Normal Operation Temp?

I'm just a wee bit curious about this. When i got my system back at the end of 2010, I would look at SpeedFan and it would tell me that my system's idle temperature was about 72F. Now, however, when I look at the temperature, my CPU idles at about 90F.

Is this just normal to happen over time, or is it the summer air or something? I know this isn't dust, because I just spent the better part of seven hours last night taking this entire machine apart down to the bare case so as to clean it (there was quite a bit of dust.)

Or am I just worrying myself for nothing?

To be honest this is something that does happen over timethat has a very easy fix. The problem with your rising temperatures is mostlikely caused from the thermal paste between your processor and heatsinkbreaking down. Usually I recommend that thermal paste be replaced every 2 yearsdue to breakdown / drying out. What happens is the liquid in the compoundevaporates over time and leaves small pockets of air in its place the result isclimbing temperatures due to air being an insulator and not a conductor ofheat. Although the temperatures you are reporting are far from critical I wouldrecommend getting a tube of artic silver or any other premium heatsink compoundand replacing the thin layer between the processor and heatsink.

Duly noted. I'll take your advice, thank you very much. Luckily, Amazon sells Arctic Silver cheaply, so I've gone ahead and ordered a tube. :D Again, thank you. I thought this might have had something to do with it, but with it only being a year and a half old, I wasn't too sure the compound would need replacing yet. Guess I'm wrong. xD

You can also install HWMonitor for cross referencing software reading temp. values. There has been known faulty readings when using speedfan so its better to double check it.

Probably another factor would be the higher ambient temperature due to the summer heat.

Alright. I replaced the thermal compound. It was nerve-racking, really, as I've never done it before (although youtube has a way of educating xD).

It might have to do with the lower ambient temps. we've been having lately, but almost immediately after replacing the compound, my CPU now idles at about 82 F. And I have confirmed this on both SpeedFan and HWMonitor. :D

I just hope that when the summer heat returns (it's supposed to tomorrow, actually) that the temps won't rise back up. But I'm hopeful.

Search for min./max. temp. for your i5 processor. Just like this link

82F is impressive temperatures for idle