After a while of not caring very much, it came to my attention that there were 2 cores consistently warmer than the other two, and I wanted some input on it. This should be all you need to know:

Q6600
Zalman 9700

Core 1 and Core 2 are almost always 7-10 degrees warmer and Core 3 and Core 4. As an example:

I was wondering what the core arrangement was on the Q6600, like if you read it like a sheet of paper with 1 in the top left, 2 top right, 3 bottom left, 4 bottom right, or something else. If what I just said is true, could it be possible that the 9700 is making more pressure and contact with 3 and 4, causing lower temperatures? How would I counteract that? I am only using one of the clips (horizontally) to keep it on, so would adding the other one vertically do anything?

Thanks in advance

My Q6600 temps (@3Ghz) at idle are 30,30,25,25. at load they can be as much as 8 degrees difference. (tunning a TRUE as a cooler)

my first 2 cores also always run hotter. But this is usually when the load is only 50-70%. Once the load is pegged at 100% for a while (prime95) all 4 cores stabilize to within a couple degrees of each other. You could try turning the zalman around and facing it the other way...

Edit:

So.. taking this in a logical way, when you look at the MB out of the case:

-- --

And when it's in tower case, vertical, then it would be:

|| ||<--3/4 (or technically cores 2/3 - hence 0/1/2/3)

The weight would be pressing on the first 2 cores.. which is weird since I'd think those would be cooler. It may have to do with the surfaces on both HS/IHS. Or just how well the the sensors are calibrated, or if the system is actually giving the other 2 cores lower voltage if not used.

Id say as long as the load temps stay close in being the same, it should be working properly. My E4400 loads are usually the same, one might be 1C different at times, but on idle around 2-3C difference.

Thanks everyone for your input. I would check the temps at load, but even at stock voltages it will go to 70 C in about 20 seconds, which I am not comfortable with for more than a few seconds.

Grimmy, that was exactly the sort of picture that I was looking for. I forgot that it was just two Core 2 Duos on the same piece, so I was completely wrong. Google didn't help me at all when I was looking, because it just wanted to sell me the dang things .

When I get some money, I'll replace one of the fans on the front of the Antec 900 (it stopped working), buy some thermal paste (I'm using the stuff that came with the Zalman), and hope that it will work a little bit better. Thank you all again for helping me out! And if someone has some sort of epiphany, do not hesitate to let me know. XD

I am using a Zalman 9700 on a Q6600 @ 3GHz. My core 1/2 are usually 3-5c warmer than 3/4. But They normally run at 35c for 1/2 and 31c for 3/4 at idle and I am using the grease it came with. You want to make sure that the fan is facing the front of the case that way it pulls cool air in and blows it out the back. A extra fan or two in the back help since it will pull the hot air out quickly.

Also make sure that all four screws are tight. But you shouldn't have that high of temps unless you have no air flow, especially 70c. Mine will barely push 52c when Prime95 for 10 hours+

I tell you why your first two cores are hotter, its because you are only using two cores while the others are at (3,4) idle. Try running a demanding app that uses all four cores and you'll see all four light up. There will always be temperature diffences between cores, nothings perfect in this world.

That's probably only half the reason. What Grimmy said makes sense too.

I imagined there would be, but 10 degrees is a lot more than I expected.

And jimmysmitty, I just posted some pics of my rig in this thread: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/249076-31-build-pics
Note that mine is the second set of pictures, a couple of posts down. That is facing the right way, correct? Also, which four screws are you talking about? The ones connecting the bracket thing to the mobo and backplate, or the ones holding the heatsink to the bracket with the clips? Because as I stated earlier, I'm only using one of the clips (horizontally). Should I try to throw the other clip on there? Wow, that was the largest amount of questions in one paragraph that I have ever asked.

I am down a front fan, so I have one intake and the back & top for exhaust all on medium speed. I'll go back on windows and re-check the temps that I get running Prime 95.

EDIT: this is from the Temp Log in Core Temp of about 2 seconds before and 2 seconds after.

As you can see, it doesn't even take a minute for me to get real uncomfortable running prime 95 v25.5 and small FFTs. But for some reason, Core 1 and Core 4 are hotter in Windows as where Core 1 and Core 2 were hotter in Linux. Linux is probably wrong, and I trust Core Temp a little bit more. But either way, under load the temps are a good 10-12 degrees different. Maybe a really convex IHS? (Even though the are normally concave).

I also have the q6600 with the zalman cooler and the antec p182. I am getting completly stable temps and the highest I got on prime95 was 52c. The only thing I see different is that I got arctic 5 and a silver stone fan for the front. Its a little noisy but It pulls in alot of air. I too am getting opprox. 5c difference between the first 2 cores and the 2nd 2.
But I wrote that off as 2 cores get more activity than the other 2 cores. Not worth worrying about. From reading other peoples temps Im beginning to wonder if this summer I'm in for a suppries as its winter here in california. The ambient has been around 65degrees (18c) So far I couldnt be happier with my build. 26c idle

You should check both the screws for the mobo backplate and retention thing. You have it set right but it might be a bit loose.

Yes you have the fan set right so the airflow is going to the back of the case. I took my side panel off and felt the airflow through my case and its crazy. So much air being pushed through and its cool air too. I have 2 back fans so there is a lot of air being pulled from my HSF to the back.

BTW what is your voltage set at? That might cause it to go a bit higher if its too high.

*Edit* One thing I forgot to add is that you will probably never hit a 100% load on your system while gaming and what not. You should also try SpeedFan and see it the temps match up. Don't forget that speedfan drops 15c so add it to it. If they match up then maybe it is getting too hot and you may, as a last resort want to RMA it for another one.

gypsie54 I use the Zalman thermal grease and I have the same temps as you in Prime 95 so that wont change his much.

I've got it set at 1.20v, which is stock from what I understand.

I always thought 1.25 was from what I have heard. Thats not bad if it can pass a stress test at that speed and voltage. Maybe you will want to reseat the HSF. Or you might need to RMA the HSF/CPU. I doubt its the HSF but the CPU might be the problem and need to be RMA'ed. Hopefully thats a last resort one.

Well, I set it to 1.12 volts (according to CPU-Z, 1.143 in BIOS), which I didn't think was possible, and wiggled the 9700 around some and am now hovering around 60 degrees while doing Prime 95. To be specific: 61 60 57 56 and hasn't changed for about 20 minutes. I'm much happier now, but still not completely satisfied until everything is under 60 degrees. I can now sleep peacefully tonight.

Lap both those pupplies, you'll be glad you did! All Intel processors are concaved, low in the center and high around the corners. Your warranty will be gone, but when has anybody ever needed to use their warrant on a proccessor before. Amost unheard of.


By systemlord at 2008-02-05


By systemlord at 2007-12-09

I dont know what they did but the Arctic Silver compound has ben very **** the last 6 monthes or so. I have had to use other brands. The stock Zalman greese has been yeilding better results for me.

The only advise I have since 1 and 4 are getting hot, is to take the HS & CPU out.

Clean both surfaces, and get a razor blade. Place the razor blade on the surface of the CPU to see how flat it is, then do the same for the HS.

It seems that one of the surfaces is concaved in the middle since the outer edge has less contact. I'd only lap that surface that has the concaved part.

If it's the IHS thats concaved.. whelp I hope you feel as though its really needed, cause that warranty will be trashed. If it's the HS, then that would be better to lap it, and if you mess up, is less expensive to replace, even though, it is an expensive piece of copper.