Noticed system messages like the following while building software as root outside Xfce Desktop, the process goes real fast then starts slowing down with similar message with different numbers:

"[26670.911221] CPU0: Core temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 1)"

Understand the overheating & throttling message. Question is this normal? Did some preliminary research so I did the following:
Cleaned PC housing & fans including cpu heat sink.

Ran GkrellM per another post. Setup CPU Core Temp, reported @ 85.1 -86.9F, 88.9F - Vcore 1.18
Oddly under Fans: atk0110@0/fan1 cpu, atk0110@0/fan2 CHASSIS1, atk0@/fan3 CHASIS2, atk0110@0/fan4 POWER - Dont understand atk0110 designation? ATK is the etheros driver for my wireless pci card. Besides I'm running ethernet cable as default.

All fans are running: Power Fans, cup fan, back exhaust fan 1, side fan 2.

Your time & input are appreciated. Thank you

How old is this system ? When have you last changed the CPU thermal paste ?

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atk0110 is how an ASUS motherboard reports lm_sensor temperature data. See http://cateee.net/lkddb/web-lkddb/SENSORS_ATK0110.html

If you run the command "lsmod | grep asus", you should see asus_atk0110 in the output.

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System is 7 years old. Never changed thermal paste since I initially built it. What is the normal running temperature range?

Ran the command@Richard, I see. Thank you for the link too.

I had the same problem recently (also with a throttling processor), but it was because I used bad or poorly applied thermal paste when replacing a cooler. I re-applied the thermal paste (another brand) and it works like it should now.

Apparently it dries out over time, so like others have implied, it may be time to replace it.

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I'd say change the paste with a silver or zinc-based paste.
See:
http://www.techpowerup.com/articles//overclocking/134/1

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Thankyou metachima, for the link;what brand for silver or zinc paste you get? Have to Love links. Will get that thermal paste right away @Soderlund.
Just for information did a little more research on CPU E6600 found that normal temperatures of operation vary depending on Ambient temps, device & app cpu usage.
Normal ranges I found were between 28-45C = 82.4 - 113F; 36-38C = 98-101F; and as high as 50-52C = 122-125F; Mine is running between 30-38C = 86.9-101F.

Is CPU ever Idle with 232 procs for 1 user? Like to know what all those processes in the background are and see what is required and what is not?
Will close thread after I answer the process question.

Here's a benchmark of thermal pastes:
http://archive.benchmarkreviews.com/...=150&Itemid=62

I say just get a reasonably priced zinc-based paste or silver-based paste.

You should charge the thermal paste every 1-2 years. I also recommend not using the paste that comes with the CPU fan.

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Great article/howto@ metaschima Why is it so hard to find the zinc-based thermal paste? Found some on ebay & newegg. Found a GC one for $2.98 but shipping was $16 wow. What is a reasonable price?

Reasonable price is what you can afford. I mean Arctic Silver costs around $20-$30, and personally I don't find that reasonable for 1 or even 2 degrees Celsius cooler. I'd say under $5 is reasonable. I don't order such small things online, because shipping is huge. I just go to the computer store, look for zinc or silver and buy it. The tube should last for about the life of a computer or maybe even 2 computers.

I've always used lighter fluid to clean off old paste. Is that a “no no”?

Arctic Silver only 9 bucks free s&h at Newegg right now.
http://www.newegg.com/Thermal-Compou...hermal%20paste

Well, it might act as a solvent to the circuit board itself if you spill it. Plus I'd worry about all of it dissipating prior to restarting the system (alcohol's a smaller molecule), which might increase the fire hazard.

OTOH, I guess you haven't had any problems using it.

I've been using it for a long time without any problems. I never really knew what I was supposed to use.

It is irrelevant how many threads are running in the background to determine if a system is idle, relevant is your CPU load. It is also mostly irrelevant which temperatures your CPU has in idle state, neither are the temperature sensors calibrated to be accurate in that temperature range, nor do those temperatures tell about your temperatures under full load, which actually is the relevant thing to look at. Set your system under full load, preferably using programs like wprime, and check your core temperatures again. Tcase (the temperature right between the CPU cooler and integrated heat spreader of the CPU) should for the C2D E6600 not exceed 60.1°C (nobody in the IT world is measuring CPU temperatures in °F), usually your core temperatures can be a little bit higher than Tcase, but I would go for 60°C as rule of thumb to have a bit safety.

News to me.