csteakc,
As you've discovered, BIOS calibration determines CPU temperature, but has nothing to do with Intel's factory calibrated Core temperatures. Since the Tuniq Tower uses a backing plate, it's likely that there are 2 simultaneous but separate problems;
(1) Gigabyte's BIOS programmers have screwed up. Not the first time, won't be the last, because every socket 775 processor variant has to be coded, and it's easy to make a mistake.
(2) Your Q9550 has "stuck" sensors, which is a common problem among 45 nanometer processors, can be tested with Real Temp. See the fourth post (#2829) in the following link -
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=179044&page=114 - to download Real Temp 2.90 RC2, which is the latest Beta. Use the following link -
http://www.techpowerup.com/realtemp - to read the Real Temp Documentation to learn about the features, and how to test your sensors.
From the Core 2 Quad and Duo Temperature Guide -
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/221745-29-core-quad-temperature-guide
Section 1: Introduction
Core 2 Quad and Duo processors have
2 different types of temperature sensors; a CPU case (not computer case) Thermal Diode centered under the Cores, and
Digital
Thermal
Sensors located on each Core. The case Thermal Diode measures
Tcase (
Temperature
case), which is CPU temperature, and the
Digital
Thermal
Sensors measure
Tjunction (
Temperature
junction), which is Core temperature. Since these sensors measure
2 distinct thermal levels, there is a
5c temperature difference between them, which is
Tcase to
Tjunction Gradient. C2Q's have
1 Tcase and
4 Tjunction sensors, while C2D's have
1 Tcase and
2 Tjunction sensors.
Section 5: Findings
(
A)
Tcase is acquired on the CPU substrate from the CPU case Thermal Diode as an analog level, which is converted to a digital value by the super I/O (Input/Output) 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 on the Cores from Thermal Diodes as analog levels, which are converted to digital values by the
Digital
Thermal
Sensors (
DTS) on 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.
Section 6: Scale
Scale 2: Quad
Q9x50:
Tcase Max
71c, Stepping
E0, TDP 95W, Idle
16W
<-- Q9550 E0
Q9x50:
Tcase Max
71c, Stepping
C1, TDP 95W, Idle
16W
<-- Q9550 C1
Q9400:
Tcase Max
71c, Stepping
R0, TDP 95W, Idle
16W
Q9300:
Tcase Max
71c, Stepping
M1, TDP 95W, Idle
16W
Q8x00:
Tcase Max
71c, Stepping
R0, TDP 95W, Idle
16W
Q8200:
Tcase Max
71c, Stepping
M1, TDP 95W, Idle
16W
Q6x00:
Tcase Max
71c, Stepping
G0, TDP 95W, Idle
16W
-Tcase/Tjunction-
--70--/--75--75--75--75-- Hot
--65--/--70--70--70--70-- Warm
--60--/--65--65--65--65-- Safe
--25--/--30--30--30--30-- Cool
■If you read the Guide you can get a much better understanding of how temperatures work, and you can learn how to calibrate CPU temperature
and individual Core temperatures.
What is your ambient?
Since Real Temp reads Core temperatures only, and
not CPU temperature, what utility are you using to read CPU temperature?
What are your Core temperatures when running Prime95 Small FFT's for 10 minutes?
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram