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Idle Temp Core 2 Duo

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bloodandsoil   03-18-2007 at 01:37:07 AM

Hi I just put together my new system last night. It's a C2D E6600 with a Tuniq Tower. Motherboard is an Asus P5b-Deluxe inside an Antec P180g case.

I was sitting at the hardware monitor in the BIOS and the CPU temp was at about 46 degrees celsius. Is this a normal idle temp?

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Assman   03-18-2007 at 01:43:36 AM
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don't think it's normal, my e6400 @3.2 idles 41-42C, make sure you've mounted tuniq correctly, also make sure you haven't used too much thermal paste

Reply to Assman
bloodandsoil   03-18-2007 at 01:54:36 AM
- 0 +

Thanks!

From the instructions:

Quote :

3) Break-In Period
Due to the unique shape and sizes of the particles in Arctic Silver 5 conductive matrix, it will take a up to 200 hours and several thermal cycles to achieve maximum particle to particle thermal conduction and for the heatsink to CPU interface to reach maximum conductivity. (This period will be longer in a system without a fan on the heatsink or with a low speed fan on the heatsink.) On systems measuring actual internal core temperatures via the CPU's internal diode, the measured temperature will often drop 2C to 5C over this "break-in" period. This break-in will occur during the normal use of the computer as long as the computer is turned off from time to time and the interface is allowed to cool to room temperature. Once the break-in is complete, the computer can be left on if desired.



Could be that this is the case with my system, since it's brand-new? I just put it together last night.

Reply to bloodandsoil
Assman   03-18-2007 at 01:55:57 AM
- 0 +

don't think so, 46 idle with tuniq is a little too high (@stock)

Reply to Assman
Tostino   03-18-2007 at 02:04:35 AM
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Quote :

Thanks!

From the instructions:

3) Break-In Period
Due to the unique shape and sizes of the particles in Arctic Silver 5 conductive matrix, it will take a up to 200 hours and several thermal cycles to achieve maximum particle to particle thermal conduction and for the heatsink to CPU interface to reach maximum conductivity. (This period will be longer in a system without a fan on the heatsink or with a low speed fan on the heatsink.) On systems measuring actual internal core temperatures via the CPU's internal diode, the measured temperature will often drop 2C to 5C over this "break-in" period. This break-in will occur during the normal use of the computer as long as the computer is turned off from time to time and the interface is allowed to cool to room temperature. Once the break-in is complete, the computer can be left on if desired.



Could be that this is the case with my system, since it's brand-new? I just put it together last night.No that's not it.
Your heatsink is most likely either not mounted correctly (not making full contact with the cpu surface), or you used too much/little thermal paste.

Reply to Tostino
bloodandsoil   03-18-2007 at 02:06:03 AM
- 0 +

I didn't apply my Arctic Silver 5 according to these instructions.

I just smeared an even layer of paste over the entire surface of the CPU heatspreader and then plopped the heatsink on top of it and mounted it down. I never knew that was the wrong way to do it! :o

So let me get this right. According to these instructions, thermal paste would NOT be applied on the entire heatspreader. It would just be smeared in a vertical line mostly in the center of the heatspreader?

That seems so counter-intuitive to me! Sure that's right?

Maybe I should let it set the way it is now for a couple days and get a solid idea of the idle temp, and then after that redo the paste according to these instructions and see if it actually improves the temp?

Reply to bloodandsoil
Tostino   03-18-2007 at 02:13:53 AM
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It will improve, but it could be a lot better if you just re-mounted it with the proper amount of paste. From the way you said you did it, it seems like you put a bit more then you really need on the cpu. All the paste is for is to fill in the microscopic lines in the metal of the heatsink, and heat spreader so you get full contact.

What most people don't realize is that metal to metal contact is always better then metal to thermal paste to metal contact for heat transfer. So if you had a PERFECTLY flat heatsink, and cpu heat spreader, you would not want ANY thermal paste, because it would only constrict heat flow.

