newbie question re: temperature sensors on chip

[Raspewtin]

hey i am putting my first amd system together and was wondering for those reporting the temperature of their chip, did you need to insert a temperature sensing device there or is there temperature sensing built into the chip/motherboard. I understand the athlonxp has a thermal diode, but i heard very few motherboards can actually read it. i am getting the alpha cooler with a 1900 athlonxp chip on a epox 8KHA+ motherboard. i am wondering if my choice of fan will affect my ability to monitor the temperature of my core (wish i could get a handle on this cooling stuff)

 

[Mikewarrior2]

there's a built in socket-thermsitor, but its accuracy leaves lots to be desired... It does give an okay "fire-alarm" for your CPU temps, though.



Mike

 

[Raspewtin]

thanks for the clarification. appreciated.

 

[Swanny]

There is a built in thermal diode on the Athlon XPs, but the Asus A7V266-E is the only one that can read it right now.

 

[Rack]

<< There is a built in thermal diode on the Athlon XPs, but the Asus A7V266-E is the only one that can read it right now. >>


So far, the only board that has demonstrated it can read the internal diode is the Fujitsu-Siemens D1289,
like in this roundup.
From the a7v266-e and XP owners I have chatted with, it doesn't give realistic temperature ranges (maybe 2C swings as most).
I think every temp I've read about from all a7v266-e's with THEMCPU set on "reserve" was between 48 and 52C, no matter what the load.
I would expect the range to be 20C or more. I'm just going to build my own diode reading circuit, since I don't see another motherboard in the near future with one on it.