too much difference in core temperatures

Hello,

I have a Q6600 running at 2.7Ghz with stock heat sink fan. The MSI motherboard utility detects the CPU temperature in the 30-35 degrees range. But after using Core Temp my PC temperature reads at 60, 57, 51, 56. Which of the two reading is the correct one? Also, what alarms me is the big difference in core temperatures.

My question is: What is the average core temperature differences of a Q6600?

Thanks in advance.

I understand that 4 different cores would have different temperatures. But why such a big discrepency between core 1 and core 3 temperatures? Is a 9-degree difference in core temperatures normal? Should i reset the heat sink fan?

Thanks again.

Normally it has to do with how tight each screw of the heat sink is, but with the stock intel HSF there is no way to adjust it and for the same reason it shouldn't be a problem. Check if your heatsink is locked firmly in every corner. You could also try pressing the HSF hard with your hands during a Prime95 session with 4 cores loaded and hold it there for a few minutes, in order for the stock thermal paste to spread evenly.

Its most likely the DTS (digital thermal sensor) itself thats a bit off, I do know a way to bring them closer but you may not want to do it. Lapping both the HSF and CPU, let me tell you that Intel processors are NOT flat by any means. Intel processors are concaved high around the edges and dip in the center that might have uneven contact with your HSF, lapping fixs this as close as to 2-4 deegrees difference between all cores.

Remember that just like multiple processors from the same batch won't OC the same, the same is true about the seperate cores. Ever wonder why your OC hit the limit, the weakest core of the four is the deciding factor in how far you can push these processors speed limits. The weakest link applies here, I suggest that you lap both or forget about the differences, because you can reseat your processor 100 times and still get the same result.


This is what my processor looked like after I was done.

By systemlord at 2008-02-05


By systemlord at 2007-12-09