My Scary New X6800 :(

Results

Tcase = Idle(41speedfan) & Load 64
Tjunction = Idle (43core1 43core 2 [speedfan]) & Load 65/65 hottest Core

Variables

Ambient = 22c
Chipset = eVGA 680i A1
C2Q / C2D = X6800
CPU Cooler = Zalman 9700NT 100%
Frequency = 2930 (stock) 11x266
Load = Orthos
Motherboard = 680i
Stepping = B2
vcore: 1.325 bios 1.29 windows idle 1.27 orthos

My concern is my CPU Temp with all my case fans running at max speed, and the zalman at full blast I get a reported idle desktop temp of 41 (@2900mhz 11x266 Now Dont forget).

Is it Reading Tcase or Tjunction correctly? Does this X6800 seems to need a Tcase offset?

I tried reseating the heatsink twice without much difference.

[IDLE]
Bios Reads: 41C
Ntune Reads:41C
SpeedFan Reads: CPU: 41
Core1:43
Core2:43
Coretemp0.95 Core1:43
Core2:43

Needs a -14C Tcase offset? If so that means overclocking this sucker will be scary with such a major negative offset. ????

I'd get a refund and get a new one, or as suggested get a Q6600.

My Tcase sits at 30 all day running 25% load on all cores. Never goes over 44-45 Full load.

Was there any MB bios updates to fix any temp readings?

Do ya have plenty of airflow through the case?

The Tcase reading looks way off, if the cores are at 43C, then the tcase should be around 28-33C.

I assume you've read the temperature guide for C2Ds.

Hmmm... well I'd agree if it was (4pin) stock, but Zalman 9700?

It's just the core temps vs tcase temp that I wonder about. That's a difference of 2C. Somethings wrong, but I don't think re-seating it will change that.

Edit:

Just to be sure I'm reading his post right:

Tcase = Idle(41speedfan)

Coretemp0.95 Core1:43
Core2:43

No reason to be a DELETED

i think there is a valid point and that is unlike p4's the c2d do not like high multipliers so the hole unlocked cpu is really worthless

i was tuning a qx6700 barebones for shippment i had to turned the multiper down for max oc at the right voltage


the x6800 is a great used chip -it will give you nice 3.7ghz with a older chipset like 975x

if your using a p35/x38 they run fast and high fsb so then you should use the new chips


bottom line a used x6800 is a great deal for some people - new - who buy;s new EE chips???? not me!

o ya many of my customers due - they are called "early adopters" and it makes them happy just to know they have the latest greatest.

are you using the arctic silver thermal paste?

The maximum temperature for a X6800 is 64.5. You are there. It could be throttling.
I think the temperatures you are seeing are probably accurate, at least they are consistent. If you want to do better, consider some thoughts:
1) I think you probably mounted the cooler properly. You got the same consistent results each time.
2) Is it possible that the cooler could be defective? If one or more of the heat pipes did not function, you would get higher temps.
3) Consider changing to a thermalright ultra 120 extreme. It is the best around. Here is an anandtech review: http://www.anandtech.com/casecooli [...] i=2981&p=3 It also has some numbers for your cooler, which at a high overclock, runs 15c higher. Also note though, that at idle, their zalman was considerably cooler than yours.
4) Do you have a hot vga card in the case? Does it need a cooler that expels the hot air outside the case? Take the sides off, and see what results you get by directing a house fan at the innards. If the temps get much better, then work on case cooling.

vpsaline, I have already addressed your temperature concerns in your parallel thread: New X6800 questions??? - http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] s#t1737897 - SpeedFan 4.32 and 4.33 BOTH correctly interpret Tjunction MAX 85c for B2 Stepping processors, such as the X6800. As I pointed out in your other thread, you correctly Validated your Tjunction (Core) temperatures using the Calibrations Section - Parts 3 & 4 of the Guide, however, you simply need to apply the Offsets correction for Tcase (CPU), which again, you've already determined to be -16c using the Calibrations Section - Parts 1 & 2.

geofelt, the Maximum Tcase specification of 64.5 which you provided is incorrect. From Intel's Processor Finder: Intel® Core 2 Extreme Processor X6800 - http://processorfinder.intel.com/d [...] Spec=SL9S5

The correct specification is 60.4c, which is shown rounded off to 60c, in Section 6, Scale 5 of the Core 2 Quad and Duo Temperature Guide: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] ture-guide

From the Guide:

"...Section 6: Scale...

...Scale 5: Duo

E6x00: Tcase Max 61c, L2 Stepping, Tjunction Max 100c, Vcore Default 1.325, TDP 65w, Delta 15c

-Tcase/Tjunction-
--60--/--75--75-- Hot
--55--/--70--70-- Warm
--50--/--65--65-- Safe
--25--/--40--40-- Cool..."

The Calibration procedure takes computer case cooling into account, as it is performed using an Idle Test Setup that specifies 1.6Ghz and 1.25 Vcore which consumes minimal power, and requires all fans at 100% RPM with covers removed. While vpsaline's Load temperatures are maxed out with a closed computer case, you are correct that his case cooling could use improvement.

captain_tr iton, your statement is somewhat less polite than what is customary here on Tom's. I suggest that in the future, you choose your words more carefully.

Comp

@CompuTronix; Thanks for the correction, I should have gone to the source:Intel. I used the following reference which was not specific as to which of the several temperatures were the maximum, and what happened if you reached it. http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/143/5
You might want to look at it for other errors.

Still, it looks to me like the OP's cpu is running hot, and could use some cooling help, regardless of the specific number.

You forget three things:

1. Resistance changes as the temperature changes, so an increase in temperature above a certain point (somewhere under 100 C for the desktop chips) changes the resistance enough to allow more current to flow through the chip. More current = more heat, and the cycle continues until the CPU does disintegrate.

2. There is a fair bit of solder holding connections together. Melting that ruins the CPU also, and solder melts at 150-200 C IIRC (not so sure about the temps of new tin-based lead-free stuff exactly.)

3. Doping is a chemical process and the dopants start to migrate well before the silicon melts. This turns your semiconducting transistor into much more of an insulator.

Basically, #1 is the biggest reason why the temp limits are what they are. If you notice, the temperature ratings for chips in a certain line are not necessarily all the same and scale down with increasing power draw for this very reason.

I agree that it sounds more like case cooling issues rather than improper HSF installation - an X6800 would likely reach a lot higher temp if that were the case. Using a stock Intel cooler you would likely see those temps from it.

whats wrong with my case if at stock settings my cpu reaches

--50--/--65--65-- Safe on load orthos? It leaves me a 10C headroom to overclock correct?

Yep, my bad.. I thought he was running a Quad. I deleted the original post already because I was going to re-post an edited version but I was too late before someone else read it.

Timinator, as I've said many times, since we're discussing 2 separate temperatures at 2 distinct levels, it's important to be specific, or the topic of temperatures is quickly reduced to Apples (CPU) and Oranges (Core) thermal fruit salad, which becomes very confusing for those who may be reading these posts, and are struggling to make sense of it.

Since I'm just trying to help make the world of Intel Core 2 processor temperatures more understandable with my Guide, and by one post at a time, I appreciate all the help I can get, so which temperatures are you referring to, and at what ambient?

Thanks,

Comp

He just sent me a very nasty and childish PM. I hope that you're not the next victim.

Well, I just received another PM, which was unprovoked, and even more insulting than the previous, both of which I shall be happy to pass on to the Moderators. This person is quickly revealing a vicious nature, and should be permanently banned.