Conroe System and CPU Temperatures

[Fleshie]

Hi Guys,

Got a few questions about C2D temperatures, just wondering if anyone can shed some light. I'm running E6600 with P5B Deluxe Wifi, no overclocking.

1) In Speedfan and other temp reading softwares, there is usually a reading for CPU and two other readings for the actual cores. I've heard that the CPU temperature is NOT accurate and that I only need to care about the core temperatures. Is that true?

2) My idle temps are 32 System, 37 CPU, 30 for both Cores. My load temps (stressing with TAT) are 35 System, 67 CPU and 60 for both Cores. Are these temperatures OK?

3) According to Speedfan at idle, my System temperature is HIGHER than the core temperatures (even though it's lower than CPU temp). Does this even make any sense? I would think that the Core themselves should be running hotter than the system. Is there something out of whack here? The fact that my system is running hotter than my cores is causing me to think that the system is running too hot...

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[aigomorla]

well, becaues you posted in the correct forum i'll answer. But the reason why no one is answering is because this question comes up almost every day.


1. Ummm. mobo temps are accurate. However the location where they read the temp is not the best and ideal place. Its located near the resistors i think in the socket on the floor.

2. Without you telling me your Ambient, or aprox ambient and Heat sink, i cant judge if its fine or not. But assuming we all like 70F. and your running a stock intel heat sink, then yes, your temps are fine.

3. The systems run hotter because, it also is responsible for the memory controler. i can be wrong here... But becaues your loading up the core doesnt mean your not loading the memory access and writes. A lot of stability issues was a direct result of people overclocking, and providing inadiquite cooling to the NB.

You dont have to worry about either, becaues your not overclocked. The board is running to stock settings, and so is your cpu. So everything is fine, and looks fine. Your never going to load up the core 100% for hours and hours, unless you fold, or do lots of encoding while you sleep. Well if you game with supreme commander, that will do it too, but i doubt you play that.


So dont freak out, your temps are fine, and your just causing more issues on youself.

 

[Fleshie]

Thank you so much for the reply.

I've done a little reading myself and I'm even more puzzled now about my current cpu temp and core temps.

In an article I read somewhere, it said that temperatures on the cores (referred to as tjunction) are always supposed to be around 15C higher than the cpu temp (referred to as tcase). This makes intuitive sense to me since the cores are where the heat is generated, so it should be hottest part of the cpu. However, in my situation it seems like the opposite - my CORE temperatures are actually always around 7C - 10C LOWER than my cpu temp. In fact, sometimes the temperatures for the cores go as low as 25C, while the cpu temp is like 33C. Is this even reasonable, that the cores can reach such a low temperature on stock cooling??? ...and also at the same time have the CPU temp HIGHER than the core temps??? I'm just starting think that the core temperature readings on my chip are just not right anymore... though all softwares (tat, speedfan, coretemp) are giving me about the same readings.

Thanks for any help at all.

 

[aigomorla]

i think my #1 statement would answer your question

CPU temps is the DIODE located on the board.

Core is the Core temp inside the CPU.


You cant cool the bottom of the board, so thats why it will get HOT when you load it up, and it will be higher then the core, because your pbc on the CPU is insulating the temps down there.

Only time ive seen that thing cold is when your on sub ambient.

 

[Fleshie]

Thanks again for the reply.

This is confusing to me then... reading some articles, they keep saying the CPU temperature is the temperature taken from the heat spreader between the cores (via a DIODE as you said i'm assuming)... so in effect, this temperature should be LOWER than the temperature readings from the CORES, which are the SOURCE of the heat, and the hottest parts of the CPU. But you are saying that it is normal for the CPU temperature to be higher than the core temperatures?

So you're saying it's abnormal that my temperature readings from my core are going as low as 25C then (i think ambient here is around 24C). So something must be not right with these readings... probably the core readings??.. I don't even know which temperature I can rely on now as the supposed 'correct' temperature.

Sorry for being long-winded and asking so many questions... really appreciating the help.

 

[aigomorla]

no im saying your giving this too much though.

The readings on the core has to do with voltage running though the dies. Its not just temp based.


So if its droppign to 24C its normal. It means your die isnt working hard, and is nice and idling.

However the heat will build up below your chip, unless you got a fan blowing air under your cpu socket. So dont freak out.

Just enjoy your cpu, and stop being so paraniod about your rig. :]

 

[yacoub]

Easy answer: Go with whatever is the highest temp reported.

 

[Canai]

Use Everest for your temp monitors. It's simply the best.

As for your temps, those are a bit high (I'm guessing you are talking in ºC)

My system, E6600 @ 2.8, idles at 23 and peaks at 43 or so with ambient temp of 15. 60ºC is getting a bit high for the cores. I believe the Intel spec on their C2D cores is 70ºC

And aigomorla, I've NEVER seen my CPU temp get higher than my core temps. I think you are misinformed with that bit

 

[Fleshie]

Thanks a lot for the replies.

Canai: So you think I should get a better hsf? Which value do you think is correct then - my core temps or the cpu temp.. they can't be both right when they are conflicting. your core idling temps are super low.. but your ambient is like cold too.

yacoub: Yea, i'm tending towards this... but even if i do take the highest value, which is the cpu temp, doesn't that mean that the core temps are actually even HIGHER than that.. e.g. CPU temp = 33C ... reported core temps are 25C... but in actually the core temps are like maybe 48C??

aigomorla: i know i'm a little paranoid about it, but still.. i just want to make sure it's operating normally, sustainably.. so i won't have to touch it again.. then i can really enjoy my rig. thanks for the help so far.

Again, thanks for the replies.

 

[Canai]

I'd lean towards a better HSF or better case fans, but I think you should download Everest and see what temps it gives you. I encourage you to purchase it as it is well worth the money. The trial version I linked is good for 30 days. It should provide you with very accurate readings of all temps.