Lower CPU temps after overclocking?

[RaunII]

<p>Ok, this isn't the typical overclocking question...I overclocked my CPU, and CPU temperatures on the BIOS and Realtemp have gone DOWN, not up! The processor fan is on a 3 wire connector, stays running full bore all the time, no speed control, so it isn't that.</p><p>I haven't changed anything, and experimented with the stock clocking of my E4500 C2D, and when I overclocked the FSB slightly to increase total speed to 2.4 ghz instead of 2.2 ghz, the system temps running 3dmark and then running EQ2 on balanced and testing at max quality graphics actually dropped 2 degrees celcius.  I have been running stability tests since I put the machine together a few days ago, and recently experimented with clocking it to 2.5 ghz, and the idle and load temps are down another 3 degrees, without changing anything to the cooling system,ect.</p><p>The only thing I can think of is that the processor speed increase has let it be able to run EQ2 better when on balanced with no shadows because the primary core isnt flatlined at 100% usage.</p><p>I did not increase voltage to the processor, and I am letting the EVGA motherboard auto adjust my ram speeds,ect. So far the system is stable though 3dmark and other tests, and doesn't crash or have stability issues(even when running EQ2 on maximum settings).</p><p>Does anyone know if my theory is correct? I am wondering if the overclocking is a bad idea or a good idea at this point. I know it is asking the processor to go above what it was designed to do, but if temps are actually lower, can it still pose damage to the processor? So far, the highest I can get the processor to spike at 2.5 gig(under full load) is 46 celcius, operating and idle temps are alot lower, mostly in the 28 celcius range on both cores.</p><p>P.S. I am using Antec silver 5 thermal paste, and supposedly it can take up to 200 hours to really start to work effectively...maybe that is why the temps are dropping. Either way, I am going to tuck some of the wiring in better, add a 5th case fan, and change a couple of the other fans out and hopefully shed another 5 degrees off of CPU temps.</p>

[vochore]

<p>46deg c underfull load overclocked on air cooling is pretty dam good if you ask me,also you theory of the thermalpaste taking a bit to full flow out and fill all the gaps between the cpu and cooler sounds about rt.i use the articsilver ceramic mix on mine but run a liquid cooling system and under full load  overclocked to 3.9 ghz mine never ran much over 45deg c but i also set the voltage up a bit higher then factory"about 1.45 volts".</p><p>i wouldent worry about it</p>

[TSR-JoshuaM]

<p>I can't directly support you with your overclocking concerns but hopefully the community can continue to give you advice on it.</p>

[RaunII]

I have been experimenting with settings i have found on overclocking forums, I found that by lowering the core speed multiplier and increasing the FSB speed, that set at 2.5gig per core I have found the most stable operation. Not only did my frames per second go up, but my temps are down to 27 to 28 Celsius when under a light load, and 37-41 Celsius on both cores under full load running EQ2 and multiple other applications at the same time. I am guessing it has something to do with thermal efficiency in some way with this particular chip, and also because the processor is no longer flatlined with one core at 100% usage when on balanced or higher graphics.