Core temps, CPU temps, TJMaxx, UGH!. 2600K, which are real max temps?

[Guest]

Hi, scouring all over google to try to find 2600k max temps is rather disturbing. So many different answers, so many blatently wrong answers, and so many answers that apply to the wrong term back and forth between them. A lot of people are saying "Oh, the max temp is this" "No no no where did you hear that it's this!" and I think they're not differentiating core vs cpu (I assume?).

From what it seems to be:
The max temp >for the CPU< is ~70C
The max temp >for any core< is ~90C

Right now I'm running 1.35v, 4.5GHz with HT on. My core temps max out at around 73C, my CPU temp maxing out at around 55C (Both rough numbers). This is in OCCT over all the tests (I don't like using prime because It puts heat on CPUs that I've never, ever seen in any program, whereas OCCT hits the same numbers I use when encoding video, which also uses 100% of all my cores).

My setup is in my signature; MX-2 for thermal paste, stock fan on the venomous X RT. For this setup:
1. Do these temps seem average?
2. What kind of actual headroom do I have for these temps? I'm either right at the edge, or have a LOT to go yet from what I've found so far.
3. Voltage for 24/7 use? 1.4 seems to be a border between people who think it's a good or bad idea, yet intel rates it up towards 1.5v (?).
4. What exactly is TJMax in comparison to a core temp?
5. OCCT (HWmonitor built in) temps and voltages seem to be in line with what's to be expected of this system. Should I be using something else? A lot of people sware by coretemp, however last time I tried other temp programs, they all turned out to be the same regardless.

 

[reedy777]

@cbrunnem And is that for core temp or CPU temps. I'm on a Venomous X for cooling.

@amuffin It's the only thing that will run stable. Anything else will give me errors in OCCT.

my tcase temp taken from asus probe II on my 2600k is 47 c on max load @ 4.7ghz however real temps is telling me my hotest core is hitting 67 c. i have a h100 cooler i wanna know if this spread between the cores and tcase is normal 20 c seems a bit high and is it safe to just stay within intels limits of 72.6 c tcase and roast the cores to waterever they get to. i hear ppl have been getting 5 ghz

 

[reedy777]

Hi c1o5ry1991,

The old timers and Moderators here will remember me well. I used to write and maintain the most popular Sticky here for about 3 years, which was the 16 page Core i and Core 2 Temperature Guide. I've been a member at Tom's since `06, and although I'm still an avid reader, I rarely come forward to offer comments on any threads, however, today I will. The answer that you're seeking is the Tcase specification which is available on Intel's website - http://ark.intel.com/products/52214/Intel-Core-i7-2600K-Processor-(8M-Cache-up-to-3_80-GHz) - however, there are some explanations required in order to make sense of Intel's Thermal Specifications.

I'll try to keep it as simple as possible:

Tjunction Max - is a specification - 100c (Throttle / Shutdown Threshold)
Tjunction - is Core temperature.

Tcase Max - is a specification - (i7 2600K is 72.6c, rounded to 73c).
Tcase - is CPU temperature.

Ambient - is room (intake) temperature - 22c or 72F is standard test environment.


my tcase temp taken from asus probe II on my 2600k is 47 c on max load @ 4.7ghz however real temps is telling me my hotest core is hitting 67 c. i have a h100 cooler i wanna know if this spread between the cores and tcase is normal 20 c seems a bit high and is it safe to just stay within intels limits of 72.6 c tcase and roast the cores to waterever they get to. i hear ppl have been getting 5 ghz
From my Guide:

"Section 1: Introduction

Core i and Core 2 processors have 2 different types of temperature sensors; a CPU case (not computer case) Thermal Diode centered under the Cores, and Digital Thermal Sensors (DTS) located on each Core. The case Thermal Diode measures Tcase (Temperature case), which is overall CPU temperature, and the Digital Thermal Sensors measure Tjunction (Temperature junction), which are individual Core temperatures. Since these sensors measure 2 distinct thermal levels, there is a 5c temperature difference between them, which is Tcase to Tjunction Gradient. Core i and Core 2 processors have 1 Tcase sensor, and an individual Tjunction sensor on each Core" ...

... "Section 4: Thermal Flow

Heat originates within the Cores, where Tjunction sensors are located on the hot spots of each Core. Most of the heat dissipates from the top of the Cores through the Integrated Heat Spreader and CPU cooler to air inside the computer. Some of the heat dissipates from the bottom of the Cores through the CPU case, which creates a 5c thermal Gradient toward the center of the substrate, where the Tcase sensor is located. This heat then dissipates through the socket and motherboard to air inside the computer. Safe and sustainable temperatures are determined by CPU cooling efficiency, computer case cooling efficiency, Ambient temperature, Vcore, clock speed and Load.

• Tjunction is higher than Tcase.

• Tcase is higher than Ambient" ...

... "Section 5: Findings

(A) Tcase is acquired on the CPU substrate from the CPU case Thermal Diode as an analog level, which is converted to a digital value by the super I/O (Input/Output) chip on the motherboard. The digital value is BIOS Calibrated and displayed by temperature software. Motherboard BIOS Calibration affects the accuracy of Tcase, or CPU temperature.

(B) Tjunction is acquired on the Cores from Thermal Diodes as analog levels, which are converted to digital values by the Digital Thermal Sensors (DTS) on each Core. The digital values are Factory Calibrated and displayed by temperature software. Intel Factory Calibration affects the accuracy of Tjunction, or Core temperatures" ...


The most basic and important points are that:

(1) Core temperatures tend to be more accurate, while CPU temperature tends to vary by motherboards, chipsets and BIOS updates.

(2) On a properly calibrated Core i computer, CPU temperature is 5c lower than average Core temperatures at 100% workload.

(3) Since Intel's 2600K Tcase Max (CPU) specification is 73c, then the corresponding maximum average Core temperature is 78c.


EDIT: Please read this former post for additional information - http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/254512-29-temps-paying-attention#t1860801


I hope this clears up all the ongoing misinformation and confusion.


CompuTronix

 

[cbrunnem]

my tcase temp taken from asus probe II on my 2600k is 47 c on max load @ 4.7ghz however real temps is telling me my hotest core is hitting 67 c. i have a h100 cooler i wanna know if this spread between the cores and tcase is normal 20 c seems a bit high and is it safe to just stay within intels limits of 72.6 c tcase and roast the cores to waterever they get to. i hear ppl have been getting 5 ghz

ignore tcase, not useful. ignore the 47*c as well. you are only concerned with the individual core temps. when a core temp reaches about 105*c the cpu will shut itself off or severely throttle itself. i wouldnt know i have never had one go that hot.

you are fine with those temps.