But alas, you will never get two perfectly flat pieces of metal, so the paste will just fill in all contact area that would not be touching otherwise.

Reply to Tostino
bloodandsoil   03-18-2007 at 02:16:46 AM
- 0 +

That makes perfect sense. And when you put it that way, I now realize that I put way too much thermal paste. I really put it on thick! :lol:

I'll fix it when I get home tonight.

Reply to bloodandsoil
CompuTronix   03-18-2007 at 02:54:30 AM
- 0 +

Although the proper application of Thermal Interface Material is an important detail, your Idle temp in BIOS of 46c is not normal. It's not even close. The answer may simply be the temp is "offset" due to incorrect thermal tables stored in BIOS.

For info regarding correct temps, links, testing and results, check out the following Sticky:

Core 2 Duo Temperature Guide

Hope this helps,

Comp 8)

Reply to CompuTronix
bloodandsoil   03-18-2007 at 03:16:49 AM
- 0 +

From the Core 2 Duo Temperature Guide:

Quote :

(E) 965 chipsets may misreport Tcase and Tjunction temperatures with +/-15c offsets.



I have an Asus P5B-Deluxe (P965 chipset)...

Just to verify; the BIOS temp monitor is reporting Tcase correct?

Reply to bloodandsoil
CompuTronix   03-18-2007 at 03:23:25 AM
- 0 +

Yes, that's correct. BIOS is Tcase Idle, and should typically be a few degrees above ambient, unless Vcore is high and cooling is poor.

Comp 8)

Reply to CompuTronix
randomizer   03-18-2007 at 03:35:15 AM
- 0 +

Or the BIOS is screwed.
@OP: Make sure you got the latest version just in case its wrong.

Reply to randomizer
bloodandsoil   03-18-2007 at 03:36:31 AM
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Since I have a P965 chipset, it's possible that my BIOS is reporting the Tcase up to an offset of +15c (meaning that my actual Tcase could be 46c - 15c = 31c) right?

Is SpeedFan reading from the same sensor? That is, using SpeedFan, would I have the same +15c offset as my BIOS hardware monitor? Or would SpeedFan show the actual Tcase temp?

Reply to bloodandsoil
CompuTronix   03-18-2007 at 03:51:59 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

Since I have a P965 chipset, it's possible that my BIOS is reporting the Tcase up to an offset of +15c, right (meaning that my actual Tcase could be 46c - 15c = 31c)?



That's probably correct, however, it's possible that your Tcase is offset by +20c, and Idle is actually 26c. Without knowing what your variables are, I can't provide an accurate answer, and this still says nothing regarding Tjunction (core) temps.

Quote :

Is SpeedFan reading from the same sensor? That is, using SpeedFan, would I have the same +15c offset as my BIOS hardware monitor? Or would SpeedFan show the actual Tcase temp?



Yes, but just as any software may misread temps, SpeedFan may not agree with BIOS. Fortunately, offsets can be configured in SpeedFan for corrections, so you can finally have a single monitoring program which will show accurate temps.

Comp 8)

Reply to CompuTronix
bloodandsoil   03-18-2007 at 06:58:17 AM
- 0 +

OK I reapplied the thermal paste according to the instructions posted here (single vertical line, smeared 2 degrees in each direction by the heatsink)...

I'll report tomorrow if it changed my idle temp in my BIOS hardware monitor...

Reply to bloodandsoil
Grimmy   03-18-2007 at 09:57:44 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

don't think it's normal, my e6400 @3.2 idles 41-42C, make sure you've mounted tuniq correctly, also make sure you haven't used too much thermal paste



When you say Idle.. in Windows?

When your in the Bios, it has a load on the CPU, so it's not running idle. The usage is going to be somewhat high, and the bios runs like a DOS app. So without Windows power management, your going to have higher temp reading when your in the bios settings.

So I'd say his 46C would prolly be okay, and should be lower in Windows once he has it installed.

