My E8400's 2 Core temps vary between 4 and 5 degrees (at idle) . Does anyone know if this typical/normal behavior for this processor? Temp were taken with Realtemp, Coretemp, and HWMonitor.. all will show this variation. The MB's bios version is F8a and is at "setup defaults" with following execptions; timings on Ram at 4-4-4-12 +.3 volts, PWN enabled for CPU Cooler.. all else "setup defaults"???

Antec 900 (5 fans -added a tricool side fan)
Gibabyte P35- DS3l
E8400
Artic Freezer Pro 7
Corsair XMS2x1024-6400CL4
EVGA 8800GT
74 Gig Raptor
Samsung S203N DVD
XP Pro SP3

Did you use realtemp to see if one of the censors are "stuck"? I heard that some batches of E8400's have faulty sensors, not sure if that's true or not.

I read so much about E8400 temps last evening I think my brain went numb.
Realtemp: core 0=4, core 1=9.. not sure exactly how to interpret this... but it is a typical result.

I think my current sensors on my E6600 are suck values at 2 and 4 lol. No wonder my temps are way off. CPU is stable though and while gaming.

It's realistic that core temps could be off like that. If you're running a single threaded app it may be using one core more than another.

monst0r, I think you hit the nail on the head. Apparently, my E8400's sensors are getting stuck - I believe some batches do have faulty sensors. (My batch # is: Q801A290)
Stressing my CPU with Prime95 does bring my core temperature readings within 1 degree of each other...
The first attempt to OC my system was @ 3.6. I booted into windows, but as soon as I ran P95 I got errors on one core. So, I decided I'd better be more conservative on my next attempt at an OC.
Read several guides, here at Toms, Overclockers, other forums...
Realize now I have mutiple issues to deal with between processor and MB choices I've made.
Funny thing is how I picked these 2 particular components, DS3L & 8400, specifically because of all the reviews touting their ease of overclocking... "easy to OC to 3.6".
On my 2nd week with my new build and still at 'stock'!
arggghh!!!
this has been very frustrating!

Welcome to the world of overclocking... "easy to OC to 3.6" if you are a pro, OC is not easy when your new.

Hang in there, you’ll get it.

Also... My Q6600 has a 5 degree difference in 2 cores over the other 2 cores using coretemp
http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

I don’t think there is anything wrong with it being 5 degrees warmer; it is still at a very acceptable temperature.

LOL, I can relate to that.

I have the same setup and the core temp differences range from 2 to 4 degrees. I have noticed the warmer the temps the more the difference and this is in normal use without stressing both cores. If I cool the room the temps come down and so does the differnce between cores.

Real Temp has an elaborate setup but I don't think it is absolutely necessary. The E8000 chips do run cool and uncleweeb seems to think that voltage is more important than temps unless grossly overclocking.

Here is a one post quote from that long thread that contributed to him creating Real Temps.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forum [...] count=1259

Have some patience until you get some experience and really understand what is happening. You will find more info on core temp differences in that forum. It seems some differences reported are 5 degrees.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forum [...] ost2809807

lol grieve, I'm not totally new to overclocking. The 8400 & DS3L are replacing my old gaming rig; an old overclocked AGP system -(Athlon XP on Asus mobo) New rig is replacement for my old system.
What I find so frustrating is that it's difficult enough (time consuming)to find a good stabilized OC on a system WITHOUT dealing with unreliable temps AND voltage fluctuations.
(IMO - the bios is not "straight forward" OR "user friendly" in a DS3L)
I do appreciate your encouragement and tks for noting that you have 2 cores with a 5 degree variance .

Merman, I actually did read all 50 pages of posts at http://www.xtremesystems.org/forum [...] ost2809807 last evening - no kidding!
And thank you for your encouraging words

My ambient room temps can range between 21c to 23c...
My DS3L's Bios will reflect the same temp as my room temperature.
Unless both my cores are under load, there is a 4 - 5 degree variance in my idle temps regardless of what program I use to check temps
( I've used HWMonitor, Coretemp, Realtemp, etc.)
I haven't tried "calibrating" for obvious reasons.
The 4 - 5 degree variance was displayed by every program, which got me worrying about having a bad processor...

You gentlemen are right about a couple of thing...
First I need to be more patient.
Apparently, my processor isn't bad.
Even at "stock" settings my system is still "stable and impressive".
I am not alone in that I receive "peculiar" readings from the latest temperature monitoring software..
unclewebb has spent a LOT of time on this yet states

Your replies and that quote by unclewebb have made me feel more comfortable about trying to OC this rig again.

DnDDagger there is one more site you will appreciate if you are not aware of it yet. The Gigabyte Official Tech forum at Tweak Town. Plenty of Gigabyte only info and Lsdmeasasp has the patiences of a Saint even if he doesn't work for Gigabyte.

http://forums.tweaktown.com/

Thanks Merman! Handy having a Gigabyte fan as your forum moderator