What Temp is TOO HOT?

[steve s]

I don't know where this belongs but I'll start here! I'm new to PC building from scratch but am jumping in very soon. What temp is considered too hot for a processor?
Also what are the various ( or maybe not various) ways of taking the temp? Software?.... got to be a thermometer somewhere right? I have a temp gun from my radio control cars hobby that might work....but I don't want to break into the case just to take the temp......or is that a valid way?
What are my options?

thanks,

[bblqj78]

speedfan should work...motherboards if the latest few years have temperature diodes built into them and monitor the case temp and also CPU temp. The latest graphics card also have temperature sensors on them that monitor the GPU speed. I always think any temps (CPU) getting towards 55C is getting far to high. Decent case temps are 35 and below.

http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

[Sterling_Aug]

Intel processor will shut down when the temps get too high.

AMD processors (Opterons only) will also shut down. The other AMDs will burn up in seconds if the temps get too high.

[G]

Go here:

http://www.zalmanusa.com/

CNPS9500 LED

The best temp and fan controlling software I know of is SpeedFan and is free.

Check out the high-quality cases at Antec.

http://www.antec.com/us/pro_enclosures.html

You will get quite a few fans and may be the PSU too with an Antec case. But get another 120mm and 80mm too.

For the CPU, use Artic Silver 5 thermal paste.