Reply to Grimmy
endyen   03-18-2007 at 10:11:02 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

What most people don't realize is that metal to metal contact is always better then metal to thermal paste to metal contact for heat transfer. So if you had a PERFECTLY flat heatsink, and cpu heat spreader, you would not want ANY thermal paste, because it would only constrict heat flow


Well said, and well worth repeating.

Reply to endyen
bloodandsoil   03-21-2007 at 01:20:13 AM
- 0 +

Updated my BIOS and now it's saying 37 degrees while sitting at the BIOS hardware monitor. Is 37 acceptable?

Reply to bloodandsoil
CompuTronix   03-21-2007 at 01:27:09 AM
- 0 +

To whom are you replying? 37c in BIOS is too high for Idle.

Comp 8)

Reply to CompuTronix
Spidubic   03-21-2007 at 02:00:14 AM
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My C2D idles between 28-30. Under full gaming load it might hit 41.

Reply to Spidubic
CompuTronix   03-21-2007 at 02:07:36 AM
- 0 +

To which temps are you refering, at what clock, at what Vcore, at what ambient, using what cooler, and how do you know if it's accurate? It's important to be specific. From the Core 2 Duo Temperature Guide:

Quote :

Background

...Some users also may not know that C2D's feature 3 sensors at 2 different temperatures; a single on-die Tcase sensor (between the cores), and dual Tjunction sensors (one within each core). Consequently, there is much confusion regarding specifications, calibration offsets and test methods, so results can be difficult to decipher and compare. Therefore, when expressing Idle & Load test results, it's also necessary to define the variables such as:

Tcase = Idle & Load
Tjunction = Idle & Load, Hottest Core

Ambient = Room Temp
Chipset = Model
C2D = Model
CPU Cooler = Model
Frequency = CPU Clock
Load = Test Program
Motherboard = Model
Vcore = CPU Voltage...



Hope this helps,

Comp 8)

Reply to CompuTronix
bloodandsoil   03-21-2007 at 02:34:43 AM
- 0 +

I'll have to look into that more. I'm just using the "Hardware Monitor" from within the BIOS of my P5B-Deluxe motherboard. From what I understand, this is reporting TCase Idle.

I don't know if it's accurate! How do I find out if it's accurate?

Reply to bloodandsoil
CompuTronix   03-21-2007 at 03:05:05 AM
- 0 +

Just read the Core 2 Duo Temperature Guide, download TAT and SpeedFan 4.32 from the links in the "Tools" section, then test your rig as shown under the "Testing" section, and post your "Results" and "Variables" so I can analyze your temps.

Hope this helps,

Comp 8)

Reply to CompuTronix
bloodandsoil   03-21-2007 at 01:04:01 PM
- 0 +

Alright, this is probably not in the format that you exactly want, but I'll give it a shot anyhow.

Using TAT with 0% workload, CPU 0 and CPU 1 both report a Digital Temp that fluctuates between 25°C and 27°C.

Using TAT with 100% workload, CPU 0 reports a Digital Temp of 45°C and CPU 1 reports a Digital Temp of 43°C.

SpeedFan shows the following at idle:

System 33C
CPU 36C
AUX 127C
HD0 34C
Core 0 25C
Core 1 25C

Using 100% workload with TAT, SpeedFan shows the following:

System 33C
CPU 54C
AUX 127C
HD0 34C
Core 0 47C
Core 1 45C

Reply to bloodandsoil
CompuTronix   03-21-2007 at 06:34:22 PM
- 0 +

bloodandsoil, thanks for the temp info, but I also need your rig info, (variables), as shown below:

Quote :

Background

...when expressing Idle & Load test results, it's also necessary to define the variables such as:

Tcase = Idle & Load
Tjunction = Idle & Load, Hottest Core

Ambient = Room Temp
Chipset = Model
C2D = Model
CPU Cooler = Model
Frequency = CPU Clock
Load = Test Program
Motherboard = Model
Vcore = CPU Voltage



