High CPU Temps?

[lateralus2003]

I have been running my 6700K, overclocked to 4.2GHz for a while now. While stress testing (full load) with Aida64 the average temps are 38c. I then go and overclock it to 4.4GHz. I stress test again and now the temps immediately go up to 59c. Is this normal?? I just got off the phone with Intel and explained the situation and they said it was completely normal. It makes no sense to me that it would climb so high over such a small .2GHz increase. I don't believe them.

Note: There was no throttling during either test.
Note: My CPU cooler is the NZXT Kraken X62.

 

[nitinvaid20]

those are perfectly good temp when the CPU is OC

 

[lateralus2003]

those are perfectly good temp when the CPU is OC

Thank you for the response and temperature verification. But would you know or understand why the CPU temperature would drastically increase by 21c just because of a small .2GHz overclock?

 

[CompuTronix]

... 6700K, overclocked to 4.2GHz ... While stress testing (full load) with Aida64 the average temps are 38c ... then ... overclock it to 4.4GHz. I stress test again and now the temps immediately go up to 59c. Is this normal?? ... CPU cooler is the NZXT Kraken X62.

lateralus2003,

Q: What is your Ambient room temperature? Normal or "Standard" is 22°C or 72°F.

Q: What was your Vcore during each test?

Q: Which CPU test combinations were used?

Respectfully, even if your Ambient is well below normal, I'm very sceptical when I see "38°C" for a load temperature with any stress test.

Here's the operating range for Core temperature:

Core temperatures above 85°C aren't recommended.

Core temperatures increase and decrease with Ambient temperature.

Idle temperatures below 25°C are generally due to Ambient temperatures below 22°C.

Although AIDA64 is OK for stability testing, it's not well suited for thermal testing. Accordingly, I'm not a big fan of AIDA64 because there are too many test combinations that create too many variables, none of which offer conclusive thermal results.

When working with processor temperatures, taking a methodical approach is always recommended. One of the guiding principles for properly conducting a test, is that it's crucial to set up the same conditions and follow the same procedures every time. This minimizes variables so results will be consistent and repeatable.

Since Ambient temperature, hardware configurations and stress test software are major variables, in order to compare apples to apples it's important to be specific. “Load” or “full load” are misleading user terms that could mean anything. Also, 100% CPU utilization can be misleading because it seldom equals 100% workload or TDP.

Intel tests their processors under carefully controlled conditions at 100% TDP. Prime95 version 26.6 Small FFT's is ideal for CPU thermal testing, because it's a steady 100% workload with steady Core temperatures that typically runs Core i variants with Hyperthreading and Core 2 processors within +/- a few % of TDP. No other utility so closely replicates Intel's proprietary test conditions. This is also the utility that Real Temp uses to test Core temperature sensors.

To find your valid thermal baseline Core temperatures, please download and run only Small FFT's for just 10 minutes.

• Prime95 v26.6 - http://www.mersenneforum.org/showthread.php?t=15504

Do not use Prime95 versions later than 26.6 on 2nd through 8th Generation i3, i5 or i7 CPU's, which all have AVX (Advanced Vector Extension) Instruction Sets. Prime95 versions later than 26.6 run AVX code on the CPU's Floating Point Unit (FPU) which causes unrealistic temperatures up to 20°C higher. The FPU test in the utility AIDA64 shows similar results.

AVX can be disabled in Prime95 versions later than 26.6 by inserting "CpuSupportsAVX=0" into the "local.txt" file in Prime95's folder. However, since Core temperatures will be the same as 26.6, it's easier to just use 26.6. AVX doesn't affect Core i 1st Generation, Core 2, Pentium or Celeron processors since they don't have AVX Instruction Sets.

If you’re overclocked and run AVX apps such as for rendering or transcoding, you may need to reduce Vcore and Core speed or upgrade your cooler and case fans so Core temperatures don’t reach 85°C. Many 6th, 7th and 8th Generation motherboards address the AVX problem by providing offset adjustments in BIOS. An offset of -2 or -3 (200 or 300 MHz) is usually sufficient. Asus RealBench runs a realistic AVX workload typically within +/- a few % of TDP, and is an excellent utility for testing overall system stability, whether you're overclocked or not.

• Asus RealBench - http://rog.asus.com/rog-pro/realbench-v2-leaderboard/

Prime95's default test, Blend, is a fluctuating workload for testing memory stability, and Large FFT's combines CPU and memory tests. As such, Blend and Large FFT's both have fluctuating workloads which aren’t well suited for CPU thermal testing.

Other stability tests such as Linpack and Intel Burn Test have cycles that peak at 120% workload, which again aren’t well suited for CPU thermal testing. The test utility OCCT runs elements of Linpack and Prime95, which will terminate the CPU tests at 85°C.

The "Charts" in SpeedFan span 13 minutes, and show how each test creates distinct thermal signatures.

Shown above from left to right: Small FFT's, Blend, Linpack and Intel Burn Test.

Note the steady thermal signature of Small FFT's, which allows accurate measurements of Core temperatures. A steady 100% workload is crucial for thermal testing.

Shown above from left to right: Small FFT's, Intel Extreme Tuning Utility CPU Test, and AIDA64 CPU Test.

Intel Extreme Tuning Utility is also a fluctuating workload. Although AIDA64's CPU test is a steady workload, it's far below TDP, which is insufficient for thermal testing. All other AIDA64 CPU test combinations are fluctuating workloads, which again aren't well suited for thermal testing. Also, AIDA64 is not Freeware, so the Trial version expires.

There are minefields of misinformation posted everywhere on the Internet for users to try to navigate. If you'd like to get yourself up to speed on the topic, then read this: Intel Temperature Guide - http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1800828/intel-temperature-guide.html

Run P95 v26.6 Small FFT's ... let's see what you get for Core temperatures.

