Preferred CPU temperature measuring program?

[Rockstaru]

I just got a Blu-ray drive, and wanted to break it in by ripping one of my movies to my hard drive (DVDFab and Handbrake). Since it's high definition, I'm trying to keep an eye on my CPU temperature. I opened up CoreTemp, and was alarmed to see that it was reporting ~70C for all four cores (Tjunction max 100C). I did some reading online, and some posts on overclock.net and tomshardware suggested that CoreTemp isn't necessarily the best program for measuring temperatures--RealTemp is more accurate. I downloaded that program, and it's reporting that the temperature is actually closer to ~60C, but the Tjunction max is only 90C. Anyone have any opinions on which is better? Also, at what temperature should I start to get worried? My CPU is an Intel Q6600 2.4GHz quad core, no overclock (came with a Dell XPS 710 I got as a graduation present several years ago, so I'm locked out of that in the BIOS).

[Crowort]

70 is high, but safe enough. You are looking at high 90s - 100 too be really worried. When was the last time you gave the insides a blowout? For no overclock 70 seems to high thou, so either dust build up or the HSF is loose or something.

[Rockstaru]

I clean it out pretty regularly (not on any sort of schedule, I just invariably wind up opening it up every 1-2 months to install a new component). I dusted it out about a month ago; should I do it more often than that? It's not in an environment where it gets exposed to a great deal of dust (college dorm room, lives next to my desk).

[sruon]

Sounds about right for a Q6600 with factory fan. What's the idle temp in comparaison?

[Rockstaru]

Idle is typically between 30-40C depending on whether I have my air conditioning unit on or not.

[Rockstaru]

Rather than make a new thread, I'll ask here: I'm thinking of replacing the factory fan and heatsink with an aftermarket one. the CPU is an LGA 775 according to CPU-Z.

http://imgur.com/R4aR6.png

I was thinking of replacing the stock heatsink and fan with this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-003-_-Product

Fan Dimensions120 x 120 x 25mm Heatsink Dimensions120(W) x 50(H) x 159(D)mmThe computer is an XPS 710, case dimensions roughly 8.5in W x 22in. L x 22in. H. Will that heatsink+fan fit?

Thanks.

[Olo401]

Topic question: I use RealTemp. It's free, easy to work with, and hasn't been found to have off readings (as far as I've researched).

As for an aftermarket HSF, since you're unable to overclock and I'm not sure if a 120mm unit will fit in your case, go with a smaller unit like the AC Freezer 7 Pro rev.2.