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AMD64 and Windows CPU Usage (and temp)
Hello everyone...
I recently replaced an old P4/MB combo with an Athlon 64 3200+ and Abit AV8 mainboard. I tried out the game I play (World of Warcraft if that's matters) and I noticed that the CPU usage is at 100%. (The gfx card is just an nVidia FX 5500 w/ 256MB; the system RAM is 1G) That doesn't bother me, but I've heard that 100% CPU Usage implies a problem. And a friend of mine (the 'Intel guy') laughed and said his P4 (~3Ghz w/ HyperThreading) runs at 45% during Warcraft. I asked about this on alt.gaming.warcraft and someone said that a P4 w/ HT may report 50% sometimes, 100% sometimes. Why is that? Is the processor (the P4) actually running at 100% but reporting something else? Is HT that much better? I personally don't mind that the CPU uses its full capacity if that's okay and normal; I don't want to overheat the processor though. (next question) And, even though Windows says my AMD is running at 100%, I can tab out of Warcraft and load Azureus (Java based BitTorrent program) or Firefox and use them with no problem. So Windows is still preempting the process when necessary, I'm assuming. It's not like when Windows is searching for a network printer it can't find and the processor jumps to 100% and slows the whole thing down. The game runs fine. Also, I noticed that after 20mins playing the temp goes to 50-C (maybe more after hours of playing). But when not playing, it goes down to 39-40C. How hot is too hot for an AMD? Thanks for any help and info, jab3 |
#2
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"jab3" wrote in message ... Hello everyone... I recently replaced an old P4/MB combo with an Athlon 64 3200+ and Abit AV8 mainboard. I tried out the game I play (World of Warcraft if that's matters) and I noticed that the CPU usage is at 100%. (The gfx card is just an nVidia FX 5500 w/ 256MB; the system RAM is 1G) That doesn't bother me, but I've heard that 100% CPU Usage implies a problem. And a friend of mine (the 'Intel guy') laughed and said his P4 (~3Ghz w/ HyperThreading) runs at 45% during Warcraft. I asked about this on alt.gaming.warcraft and someone said that a P4 w/ HT may report 50% sometimes, 100% sometimes. Why is that? Is the processor (the P4) actually running at 100% but reporting something else? Is HT that much better? I personally don't mind that the CPU uses its full capacity if that's okay and normal; I don't want to overheat the processor though. (next question) And, even though Windows says my AMD is running at 100%, I can tab out of Warcraft and load Azureus (Java based BitTorrent program) or Firefox and use them with no problem. So Windows is still preempting the process when necessary, I'm assuming. It's not like when Windows is searching for a network printer it can't find and the processor jumps to 100% and slows the whole thing down. The game runs fine. Also, I noticed that after 20mins playing the temp goes to 50-C (maybe more after hours of playing). But when not playing, it goes down to 39-40C. How hot is too hot for an AMD? Thanks for any help and info, jab3 The default alarm setting for my Asus K8V SE board, using a AMD 64 3000+, is 72degC if that's any use to you. Mine normally runs around 35 to 40degC but I don't play games. |
#3
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jab3 wrote in message ...
