AMD Overdrive confusing as all hell

[soldier5637]

Hey, so I just learnt about AMD Overdrive and how its apparently the most accurate way to measure a AMD CPU temp. All I'm seeing is "Thermal Margin" and when I Prime95 my FX6300 it goes from a thermal margin of 21 to -8. Why couldnt they have just put the temps there?? What does it mean? My Mobo says its socket is 60 degrees in prime 95 after 1.5 hours.

 

[John_234]

To be honest I'd just stick to speccy or open hardware monitor, simple and easy to use.

 

[RockyPlays]

Oh my mistake, didn't see the amd cpu. In that case Speccy works well.

 

[Redneck5439]

HWmonitor does not accurately measure temps for AMD CPUs. In AMD Overdrive what you are seeing displayed is your thermal margin. The thermal max (heat) for your processor is 70C so it is showing you how much room you have left till you hit 70C. So if it is displaying 10C thermal margin your temp is 60C, if it is showing 8C your temp is 62C. You really don't want AMD Overdrive to display anything under 5C as its getting too close to the thermal max.

 

[neieus]

It's not really that complicated. Just follow the instructions by Redneck5439

 

[Redneck5439]

Guys he's running an AMD processor, its widely known that other monitoring programs can and will display false temperature readings with AMD processors. The only 100% way to monitor temps with an AMD processor is with AMD Overdrive. All other monitoring programs can and will display false temperatures. I can remember having a 1C temp reading on my FX 8370 in HWmonitor after installing my NH-D15S (with and additional 2x Delta 3400rpm fans). Now even though its a great cooler it can't lower the ambient 70F room temp to 1C, its impossible (especially at 5.05Ghz). After a few restarts and running AMD Overdrive HWmonitor also started displaying better readings, but it can't be trusted to monitor the CPU (I use it to monitor my motherboard and GPU temps).

 

[Redneck5439]

Update to OP. If you are seeing -8 thermal margin on your computer you are running way, way too hot. -8 would be 78C which is dangerously hot for an AMD processor. Is AMD Overdrive showing 8 or -8? Are you overclocking? If your overclocking you will need to set at stock for now and get an aftermarket cooler. The Cryorig H7 is the best budget cooler available right now. If you are at stock speed then you should be able to get it under control with a good cleaning. Blow out your case and fans with compressed air. Remove your heat sink, clean all the old thermal paste totally off with rubbing alcohol and remount with the thermal compound of your choice (I like MX-4) and reapply using the pea method - put a small pea sized dot of thermal paste in the center of your processor and using an old credit card spread a very thin layer over your entire processor, then remount your heat sink. Thermal compound degrades over time and should be reapplied every couple of years at least so if you haven't done that in awhile it may be your problem.

If your at stock you should be running cooler than 8 and much cooler than -8, if your overclocked you have to set to stock till you fix your cooling problem.