Video conversion software vs. my CPU

[JJ1958]

I use the free version of Any Video Converter to do some casual conversion of video files for me to edit, etc. Thing is, when the program is doing a conversion, it peaks my CPU (a Celeron 3.06 gHz) at 100% and keeps it there until done. Even for a small file (like a sub-10 minute YouTube video), this pushes my CPU temp to dangerous sustained levels, at or slightly over the maximum recommended operating temp. (I don't even want to think of how hot it could get if I tried to convert a really large file.)

Is this something endemic to video conversion software, or just Any Video Converter? Or is my CPU simply not up to the task? If this phenomenon does vary by software, anyone have experiences with other basic, free video converters that won't potentially fry my computer? Thanks.

[Baldrick]

It's normal for all conversion software. I would try solve your heat problems instead...new or bigger fan etc.

[redwudz]

Celerons don't usually run warm. How warm is it? ~70C+ I would be looking for better cooling.
I have a quad core Q9300 OC'd to 3.3Ghz and at 100% CPU on all cores for a six hour encode, it runs warm, but only about 61C. If they only ran at 50% CPU, it would probably take twelve hours.

You can try HWMonitor for some quick temperature numbers: http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php

You should make sure there's no dust in there and your air filters are clean. (If you have them) Or install a upgraded CPU cooler. Or as Baldrick mentioned, better fans.

[JJ1958]

It's normal for all conversion software. I would try solve your heat problems instead...new or bigger fan etc.

Celerons don't usually run warm. How warm is it? ~70C+ I would be looking for better cooling.
I have a quad core Q9300 OC'd to 3.3Ghz and at 100% CPU on all cores for a six hour encode, it runs warm, but only about 61C. If they only ran at 50% CPU, it would probably take twelve hours.

You can try HWMonitor for some quick temperature numbers: http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php

You should make sure there's no dust in there and your air filters are clean. (If you have them) Or install a upgraded CPU cooler. Or as Baldrick mentioned, better fans.

I've been using Speed Fan to keep tabs on the temp. Idle, the CPU shows around 54C. But just a few minutes at 100% CPU will push it into the mid-to-high 60s. Even some doodad-laden websites will peg the CPU briefly, but if I run into one that does so for any length of time, I bomb out of that site in a hurry.

I do try to keep the vents clear. One other possible factor: I live in a warm climate, and we tend to run the A/C at an absolute minimum to keep power costs down. (We are on an extreme budget here.) In summertime, the ambient room temp is around 78-82F. With the degree of heat generated inside the box, I'm not sure that would make a hell of a lot of difference, or would it?

Now, suppose I don't have either the technical expertise to swap/install fans on my own, nor the extra dough to pay someone to do it. Would an external fan blowing on the case be of any help at all?

[Nelson37]

More cool outside air in, more hot inside air out. Pretty simple. Even 90 degree air is a lot cooler than 140.

Got holes? Make more. Make'em bigger. Is there an air duct leading direct to the CPU? Easy to make.

A fan blowing on the case will do little good, unless directed directly into an air intake. Now, takind off the side of the case and pointing the fan at the cpu might do some good.

[MysticE]

Now, suppose I don't have either the technical expertise to swap/install fans on my own, nor the extra dough to pay someone to do it. Would an external fan blowing on the case be of any help at all?

Well that's easy enough to try. You should also make sure your rig is out in the open, not in some computer desk cubby hole and not backed up against a wall. You should have enough expertise to open the case and thoroughly clean, blow out, any dust and make sure any fan blades aren't encrusted with crud.

[redwudz]

In summertime, the ambient room temp is around 78-82F.

I run my AC at 80F and I don't really have any cooling problems. (It's 105F outside at present. )

I would pop the side cover off and take a look in there. The answer may be obvious. Or not.

If your idle temp is correct, that's too high. I could see why you might have problems with encodes. I'd look into the problem before the system is damaged from heat.