Yes, yes, another thread on temperatures. I've had problems since I got this damned computer with temperatures. ;p

When I first installed the stock fan on my Q6600 B3, it was running at (hottest core with a 10C difference between it and the lowest core) 60C for the most part. Load temperatures would climb in to the mid 70s and during Prime 95 on about the third or fourth test, it hit 80C where I stopped the test. The first thing I did was disable smart fan control, as it didn't seem to run the stock fan at full speed even with these high temperatures.

Disabling the smart fan ramped the RPM way up, and I didn't really mind the extra noise. Temperatures for each core lowered 10C and load temps would rarely go past the mid or high 60s. When I mention the temperatures, I'm going by Core Temp and Speed Fan (I did the 15C offset for Speed Fan and the temperatures are exactly the same in both programs). I figured, oh well, that's not too bad. I have plenty of room in case of some really stressful thing before throttling etc. etc.

Today, however, I noticed something very concerning. While trying to run a game in windowed mode, I checked my temperatures to see that they had gone up to 72-74C while the game was running. After closing it, my idle temperatures (and after multiple system restarts checking to make sure fan control wasn't switched back) are 59-62C. My fan is now running 2235RPM, which I confirmed in the BIOS. However, I seem to remember it running at 3000ish RPM before with smart fan disabled. I also noted on the Intel website that at max power, it should be running at some 3300 RPM.

Now, a while ago when I was still figuring out the temperature situation, I checked the heatsink's aluminum fins or whatever they are to see if they were hot. The aluminum fins are, in fact, hot to the touch, implying that at least some heat is being transferred to the heatsink. As for case airflow, I have an XCLIO Windtunnel, so I highly doubt that that is the underlying issue.

Another thing that bothered me was that I had gone in to the BIOS with the intention of slightly undervolting the processor, given that I'm at, and will probably remain at stock speed. However, changing the voltage in the BIOS did seemingly nothing, as when I went back in Core Temp, the processor still was going at its stock voltage at load (however, it's lower at idle).

One final concern is that I went in the BIOS to see the temperatures to compare it to what I'm getting in Windows. My BIOS temperature for the processor is very, very safe (though it's not the four core temperatures, just the one), and the case temperature is very close to the same value.

As for the temperature of the room I'm in, it's generally around 78-82F (though there hasn't been any significant changes in room temperature during the above values). I also checked the CPU utilization, and during idle periods, it's hovering at some 7%.

So now I don't know what to do. I do plan on replacing the motherboard, CPU, and GPU in a little less than a year (with one of the new processors). Assuming that I do decide to do that, should I even worry about my CPU temperatures at all unless they're reaching 80C+? Should I be concerned about what I perceived as a drop in the fan's RPM or is it not a big deal? Finally, is it worth investing in a new CPU cooler? I have no intentions of removing the motherboard again to install a CPU cooler, so I was thinking the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro if the above should concern me.

Thanks

EDIT: Just looked at the BIOS temperatures...it's listing the System temperature at 41C and the CPU temperature at 38C. I have a Gigabyte P35 (DS3R I believe). I read online that BIOS temperatures should be ~60% CPU usage temperatures, but of course, the internet is often wrong. I'm just totally confused! =(

Daves255, when checking CPU temp in BIOS, the system is at Idle, and should indicate a similar CPU temperature with SpeedFan at Idle. To be certain that your CPU temp is accurate, and that you have a clear understanding of CPU and Core thermal relationships, check out the following Sticky - Core 2 Quad and Duo Temperature Guide: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] ture-guide

Be sure to check the Calibrations in Section 9 for the CPU as well as all 4 Cores. Remember that the CPU temperature is more critical than Core temperatures. Also, I agree with your thinking about replacing the stock cooler with the A/C Freezer 7 Pro, since the stock cooler is barely adequate.

Comp

Dave - I'd recommend ditching the barely adequate OEM Intel cooler for one of (a rather large list of) the excellent aftermarket CPU coolers. You can choose from some of the best for the cost of around $60 shipped and the effort of unplugging/removing your mobo, removing and replacing the lump you have sitting there now, and re-installing.

Even if you only "need" to do so for personal peace of mind...

Sorry, I don't mean to sound dense, but I went through the guide and am still quite confused. What exactly in the motherboard reporting to me for CPU temperature? When you say CPU temperature is more critical than core temperature, assuming my CPU temperature in the BIOS is correct for idle, would that mean that the Core Temp and Speedfan temperatures both require a large offset to make them match the CPU temp in the BIOS (or if I'm wrong about that, 10Cish above the case temperature measured in the BIOS?)? I guess I'm still a bit confused on the terminology and what exactly my BIOS is telling me.

