Core Temp vs. CPU temp

mojomother · 10-26-2009, 01:06 PM

SpeedFan (http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php) shows my CPU (Q6600) temperature as 56C (a figure I don't like) while CoreTemp (http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/) shows the temps of the four cores as 39C, 36C, 42C, 37C respectively.

***?

Surely the core temperature should be higher than the overall CPU temperature? Which program is correct? Is my temperature too high or is it OK?

Thank you for any help.

Phædrus2401 · 10-26-2009, 01:15 PM

Speedfan is not accurate, we don't recommend using it for temperature monitoring. CoreTemp is very reliable, I'd use it before SpeedFan.

**greenbrucelee** · 10-26-2009, 01:59 PM

Yes speedfan isn't accurate

Real Temp is more accurate if you set the TJ max setting to 95 core temp is usually a couple of degrees above the real temp reading but either one is good to use.

mojomother · 10-26-2009, 11:52 PM

Ok, thanks, but I still wonder why that is. Surely those programs all use the same sensors?

**greenbrucelee** · 10-27-2009, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojomother

Ok, thanks, but I still wonder why that is. Surely those programs all use the same sensors?

different way of programming them. core temp is good for 65nm chips and real temp is good for 45nm chips.

Speedfan was created when I was about 20 if I remember correctly and I am 32 now.

**Tyree** · 10-28-2009, 02:14 PM

The BIOS will generally give you the most accurate Temp & Voltage reading.

floydfan · 11-01-2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyree

The BIOS will generally give you the most accurate Temp & Voltage reading.

Nope, bios reads the mobo sensor which is only useful for setting fan settings to. Core temp or real temp which use dts sensors in the die of the chip are the only readings worth paying attention to. In modern systems, the chip itself handles thermal events by itself, almost entirely independently of the board. Only possibility of mobo sensor coming into play is when there is a complete failure of the cooling, and even then, the critical temp in the cpu (around 110-120c) will likely be reached before the mobo will reach its shut down temp according to its own sensor.

**Underclocker** · 11-02-2009, 12:34 AM

HWMonitor generally gives the same CPU temp readings as the BIOS on most systems I've worked with, and it's usually higher than the core temps reported by any other software. The core temp should be lower than overall temp because on a dual core that's the combined heat of two individual cores and on quads four. Best stick with the BIOS readouts (or HWMonitor) for safety.

**Tyree** · 11-04-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floydfan

Nope, bios reads the mobo sensor which is only useful for setting fan settings to.

Nope, the Bios is still the most accurate source for temps CPU & voltages.

**greenbrucelee** · 11-04-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floydfan

Nope, bios reads the mobo sensor which is only useful for setting fan settings to. Core temp or real temp which use dts sensors in the die of the chip are the only readings worth paying attention to. In modern systems, the chip itself handles thermal events by itself, almost entirely independently of the board. Only possibility of mobo sensor coming into play is when there is a complete failure of the cooling, and even then, the critical temp in the cpu (around 110-120c) will likely be reached before the mobo will reach its shut down temp according to its own sensor.

totally incorrect.

Tyree is correct

**linderman** · 11-04-2009, 03:11 PM

Dont bite fellas; its a hook!

10-26-2009, 01:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
mojomother Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 5 OS: Vista SP2	Core Temp vs. CPU temp SpeedFan (http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php) shows my CPU (Q6600) temperature as 56C (a figure I don't like) while CoreTemp (http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/) shows the temps of the four cores as 39C, 36C, 42C, 37C respectively. ***? Surely the core temperature should be higher than the overall CPU temperature? Which program is correct? Is my temperature too high or is it OK? Thank you for any help.

10-26-2009, 01:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,709 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Core Temp vs. CPU temp Speedfan is not accurate, we don't recommend using it for temperature monitoring. CoreTemp is very reliable, I'd use it before SpeedFan. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-26-2009, 01:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,776 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: Core Temp vs. CPU temp Yes speedfan isn't accurate Real Temp is more accurate if you set the TJ max setting to 95 core temp is usually a couple of degrees above the real temp reading but either one is good to use. __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified

10-26-2009, 11:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
mojomother Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 5 OS: Vista SP2	Re: Core Temp vs. CPU temp Ok, thanks, but I still wonder why that is. Surely those programs all use the same sensors?

10-28-2009, 02:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,391 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Core Temp vs. CPU temp The BIOS will generally give you the most accurate Temp & Voltage reading. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

11-02-2009, 12:34 AM	#8 (permalink)
Underclocker Just passing by. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 824 OS: XP Pro SP3 x86 My System	Re: Core Temp vs. CPU temp HWMonitor generally gives the same CPU temp readings as the BIOS on most systems I've worked with, and it's usually higher than the core temps reported by any other software. The core temp should be lower than overall temp because on a dual core that's the combined heat of two individual cores and on quads four. Best stick with the BIOS readouts (or HWMonitor) for safety. __________________ Everest CPU-Z GPU-Z HWMonitor Real Temp Core Temp OCCT ORTHOS Memtest86+

11-04-2009, 03:11 PM	#11 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,430 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Core Temp vs. CPU temp Dont bite fellas; its a hook! __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial