Utterly confused about Temps

[kronnyq]

Im trying to achieve greater than 3.6Ghz on my e8400, haven't been very successful so far, mainly because I'm confused about my temperatures.

4 different programs, all show different CPU temps. What gives?

http://i25.tinypic.com/2qvfck6.jpg

These are max load Prime95 temps, but I have no idea which are right.

 

[bryanW1995]

realtemp is correct. however, it is not DEFINITELY correct, it is just the correct tool for you to use to measure your temps. intel core2-based cpus don't have a clearly-defined tjmax. However, it IS possible for utilities to read the temp off of the cpu core die, which is what realtemp and coretemp do. Realtemp displays your distance to tjmax, that is the temp that is really important to you. keep that number above 20c and you're good to go. since you're at 51 and 46 c then you're obviously fine at idle, try running orthos on it and see what it does temp-wise.