Thanks,

Comp 8)

Reply to CompuTronix
bloodandsoil   03-22-2007 at 01:17:37 AM
- 0 +

Ambient = 17C approximately
Chipset = P965 chipset
C2D = E6600
CPU Cooler = Tuniq Tower 120
Frequency = 2400 MHz
Load = TAT
Motherboard = Asus P5B-Deluxe
Vcore = 1.14V

By the way, SpeedFan and TAT are reporting lower temperatures this morning. Not sure if it's due to ambient heat being lower this morning, or maybe because my system has been off all night and so it's still cold. Here are this mornings results.

SpeedFan reports this morning (idle):

System: 29C
CPU: 31C
AUX: 127C
HD0: 28C
Core 0: 22C
Core 1: 22C

And TAT reports this morning (idle):

CPU 0 Digital Temp 23C
CPU 1 Digital Temp 23C

With 100% workload on TAT, SpeedFan reports this morning:

System 31C
CPU 50C
AUX 127C
HD0 30C
CPU 0 44C
CPU 1 43C

And with 100% workload on TAT, TAT reports this morning:

CPU 0 43C
CPU 1 41C

Reply to bloodandsoil
CompuTronix   03-22-2007 at 07:13:52 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

Ambient = 17C
Chipset = P965
C2D = E6600
CPU Cooler = Tuniq Tower 120
Frequency = 2.4 GHz
Load = TAT 100% 10 Minutes
Motherboard = Asus P5B-Deluxe
Vcore = 1.14V

SpeedFan and TAT are reporting lower temperatures this morning.

SpeedFan Idle:
CPU: 31C
Core: 22C
TAT: 23C

SpeedFan Load:
CPU: 50C
Core: 44C
TAT: 43C



Although NO temps can Idle below Ambient, it's likely that your computer intake is at floor level, which may be slightly cooler than a hallway thermostat. It appears that Tcase is offset by +15c, and Tjunction is offset by -5c. If you use the "Offsets" section of the Guide to configure SpeedFan for a -15c CPU offset and +5c Core offsets, these corrections will display temps that conform to Load specs (Tcase + ~15c = Tjunction) and "Parameters", and make sense relative to your low Ambient and Vcore with a Tuniq Tower.

Corrected Results:

SpeedFan Idle:
CPU: 16C
Core: 27C
TAT: 28C

SpeedFan Load:
CPU: 35C
Core: 49C
TAT: 48C

Hope this helps,

Comp 8)

Reply to CompuTronix
bloodandsoil   03-22-2007 at 07:34:23 AM
- 0 +

So, basically, would everyone agree that my temperatures are normal and acceptable now? Previously, everyone was saying that they were too high. Thanks.

Reply to bloodandsoil
CompuTronix   03-22-2007 at 07:47:55 AM
- 0 +

I don't know about "everyone", but speaking with some small degree (no pun intended) of knowledge on the topic, I can say that your temps are well within norms, and you have plenty of OC ceiling, so you're cleared to crank her up! :D You can push up to an OC / overvolt that TAT tests Tcase to 55c and Tjunction to 70c at 22c Ambient. Orthos or Prime95 should then test Tcase to 50c and Tjunction to 65c. :trophy:

Hope this answers your question, and enjoy your rig! :D

Comp 8)

Reply to CompuTronix
bloodandsoil   03-24-2007 at 01:00:51 PM
- 0 +

Little bit of a follow-up here. Is it normal that my TAT (idle) reports 22C in the morning when I first turn on my PC, but then when I leave it on all day (still idle), by the time I come home from work, it reports a higher temperature of 27C?

Reply to bloodandsoil
Grimmy   03-24-2007 at 01:55:02 PM
- 0 +

Pretty much. Depending on how much heat build up you get in you PC case (the amount of airflow). Keep in mind your CPU isn't the only component that gives off heat.

So room temp will also effect your total air cooling.

Reply to Grimmy
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