How Accurate Is Core Temp

good question, i have wondered the same. I think that core temp reports temps that are higher then reality, tho this might just be wishfull thinking on my part.

Real Temp looks good. It shows 5 degrees less then Speed Fan which shows 7 degrees less then Core Temp.

Since I think the number for Core Temp were way too high using stock, I feel comfortable ignoring it. I guess I won't worry until I see dangerous numbers with Speed Fan or Real Temp.

Thanks.

Im pretty sure that if your reading 85 its quite close, look up the cooler guide toms came out with just a few months ago, with all of them they used, the stock fans just barely cooled the processors enough, and that is using the word loosely. Now if you had a decent after market cooler to throw in there, and then see if it is cooler, and a improvement, that would be ideal. Also radio shack sells temperature sensors for under 20 bucks, could always go pick one up and use it, instead of trusting software

^Wrong. The C2Ds, Phenoms have a DTS, and the BIOS dose not read the correct temps via DTS most of the time.

Like Comp said calibrate SpeedFan.

Shadow703793, sorry, but just to keep it straight, BIOS reports CPU temperature (Tcase) and the DTS reports Core temperatures (Tjunction).

gomerpile, BIOS is not always correct, and DTS means Digital Thermal Sensors, which are located within each Core. Also, there is no Analog Thermal Sensor located "under" the CPU. The erra of the thermocouple in the motherboard socket under the CPU is history. Today's modern processors have the Analog Thermal Sensor integrated within the processor die. From the Core 2 Quad and Duo Temperature Guide: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] ture-guide


Section 1: Introduction

Intel provides separate thermal specifications for 2 different sensor types; a CPU Case (not computer case) Thermal Diode located within the CPU die between the Cores, and Digital Thermal Sensors located within each Core. The Case Thermal Diode measures Tcase (Temperature Case), which is CPU temp, and the Digital Thermal Sensors measure Tjunction (Temperature Junction), which is Core temp. Since these sensors measure 2 distinct thermal levels, there is a constant temperature gradient between them, which is Tcase to Junction Delta. C2Q`s have 1 Tcase and 4 Junction sensors, while C2D`s have 1 Tcase and 2 Junction sensors.

Section 5: Findings

(A) Tcase is acquired on the CPU Die from the CPU Case Thermal Diode as an analog level, which is converted to a digital value by the super I/O chip on the motherboard. The digital value is BIOS Calibrated and displayed by temperature software. BIOS Calibration affects the accuracy of Tcase, or CPU temperature.

(B) Tjunction is acquired within the Cores from Thermal Diodes as analog levels, which are converted to digital values by the Digital Thermal Sensors (DTS) within each Core. The digital values are Factory Calibrated and displayed by temperature software. Factory Calibration affects the accuracy of Tjunction, or Core temperatures.

(C) Tcase and Tjunction are both acquired from Thermal Diodes. Tcase and Tjunction analog to digital (A to D) conversions are executed by separate devices in different locations. BIOS Calibrations from motherboard manufacturers, Factory Calibrations from Intel, and popular temperature utilities are frequently inaccurate.


I hope this clears up any misconceptions.

Comp