9npa+ Ultra reporting CPU temp too high?

[bloodugly]

First off, here's the system specs: Opty 144 @ 2.25ghz (250x9) @ 1.4volts, 2 x 1gb PC4000 RAM, Stock Heatsink with 80mm fan @ 5000rpm mounted using a fan adapter I had laying around (yes, it's loud). Room temp right now is 65 F.

I've already checked to make sure the heatsink was mounted properly the first time. There was a perfect print on the bottom of the heatsink from the thin layer of AS5 I used, so apparently my mounting skills arent the problem. All I can think is that perhaps the CPU temp is being reported totally wrong. Its SP2004 stable under load, but this temp is just WAY high. Also, I do have good airflow in the Gigabyte Aurora case this is mounted in. So do you guys think I'm correct in thinking its an error in the temp being reported (both in BIOS and in Speedfan, they're the same) or is there something obvious that just isn't crossing my mind? Also, as soon as I start SP2004, the temp immediately jumps from 46 up to 54, then slowly works up from there.

Note: This board was an RMA replacement from Epox...my father had the first one die on him and I ended up getting this one since he bought an ASUS instead of waiting for the RMA replacement to come back. Also, I've already flashed it to the most recent BIOS.

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[GuitarDaddy]

I'm guessing the HSF is the standard non-heatpipe model, if so you need a better cooler. The heatpipe version that comes with the newer dual core opty's is much better

 

[bloodugly]

Yeah, I'm about to get a better cooler but I'm still kinda surprised by how high these temps are. I had one of the heatpipe coolers, but I put it in my girlfriend's new rig since we already had all the parts for it and I was still waiting on a video card.

 

[MadScientist]

I have the same MB with an Opty 170 OCed to 2.7Ghz at 1.42V and an AC Freezer 64 Pro HS. My MB also reports high CPU temps in Speedfan and the bios at idle and load, but lower core temps. My room temp (basement) is about the same as yours, 65 F (18C). I believe that yours and my MB's CPU sensor is incorrectly reporting the CPU temps. As GD suggested, get a better HS, use Core Temp and report back with your temps.
Speedfan
2.0Ghz, 1.32V Idle-42C Load-49C
2.7Ghz, 1.42V Idle-44C Load-57C
Core Temp (dual core)
2.0Ghz, 1.32V Idle-21, 22C Load-31, 35C
2.7Ghz, 1.42V Idle-24, 25C Load-38, 44C

 

[bloodugly]

Ok, I installed CoreTemp. Here are my new readings:

Idle: Speedfan=48, CoreTemp=26
Load: Speedfan=58, CoreTemp=38

This is all still at 2.25ghz/1.4volts.

At least now I know I'm not the first person to have this problem with an Opty in this board. Its also good to know what my real temps are finally. A HUGE thanks to you, MadScientist

Now I just need to get a good heatsink and find out what this chip can do! Its a CABNE 0544EPMW, so I'm thinking I should be able to get a decent overclock out of it

Update:Got it up to 2.565 @ 1.6volts (1.56v to 1.58v reading in Everest) and its only getting up to 46 degrees according to CoreTemp. Not too shabby...

Only thing that sucks is how much voltage I'm having to give this Opty to hit this speed. This seems to be its top speed no matter what voltage I give it (I've tried 1.4 to 1.6), and I don't really want to shoot a huge amount of juice into it. I have this nagging feeling that my Sparkle 400w PSU is holding things back ( I do have a overclocked 7900gs and 2 hard drives also). Either that or I got a poor overclocker. I've tried all kinds of different settings, and still I'm getting stuck in the 2.5ghz range. Grrrrr....looks like I might have to go shopping for a new PSU along with a nicer heatsink