EDIT: So I've read through the guide again. Basically what I need to do is measure the ambient temperature, measure the case temperature in the BIOS, figure out which one is the case temperature, set it to what I saw in the BIOS, and then check temperatures?

Daves255, as stated in the Guide, CPU temperature and Core temperatures are acquired from separate sensors in different locations which read thermal levels about 10c apart from one another. Tcase refers to Temperature Case, which means the "CPU Case" or Die, and has nothing to do with the term "Computer Case" or "System" temperature, or Motherboard temperature. CPU temp and Core temp should never match, but are expected to be about 10c apart on a Quad Core. Whether at Idle or Load, the Cores are always hottest, since this is where heat originates, and is measured as "Core" temperature, which is also referred to as Tjunction, or Temperature Junction. Hottest to coolest Cores should typically not exceed 5c on Quads.

To complicate things further, the very popular utlility "Core Temp" wrongly shows Tjunction 100c, where it should instead show Tjunction MAX 100c. As this display field is intended to simply show Intel's specification for Maximum Junction Temperature, it is NOT a functional temperature, but is instead merely a specification. Since most users find this very confusing, I've asked Arthur Liberman, the author of Core Temp, to correct this improper use of terminology in his next version of Core Temp.

BIOS measures "CPU Case" or Die temperature, which is why there is only a single CPU temperature shown in BIOS, and should indicate a few degrees above ambient room temp, only IF the motherboard manufacturer has the correct thermal tables within BIOS, and only IF BIOS is set up properly. This is the same temp you see in SpeedFan which is typically shown as "CPU" temp. SpeedFan will show all 5 Quad temps which are 1 CPU and 4 Cores, while Core Temp shows only the 4 Core temperatures.

Carefully read the Sections on Interpretation, Thermal Flow and Findings for more clarification. The goal is to perform the Calibrations in Section 9 to verify that your CPU temperature is correct, as well as your 4 Core Temperatures. Since Intel defines a meaningful specification only for Maximum Case Temperature (again, NOT to be confused with "Computer Case" ), Tcase (CPU temp) is the more critical temperature, because Maximum Junction Temperatures (Core temps) are extremely hot at 100c.

Tjunction Max 100c is "Shutdown". Not only does this mean that the computer will turn off, but it also means that Tcase (CPU) temp would be about 90c, due to the constant 10c +/-3 difference or "Delta" between the two separate temps. 90c would far exceed the spec for Tcase Max, which is just 62c for your B3 Stepping. At Tcase (CPU) temp of 62c, Tjunction (Hottest Core) should only be about 72c. Safe and stable temps would then be 50c CPU and 60c Hottest Core. (See the Scale Section for the Q6600 B3). This is why Tcase (the single CPU temp) is so critical, and why it's important to get it Calibrated, as well as the Cores.

If your still not clear on how temperatures function, then read the Guide again, ask whatever you're unsure of, and I'll answer your questions.

Comp

I understand now! Thanks! I was a bit confused on "case", but I understand it now. Thank you.

I'm not taking the time to read that ass load of writing but if any cpu hits 80c you should be worrying

Daves255, you're quite welcome. Let me know the results from your calibrations. This will help to tell us what the problem isn't, so that we can reveal what cooling issue(s) may remain.

Comp

I have no current way of measuring ambient temperature besides just feeling the air. As of now, I'm just going to avoid doing anything that might stress the CPU and am planning on getting the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro. At least if the temperature issue remains I can at least have peace of mind that I did my best to fix it ;p. Ultimately the temperatures don't really matter all that much to me if it is going to run at stock speed for 8ish more months, so I'm not too worried any more.

Again, your replies both in this thread and in the forums in general (I read through most of the posts you've made in the forums to try and learn something) are greatly appreciated!


Thank you very much.

Daves255, glad to be of some help. Good luck and enjoy your rig!

Comp

As an update, I installed the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro and my core temperatures are at 37/36/31/31C after checking the calibrations and all that! =D

Daves255, good results for your Cores. How well did your CPU temp calibrate?

Comp

It didn't appear to need any offsets besides the 15C offset, as all temperatures are within their expected ranges (tcase is around 2 degrees hotter than ambient, hottest core is around 9 degrees hotter than tcase). Load temperatures only show about a 10-12C increase in the hottest core. I'm very pleased with the results of the Freezer 7 Pro.

Daves255, that's great news. I'm glad to know that all your temperature calibrations turned out well, and that you're happy with the cooler. Good job!

Comp