i'm above optimal temp, but do i really need a new cooler?

after reading several threads, i downloaded SpeedFan. my Dell Dimension 4700 tower is actually on a stand right in front of my window AC unit. once the weather got too cold, i turned it off, of course.

after i installed SpeedFan, i checked because i was curious what temp i was running. i was about 58-62C (136.4-143.6F), consistently. i turned on the AC unit's fan only and have it vented from the outside (the radiators in this 1920's solid masonry place keep me plenty warm). after letting the fan run for about an hour, i got to a consistent 48-51C (118-123.8F). optimal is supposed to be 40C (104F) so, am i relatively safe not doing anything else? pc is about 5 or 6 years old and i've never had a failure due to overheating.

any failures i've had were directly related to various software (non OS) issues. can post additional info about my system if it's possible to get closer to 40C with the SpeedFan options, but i know better than to do that without help. if i can do it, i'll read up on the info that's already posted in the forums before asking more questions. i'd just like to know if i really need to bother with anything.

 

Speedfan defaults to an optimal temperature of 40 degrees. The optimal temperature for your computer varies. I assume from the temperatures you provided that the temperatures are the temperatures of your processor, which should be fine at any temperature below 70 degrees c.

 

it is always good to keep the computer as cool as possible so try and *** another cooling device as i know from past experiance that some harware have different resistances to heat so be on the safe side and add another cooling system (could be nice and cheap like an extra fan.)

 

i've never had a heat-related issue, but my fan/ac solution seems to work great & lowered my temp a good deal. did know about the dust & do keep mine clean. thanks for the additional info, though.

 

clean your cpu fan/heatsink often, every 3-6 months, even more so if ur house is dusty. dust and smoke can build up and cuase lots of heat issues.