GA-970A-D3 Northbridge temps hitting 80 degrees? tell me this isn't normal.

[Vinster]

this MB has a passive heatsink, I just bought it yesterday, here are the system specs

MB: GA-970A-D3 Bios F10 (out of the box)
CPU: Phenom II X4 955BE
OS: Intel 330 SSD 120GB
RAM: 4GB Gskill 1600Mhz (F3-12800CL9D-4GBXL)
PSU: currently my 750W but the end user has a 350W which should be more than enough for this system as it's only expected to use 110-150W

Everything is stock except the memory ratio is bumped up to 8x to get the memory running at 1600Mhz. I did load optimized defaults before starting anything. Drivers I used were from the CD, I will be updating them in the next day or so.

CPU Temps are 30 Degrees, System Temps are also 30 degrees, I'm using HWMonitor and ET6 for reading my temps. Temp#0 and 1 match up to ET6, but it's Temp#2 that is reading very high. I used my Fluke52 II to read the heatsink temp and it wasn't much lower so this temp is accurate and not a false reading.

This system isn't going to belong to me so I need to know is this is expected or if I should return this MB for another one.

Let me know is you need any other details.

Vin

[Vinster]

Over 100 views and not a thought? The system seems to be running OK. I'm worried about the long term usage of this system. it will be powered on 24/7.

Vin

[najiro]

Yes that is normal. AMD Northbridge chipsets are normally hot based on my experience. Other chipsets with an integrated graphics are even hotter.

[Vinster]

Ok, I think I'll install a small fan over it to make sure there is a constant airflow over it. I have a few AMD systems (790 and 890 chipsets) and neither of them had a hot northbridge like this.

Vin

[najiro]

Had a motherboard with 880G chipset northbridge before. Touched it just after turning off the unit, it was unbearably hot. Around 70C+ I guess. Some do mod the heatsink and place a fan or totally replace the heatsink with an aftermarket cooler like the one below.

Deepcool BQ-N07 North Bridge Chipset Cooler SF-BQN07