What's a dangerous CPU temp?

[zCypher]

Hi y'all,

Just curious, at which point do you worry about your CPU temp?
I've noticed on this build I've completed that the BIOS reports 29-31c idle cpu temp.
It's an X3 445 which I have unlocked the 4th core (not sure how this affects the temp).

I'm running Prime95 while typing this up. At the same time I have a light weight IM program, Avira, and a file copy going through the wireless network onto this computer.

Watching the temps in CPUID Hardware Monitor.

One section of the hardware monitor says the CPU is only at 56 - 59c. Another section shows a breakdown of each core and it's hovering between 83-88c (up to 190F).

Is this a safe operating temp?

The CPU is at 3.1GHz (stock) and has the original HSF.

Prime95 did not report any errors and I haven't noticed any glitches or any crashes.

 

[mnewsham]

You want your load temps to be around 60c. 70c is okay, but I like mine cooler then that.

 

[zCypher]

You want your load temps to be around 60c. 70c is okay, but I like mine cooler then that.

Any idea why I get different readings?

BIOSTAR Group A880G+ -> Temperatures -> CPU -> 59C (during Prime95 torture test)

The other category is:

BIOSTAR Group A880G+ -> AMD Phenom II X4 -> Temperatures -> Core #0 -> 86C (there's one listing for each of the 4 cores).

Any other recommended software for temp monitoring? Also, I heard from someone that unlocking a core can make temp readings get wonky, any idea about that?

Edit: The BIOS temps read 29c-31c prior to any unlocking of 4th core. It also reads 30-35c in the HWMonitor program under the first category when idle, and maxes out at 60c under load.

Just not sure what to make of the discrepancy.

 

[mfenn]

Try CoreTemp and see what it says. I'm betting that one of two things is happening: (a) the temperature probe or HWMonitor is just plain wrong or (b) the core with the high reading is the one that was initially disabled and it actually does have some defects that make it warmer.

IMHO, 86C is borderline. If it only reaches that temp under load and seems stable, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Everybody knows that the core temp sensors on AMD CPUs don't work after unlocking cores. Only the single overall temp measurement works.
I doubt that it is really at 86C. That's way over the limit for AMD chips anyways, and you would be crashing left and right if it were true.