Hello everyone... I recently replaced an old P4/MB combo with an Athlon 64 3200+ and Abit AV8 mainboard. I tried out the game I play (World of Warcraft if that's matters) and I noticed that the CPU usage is at 100%. (The gfx card is just an nVidia FX 5500 w/ 256MB; the system RAM is 1G) That doesn't bother me, but I've heard that 100% CPU Usage implies a problem. And a friend of mine (the 'Intel guy') laughed and said his P4 (~3Ghz w/ HyperThreading) runs at 45% during Warcraft. I asked about this on alt.gaming.warcraft and someone said that a P4 w/ HT may report 50% sometimes, 100% sometimes. Why is that? Is the processor (the P4) actually running at 100% but reporting something else? Is HT that much better? I personally don't mind that the CPU uses its full capacity if that's okay and normal; I don't want to overheat the processor though. (next question) And, even though Windows says my AMD is running at 100%, I can tab out of Warcraft and load Azureus (Java based BitTorrent program) or Firefox and use them with no problem. So Windows is still preempting the process when necessary, I'm assuming. It's not like when Windows is searching for a network printer it can't find and the processor jumps to 100% and slows the whole thing down. The game runs fine. Also, I noticed that after 20mins playing the temp goes to 50-C (maybe more after hours of playing). But when not playing, it goes down to 39-40C. How hot is too hot for an AMD? Thanks for any help and info, jab3 Windows XP treats HT as though there is a 2nd processor. This could be why the usage would be at 45%. In regards to heat, the athlon runs hotter than the P4 by design. The athlons max temperature is ~80-C (if memory serves) and the core will melt if above that temperature. 50-C when gaming is ok, you've still got lots of room left before you encounter a heat problem. Hope this helps |
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#5
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kony wrote:
On 3 Apr 2005 00:39:09 -0800, (Cam) wrote: The athlons max temperature is ~80-C (if memory serves) and the core will melt if above that temperature. 50-C when gaming is ok, you've still got lots of room left before you encounter a heat problem. It is not usful to try and categorize "Athlons" in this way, especially since they (Athlon64) are the cooler running of the two mainstream CPUs BY FAR. Even Athlon XP ran cooler than their contemporary P4 with exception of only Palomino cores. So does this mean that the Athlon 64 running at 50-C while gaming is hot (again that's only after 15mins, don't know about 3 hours)? Because my P4 friend thought it was. I'm just using the AMD HSF that came with it. -jab3 |
#6
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Cam wrote:
[snipped my own stuff] Windows XP treats HT as though there is a 2nd processor. This could be why the usage would be at 45%. In regards to heat, the athlon runs hotter than the P4 by design. The athlons max temperature is ~80-C (if memory serves) and the core will melt if above that temperature. 50-C when gaming is ok, you've still got lots of room left before you encounter a heat problem. Hope this helps Yeah the Abit uGuru is set to shut off the CPU at 85-C and issue a warning at 75-C. A bit after writing that I had some time to search the Net and found that most people seem to have their Athlon run at 50-55-C while gaming. Others were saying 60-65, but the general consensus was that 60-65 was not good. -jab3 |
#7
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On Sun, 03 Apr 2005 10:05:17 -0400, jab3
wrote: kony wrote: On 3 Apr 2005 00:39:09 -0800, (Cam) wrote: The athlons max temperature is ~80-C (if memory serves) and the core will melt if above that temperature. 50-C when gaming is ok, you've still got lots of room left before you encounter a heat problem. It is not usful to try and categorize "Athlons" in this way, especially since they (Athlon64) are the cooler running of the two mainstream CPUs BY FAR. Even Athlon XP ran cooler than their contemporary P4 with exception of only Palomino cores. So does this mean that the Athlon 64 running at 50-C while gaming is hot (again that's only after 15mins, don't know about 3 hours)? Because my P4 friend thought it was. I'm just using the AMD HSF that came with it. -jab3 Why are we dwelling on these questions? It's not some great mystery what an acceptible CPU temp range is, even ignoring that anyone can download the spec sheet and see for themselves. The answer is that CPU temp depends on many variables besides which CPU is used. There is no "OK" or "expected" lone temperature, only a range. 50C is well under the ceiling and nothing to be concerned about. FWIW, the average/modern higher end P4 doesn't run below 50C at full load so I don't know what your "P4 friend" was thinking, unless as already mentioned, the other variables weren't actaully being considered to draw the conclusion. The heatsink supplied with the CPU is adequate. Is the system instable? Kinda silly to go around questioning everything on a system that DOES work ok? On the other hand, if you want best game performance then don't try to use the system for bittorrents simultaneously. |
