CPU temps: Idle 50 C, full usage 54 C!

[CustardFD]

Hi all!

I've got an AthlonXP 1500. I've tried Win2k and WinNT, and both produce an idle temp of about 50?C. When I run the CPU at 100% for an hour or so, it stabilises at 54?C.

I downloaded CPU Cool, and when that is enabled the CPU drops to about 25?C in about 30 seconds. The heat sink is a copper based 2.2 GHz max CoolerMaster.

NT, 2k and XP are supposed to automatically issue the HLT command to cool the CPU when it isn't in use, so why is it that the CPU's temperature is so high and basically stable at 50-54. What am I doing wrong?

Any advice will be appreciated,

Dan.