Operating temperatures for Core 2 Duo E6400

[againstTheWind]

I just built my first system with a new Core 2 Duo E6400 with a D975XBX board. I am slightly confused by the 3 temps given by the BIOS while the processor was idle:

Processor: 85C
Internal: 35C
Remote: 33C

I am using a CPU fan from a Pentium D which I though was the same fan for the new Conroe.

Can anyone tell me if these temps are ok and if the fan is ok as well. I have a Massacool fan that TigerDirect.com recommended but I was thinking of returning it since I thought the fan for the Pentium D was adequate.

Thanks!

 

[paparazi]

againstTheWind
If this a "True" reading then the CPU temp is obviously way too high.
The first thing to check with this socket type is: the proper seating of the heatsink retaining clips, as you may know these can be difficult to fully engage leaving the heatsink without proper thermal contact.
Also good quality metal particle paste must be applied.

Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[Nelviticus]

The CPU should be below 40C normally, 85C is close to automatic shutdown temperature. I'm surprised that it's running that hot though, unless you didn't apply any new thermal paste when you fitted the heatsink.

You should be able to use the Pentium D fan as Conroes use the same socket and require less cooling. However make sure you fit it properly paying particular attention to removing the old thermal paste/pad and applying the new - here's a link to some instructions from Arctic Silver:

Arctic Silver Instructions.

Regards

Nelviticus

 

[againstTheWind]

I applied thermal paste and an pretty sure that the fan is seated properly. I am going to try switching it with a masscool fan I have to see if that helps.

I suppose the fact that the processor core temp is 35C really doesn't mean anything?? I wonder why there is such a variation in temperature.

 

[Nelviticus]

Maybe you should check your motherboard's manual for what those readings actually mean. I would assume that 'processor' means the CPU core temp, 'internal' means the case's internal temp and 'remote' means ... no idea. Those are just guesses though.

There shouldn't be anything in your system hitting 85C except maybe your graphics card under heavy load, and I doubt that would show up in the BIOS.

Regards

Nelviticus

 

[againstTheWind]

Sorry - I mislabeled the readings

It should read

Processor: 85C
CPU Core temp: 35C
Remote: 33C

Does this look a bit more reasonable?

I am still wondering why such a big difference between the processor and cpu core temps

 

[Nelviticus]

Ah, that sounds a lot better! I have no idea what 'processor' means if there's a separate reading for CPU core - what does the manual say?

Nelviticus

 

[kmcferrin]

A lot of mainboards (in the old days, anyway) had a temperature sensor beneath the CPU socket. That could be what is reading at 85C. Still, it seems odd that it would be that hot. It's also possible that you have a bad sensor, or a BIOS issue that reports a bogus temp.

I know that you said that you used fresh heatsink compound, is it possible that you used too much? The correct application is an extremely thin (think paper-thin) layer. You should almost be able to make out the writing on the top of the CPU through the paste.

 

[wahnula]

I have read reviews of this chip where the author ran the system with the the Heat Sink Fan unpluggged for FOUR HOURS with BOTH CORES at 100% (encoding video w/Nero Recode) and the temp peaked around 80c with zero damage and max temps of 80-85 deg, the PC never shut down. This means what? That either your HSF isn't mating properly w/ the CPU or the sensor is bad.

Either way I'm pretyy *&^%$# jealous...gotta get me one!

 

[BadFrog]

Are you overclocking the CPU?

"Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy"
Albert Einstein

 

[againstTheWind]

I'm not overclocking - this is my first system and I would be happy if everything worked normally.

It appears that I had too much thermal compound. I switched from the Pentium D fan to a Masscool and it's running at 54C at idle. Is this cool enough??? My readings now are based off of Intel's desktop utility.

 

[kmcferrin]

That's better, but it still seems like that's unusually hot. Most modern CPUs run in the 40C range. The Conroe line are supposed to be much cooler than most, though.

 

[againstTheWind]

I'm running in the 43C ballpark at idle now. Should I still be concerned?

 

[Nelviticus]

You don't need to be concerned. It's slightly warmer than most people get but still a long way below danger levels. My E6600 runs in the low fifties - probably due to a badly-fitted heatsink - but I don't feel an urgent need to fix it.

I'd still love to know what 'processor' is actually measuring though. As kmcferrin said, older boards had thermometers under the CPU but the 975 is a pretty new chipset.

Regards

Nelviticus

 

[cdogg]

You probably need SpeedStep enabled.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/07/14/core2_duo_knocks_out_athlon_64/page8.html

All Core 2 Duo boxed processors are bundled with the same heat sink and fan that comes with Pentium D processors...Its 4-pin connector provides the motherboard with fan control, which it controlles by using the processor's temperature readings. Even under high processor load the fan speed did not exceed 2,400 RPM during our tests. This is an amazingly low level when compared to the 4,500 RPM it runs on a busy Pentium D 840 system.
...
You should care to enable SpeedStep, because it reduces the processor clock speed to 1.6 GHz when idle. This will cause the processor fan to drop its rotation speed to as little as 1,500 RPM. Eventually, we measured an average CPU temperature level of only 25°C (77°F). That's almost room temperature!

For the Core 2 Duo, it should be rare for the temp to exceed 55°C unless it's overclocked, using an underperforming fan, or the fan is not mounted properly (type and amount of thermal paste as well).

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
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