Question about bios reported temps

[dunno99]

Hey gang,

I'm running a X3350 (stock) on a P35-DS4 (with unknown firmware...and the board was ordered a few days ago from newegg...so whatever the revision is, I don't know) with a 2000-grit lapped TRUE120. I just popped in the CPU and had to leave for work. But I had just enough time to look at the CPU temperature reading in the bios, and it was hovering at around 20C. Now, given that the ambient temp was about 18C or 19C, I highly doubt that my CPU is running at only 20C.

I've been checking online for this "discrepancy" and found people saying that the temperature sensors are somehow fubared, and that about 5-10C should be added to this value at the idle range. So I'm guessing that at idle, that's 25-30C? Is that about right, or is it too high?

Thanks in advance for any info/tips!

*Edit: should've been more specific about what I meant by "temps"...

 

[Markfw]

download coretemp....Here

 

[LOUISSSSS]

download realtemp too, i heard its more accurate for 45nm CPU's, i even use it for my Q6600.

 

[runawayprisoner]

At low temperatures, the sensors get stuck, and they won't go any lower. In reality, it's possible for your CPU to idle at sub 20C. For example, my X3350 is idling at sub 20C on extreme air.

 

[bryanW1995]

Check the tjunction temperature that is reported for any temp monitors that you use. both of those mentioned are useful as long as tjunction is correct.

 

[dunno99]

Thanks guys, I'll go check them out!