is good enough.