how hot is safe for an nForce2 IGP chipset?

[gdement]

I was running memtest86 on a board with an nForce2 IGP (Geforce4 MX integrated) chipset. The chipset has a passive heatsink.

After about 10 minutes of memtest, I checked the temperature using a thermocouple at the center base of the heatsink. I got 51C. This is in open air.

I imagine it will be hotter a year from now, running 3D in a dusty case.
Any opinions on how hot is safe for these chipsets over the long term? Just curious how close I am to a problem.

The nuisance of it is that this heatsink won't hold a fan. To install a fan I'd have to downgrade to a tiny 440BX heatsink. The chipset heatsinks on newegg are expensive and don't look appealing.

[370forlife]

Re: how hot is safe for an nForce2 IGP chipset?

GF2 chipset is notorious for being white hot.

51C is not too bad, maybe put a fan blowing onto it somehow if you are uncomfortable.

[bgavin]

Re: how hot is safe for an nForce2 IGP chipset?

Look into buying a Rocket V cooler from Newegg for $9.95 USD.
It sits in an used PCI slot and uses two 70mm fans to cool a passive video card and adjacent heat sinks.

I find the Rocket does a great job of cooking bridge sinks, depending upon where you locate the air stream.