#8
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On Sun, 03 Apr 2005 10:14:36 -0400, jab3
wrote: Cam wrote: [snipped my own stuff] Windows XP treats HT as though there is a 2nd processor. This could be why the usage would be at 45%. In regards to heat, the athlon runs hotter than the P4 by design. The athlons max temperature is ~80-C (if memory serves) and the core will melt if above that temperature. 50-C when gaming is ok, you've still got lots of room left before you encounter a heat problem. Hope this helps Yeah the Abit uGuru is set to shut off the CPU at 85-C and issue a warning at 75-C. A bit after writing that I had some time to search the Net and found that most people seem to have their Athlon run at 50-55-C while gaming. Others were saying 60-65, but the general consensus was that 60-65 was not good. "Good" relative to what? 60C, _IF_ an accurate temp reading, is low enough that any/all Athlons should be stable at stock speed. While it's a bit far-reaching to draw a conclusion, if the CPU was indeed instable at a known-valid 60C temp, at stock speed, it is defective and should be exchanged for a normally functional CPU. Overclockers have more concerns as the temp effects how far one can overclock. A stable system is a stable system... if it's stable at 60C you have not gained anything by reducing the temp to 50, 40, or even 30C. Some might argue that the CPU will last longer, and indeed if you expect to use it 15 years from now you might have atypical concerns. Otherwise the CPU is not really important to focus on as it is designed to tolerate running continually at 60C. More important might be other parts which aren't necessary tolerant of "potential" cooling/airflow issues causing that 60C. |
#9
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kony wrote:
On Sun, 03 Apr 2005 10:05:17 -0400, jab3 wrote: So does this mean that the Athlon 64 running at 50-C while gaming is hot (again that's only after 15mins, don't know about 3 hours)? Because my P4 friend thought it was. I'm just using the AMD HSF that came with it. -jab3 Why are we dwelling on these questions? HA! Yeah I know man, I'm sorry. You are indeed being patient. The problem is that I've got this guy chuckling and giggling in my ear saying that the new AMD sux and isn't performing well and is running hot and that the P4 is far superior because it is able (according to him now) to do the same load at only 50% usage and cooler. So I'm thinking, if he's right then maybe I should have bought another P4. So I'm asking on these groups to get a broader range of input. Sorry if it's getting monotonous. It's also that I bought this CPU from Newegg and I only have 7 days to return it to them; otherwise I'll have to deal with AMD and I'd rather deal with Newegg. (for whatever reasons....I'm sure AMD customer service would be fine) It's not some great mystery what an acceptible CPU temp range is, even ignoring that anyone can download the spec sheet and see for themselves. The answer is that CPU temp depends on many variables besides which CPU is used. There is no "OK" or "expected" lone temperature, only a range. 50C is well under the ceiling and nothing to be concerned about. FWIW, the average/modern higher end P4 doesn't run below 50C at full load so I don't know what your "P4 friend" was thinking, unless as already mentioned, the other variables weren't actaully being considered to draw the conclusion. The heatsink supplied with the CPU is adequate. Is the system instable? Kinda silly to go around questioning everything on a system that DOES work ok? Yeah I know. There were some problems with the game (rebooting or freezing), but it seems to be that some of the video options I had turned up (anisotropic filtering was probably one) were causing the system hangs. My friend has everything turned up on his and the game and computer runs fine, but I believe that's because the graphics card he has is better. He's got a Dell 4700 (Dimension I assume) that came with a 128MB-ATI Radeon (not sure which, but newer). I've got this semi-older nVidia FX 5500 but with 256MB gfx memory. We each have 1G RAM. But of course he's trying to say the P4 has something to do with it. On the other hand, if you want best game performance then don't try to use the system for bittorrents simultaneously. I don't. I tabbed out and loaded Azureus because I wanted something that was resource hungry (at least a little) and I've noticed in the past that since Azureus is java-based, the java module takes some RAM, so I just figured if that would load and run then the processor/WinXP was doing ok. (Granted the java program only uses up about 32M of memory, but it was the first thing I could think of that would use more than Firefox) Thanks for your patience with my persistence/stubbornness. -jab3 |
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