Which temperature reading should I be watching when overclocking??

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rpitts

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Dec 6, 2013
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I am new to overclocking and really am not looking at doing anything major. I have already used the ASUS AI Suite II that came with my mobo to run their stock auto overclocking tool so I am up from 3.6 to around 3.9 already. I am wanting to make sure my temps stay in order, however.

I have tried several cpu temp monitoring applications (CoreTemp, HWMonitor, Speccy, and the ASUS Suite II that came with my mobo) and am confused with the readings I am getting. Some of them say the CPU is in the 30sC and some are saying the CPU is around 15c. They seem way different from each other. Also, HWMonitor shows two different temps; one at 39c and one at 14c. Basically, when I run a Prime95 test I want to know which number should I be looking at? I've read that the higher number is the socket temp and the lower one is the actual CPU core temp. Is the lower (CPU core) temp the one I should watch while running a Prime95 test? And for my processor (AMD FX 4100) what should the socket and core temps stay under? I do have an aftermarket CPU fan (albeit, a cheap one). Here are what my readings are at basically idle.

LcVqEBB.jpg


Also, you can see that the min temp for the CPU is showing 6-7c. That just looks way low! i want to make sure I watch the right things when overclocking so I don't kill my CPU. Thanks for the help!
 
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C
Yep!

The phenomenon you have witnessed is because there are two temperature sensor readings: CPU Socket and CPU Core. CPU Socket is great for idle temps, but is 5-15C higher when at load, while the CPU Core temps are most accurate at load, but provide weird, often sub-ambient, temperatures when at idle.

So the HWmonitor Package temperatures, and the other program that isn't AI Suite, is what you should pay attention to when at load. Happy overclocking!
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mr1hm

mr1hm

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if you're using ASUS Suite software, Core temp's readings may be false. try to fully exit out of ASUS suite and then re-run Core temp/HWmonitor. as far as ASUS suite software for intel 3rd gen CPUs go, the reading labeled "CPU," is actually the CPU's socket temperature which should be lower than the actual core temperature.

check to see if they show different readings, if not, you can also try fully uninstalling the ASUS suite software

 
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rpitts

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So the reading labeled "CPU #0" on CoreTemp and "Package" on HWMonitor are the real CPU temps I need to focus on when overclocking? If so, what is the max for my level CPU? I've heard between 60-65...is that correct?

Also, is there a max for the other temp (socket?) that is showing up I should stay under?
 
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mr1hm

mr1hm

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i'm not too sure about coretemp (it definitely feels way off though) but, as far as HWmonitor goes, a thread from a different forum did confirm that "Package," temps is what you should be watching.

that thread also stated the scoket temperature should be somewhat close to the actual core temperature after going 50C+

and yes, 60C-65C is generally thought to be the max limits. i'd try an keep it around 60C, with 62C at the absolute maximum or lower.
 
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rpitts

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Thanks for the help! You were right that when under full load and the temps increase they are a lot closer together. I'll probably end up getting a new CPU cooler as well as re-apply some new thermal paste because so far I can only get my AMD FX 4100 up to around 3.9MHz (200MHz and a x19.5 multiplier) within safe temps. Starts to get around 63-65c at a x20 multipler.
 
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Calculatron

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Yep!

The phenomenon you have witnessed is because there are two temperature sensor readings: CPU Socket and CPU Core. CPU Socket is great for idle temps, but is 5-15C higher when at load, while the CPU Core temps are most accurate at load, but provide weird, often sub-ambient, temperatures when at idle.

So the HWmonitor Package temperatures, and the other program that isn't AI Suite, is what you should pay attention to when at load. Happy overclocking!
 
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