Difference between Core Temp and CPU Temp?

loftystew

Distinguished
Dec 6, 2009
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What is the difference between Core Temp and CPU Temp? Which one should you take note of or particularly concern with?

Example pictures of my current Q8200 processor temperature reading:

Full Load (on Prime95 In-place large FFTs test for 30 mins)

- CPU Temp reading of about 35 Celsius
- Core 0 to 3 Temp reading of about 55 to 60 Celsius

loadw.jpg



Idle (Taken after cooling down for 30 mins from Prime95 Test)

- CPU Temp reading of about 47 Celsius
- Core 0 to 3 Temp reading of about 65 to 70 Celsius

idle.jpg


Thanks for making a clarification on this.

* Used RealTemp and SpeedFan to monitor the temperatures and Prime95 to do stress test for 30 mins
** The system is cooled down for 30 mins after the stress test before idle temp is taken
 

amnotanoobie

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Aug 27, 2006
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CPU Temp should be the thermal reading outside the silicon but under the piece of metal on the processor. This would be cooler as it is farther from the heat source.

The core temp should be the reading near the actual silicon (the heat source) so it would read higher values.

It was explained before in a sticky here (that was removed) that the CPU and Core temp might not always be accurate as they should have only around 5C difference.

For your case, I'd look at the Core Temp as it is the higher value and the sticky to tweaking the temp readings is gone.