Thermal paste / Is my CPU temperature normal?

Hello everyone,

I recently assembled a computer with a P4 3.2Ghz processor. Problem is the idle temp is around 48 degrees. It goes up to around 67 when I'm doing a virus scan with Norton antivirus. 4 fans have been installed already, but they don't seem to make much of a difference.

I ordered some Ultracut Thermal paste off ebay and applied it, but the temperature hasn't gone down all that much (1/2 degrees?).

I remember reading in another thread that thermal paste takes a week to really be effective. How true is that?

In my humble opinion anything below 35c is cool and anything up to 55c is acceptable when idle. Most CPU's are stable up to about 70c.
Don't piddle around with expensive thermal paste, it is useful and will drop your cpu temp by 0.5 - 1 degree but if you want a serious temp drop get a cooler like the asus star ice or a water cooling setup.
remember unless you get a phase cooler you will never get your cpu temp below room temp.

Is the cpu a Prescott core or Northwood core? You are running a bit warm for a NW, but just fine for a Prescott. To drop temps, better heatsink, more casefans, good thermal paste, good cable management for airflow in the case, and leave room around the case to allow good airflow in and out.

It's a P4 540 LGA 775 3.2GHz, 800Mhz FSB with HT enabled. Not sure which core it is? how do i check?

Thanks for that. I was worried that I was running too hot.

Its a prescott, you're fine