Ok, so I set up my E8400 processor on an older Asus P5W DH Deluxe board. I ended up resetting the BIOS as part of the installation process, so things should be pretty clean.

But I'm seeing 0.976 as the "core voltage" using CPU-Z. That seems way low! What are other E8400 owners seeing?

Clint

Is speedstep enabled?

OMG! That is just SICK!!!!

I looked at the XBITs lab review and they were seeing much higher than that.

I need to go change my shorts now.....

Interesting question. Can you tell me quickly how to check that, preferably without re-booting my machine?

I'm running Prime95 now for about 10 minutes, and still not seeing the voltage going over 0.984v. Both cores have been pegged.

Clint

Well, Speedstep wouldn't be running under load...

On top of that, you can minimize the voltages, which I take you haven't.

Woo, how low can it get?

45nm cpu use lower voltage than 65 nm cpu, so if it pass loading test, then do not worry about. by the way the cpu heatsink size tells same story. lower temp means lower heat.

I put on the stock HS/fan just for giggles, and it's kept the CPU under 43C while running 2 copies of Prime95. I think it's 28 at idle. When I reassemble, I'll probably put my Scythe Ninja back on and see if I can go fanless. It sure was nice to use a small cooler though, especially in a cramped case.

I'm not really worried about the voltage; everything is running fine. I just hadn't seen any other readings under 1v for this processor. I think the Intel noted voltage was 1.225v. I was just wondering if anyone else was seeing a core voltage under 1.00, I guess. I am curious now how far this thing will overclock, though. But my current motherboard won't support that, although I could try cranking the voltage up to stock first, before I give it up. My first passes were not particularly successful.

Thanks for the input, all!

Clint

Really wierd that it is under 1 volt. You could probably passively cool it with a large heatsink. Other than that, I don't know what to tell you.

Here is the VID for a E8400 (from Intel website): 0.85V – 1.3625V. I ordered one from NewEgg this morning (they are in stock).

http://processorfinder.intel.com/d [...] spec=slapl

In Coretemp, the VID is 1.0375 for idle, and 1.1125 under load. I think the P5KC bios may be faulty, as it is deliverying 1.2v according to CPU-Z to the processor.
I am gonna go play around in the BIOS.
Edit: In BIOS, it is using 1.185V. I am wondering if the reading in CPU-Z is correct now.
Edit2: it is reading 1.2V in Asus probe/Speedfan too. There isn't a change of core voltage when I load the processor. So I think my EIST isn't working correctly. Seems likely the BIOS isn't mature enough.
Edit3: trying to go under 1.1125V in BIOS, but what do you know, it isn't available 0___0 I am gonna try using 1.1125 and see what temperatures it gives me
Edit4: I am blind, I found 1.1V Using it now. I guess I'll let it settle in for awhile, and see what it did to my idle and load temp. (39/45 before the change. it is kinda warm in my room today).

I'll check my voltage when i get home.
I ran prime95 (2 instances to get both cores loaded)
No Fan
Extreme120 heat sink.
Never went over 31deg.

^Now thats whit I call

That is *HOTT*

Edit: BTW I think that something is probably reading the voltage wrong. Even with all the gains in technology I don't think it would run stably at full load @ lower than stock idle voltage.

-mcg

It's possible. Intel states .85v-1.3625v. And remember it has 2 new features. First it is 45nm meaning less voltage and less heat. Second it uses HK/MG also meaning less voltage, less heat and faster switching.

When they compared a QX6850 to a QX9650 the latter ran 15-20c coolser and when OC'ed to 3.8GHz the QX9650 only used 1.35v which is the same as the QX6850 at stock. So I can see it running that low.

Basically you might have a diamond CPU there meaning you can probably OC to a nice high level with a lower voltage. Thats a nice!!!!!!!!!!!!

you will be surprised how many intel cpu run under stock idle voltage
my xeon 3210 run 3.2 Ghz under 1.165 idle 1.136v under load.(1.200 bios)

Hmmm, cpuz reports my 5600+ at 1.19v even if I hard code the voltage in the BIOS to 1.35. Could be the BIOS or cpuz mis-reporting. I should be getting my E8400 today so we'll see...

search vdrop and vdroop on google

1.19v for me @3.8GHZ 52C at full load -with stock heat sink and fan ;p