CT

 

[lateralus2003]

... 6700K, overclocked to 4.2GHz ... While stress testing (full load) with Aida64 the average temps are 38c ... then ... overclock it to 4.4GHz. I stress test again and now the temps immediately go up to 59c. Is this normal?? ... CPU cooler is the NZXT Kraken X62.

lateralus2003,

Q: What is your Ambient room temperature? Normal or "Standard" is 22°C or 72°F.

Q: What was your Vcore during each test?

Q: Which CPU test combinations were used?

Respectfully, even if your Ambient is well below normal, I'm very sceptical when I see "38°C" for a load temperature with any stress test.

Here's the operating range for Core temperature:

Core temperatures above 85°C aren't recommended.

Core temperatures increase and decrease with Ambient temperature.

Idle temperatures below 25°C are generally due to Ambient temperatures below 22°C.

Although AIDA64 is OK for stability testing, it's not well suited for thermal testing. Accordingly, I'm not a big fan of AIDA64 because there are too many test combinations that create too many variables, none of which offer conclusive thermal results.

When working with processor temperatures, taking a methodical approach is always recommended. One of the guiding principles for properly conducting a test, is that it's crucial to set up the same conditions and follow the same procedures every time. This minimizes variables so results will be consistent and repeatable.

Since Ambient temperature, hardware configurations and stress test software are major variables, in order to compare apples to apples it's important to be specific. “Load” or “full load” are misleading user terms that could mean anything. Also, 100% CPU utilization can be misleading because it seldom equals 100% workload or TDP.

Intel tests their processors under carefully controlled conditions at 100% TDP. Prime95 version 26.6 Small FFT's is ideal for CPU thermal testing, because it's a steady 100% workload with steady Core temperatures that typically runs Core i variants with Hyperthreading and Core 2 processors within +/- a few % of TDP. No other utility so closely replicates Intel's proprietary test conditions. This is also the utility that Real Temp uses to test Core temperature sensors.

To find your valid thermal baseline Core temperatures, please download and run only Small FFT's for just 10 minutes.

• Prime95 v26.6 - http://www.mersenneforum.org/showthread.php?t=15504

Do not use Prime95 versions later than 26.6 on 2nd through 8th Generation i3, i5 or i7 CPU's, which all have AVX (Advanced Vector Extension) Instruction Sets. Prime95 versions later than 26.6 run AVX code on the CPU's Floating Point Unit (FPU) which causes unrealistic temperatures up to 20°C higher. The FPU test in the utility AIDA64 shows similar results.

AVX can be disabled in Prime95 versions later than 26.6 by inserting "CpuSupportsAVX=0" into the "local.txt" file in Prime95's folder. However, since Core temperatures will be the same as 26.6, it's easier to just use 26.6. AVX doesn't affect Core i 1st Generation, Core 2, Pentium or Celeron processors since they don't have AVX Instruction Sets.

If you’re overclocked and run AVX apps such as for rendering or transcoding, you may need to reduce Vcore and Core speed or upgrade your cooler and case fans so Core temperatures don’t reach 85°C. Many 6th, 7th and 8th Generation motherboards address the AVX problem by providing offset adjustments in BIOS. An offset of -2 or -3 (200 or 300 MHz) is usually sufficient. Asus RealBench runs a realistic AVX workload typically within +/- a few % of TDP, and is an excellent utility for testing overall system stability, whether you're overclocked or not.

• Asus RealBench - http://rog.asus.com/rog-pro/realbench-v2-leaderboard/

Prime95's default test, Blend, is a fluctuating workload for testing memory stability, and Large FFT's combines CPU and memory tests. As such, Blend and Large FFT's both have fluctuating workloads which aren’t well suited for CPU thermal testing.

Other stability tests such as Linpack and Intel Burn Test have cycles that peak at 120% workload, which again aren’t well suited for CPU thermal testing. The test utility OCCT runs elements of Linpack and Prime95, which will terminate the CPU tests at 85°C.

The "Charts" in SpeedFan span 13 minutes, and show how each test creates distinct thermal signatures.

Shown above from left to right: Small FFT's, Blend, Linpack and Intel Burn Test.

Note the steady thermal signature of Small FFT's, which allows accurate measurements of Core temperatures. A steady 100% workload is crucial for thermal testing.

Shown above from left to right: Small FFT's, Intel Extreme Tuning Utility CPU Test, and AIDA64 CPU Test.

Intel Extreme Tuning Utility is also a fluctuating workload. Although AIDA64's CPU test is a steady workload, it's far below TDP, which is insufficient for thermal testing. All other AIDA64 CPU test combinations are fluctuating workloads, which again aren't well suited for thermal testing. Also, AIDA64 is not Freeware, so the Trial version expires.

There are minefields of misinformation posted everywhere on the Internet for users to try to navigate. If you'd like to get yourself up to speed on the topic, then read this: Intel Temperature Guide - http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1800828/intel-temperature-guide.html

Run P95 v26.6 Small FFT's ... let's see what you get for Core temperatures.

CT

First off, thanks for all the information. I've been kind of busy lately, it might take a while for me to research everything you mentioned, but I will certainly read over the CPU temperature guide soon.

A: I do not have a thermometer in my house, I have a $4,000 computer but no thermometer. However, I do live in Germany and it is kind of cold in my house, I have to wear a sweater most times.
A: Vcore from Aida64 ranges from 1.184 to 1.2 @ 4.2GHz
A: If I'm looking in the right location, looks like I am testing the CPU, FPU, cache and system memory.

TEST: As far as the P95 v26.6 Small FFTs... I ran the test for 1 hour, and the temps ranged from 52c and 55c.

Yes the 52c/55c is a lot higher than the Aida64 CPU test which gave me 38c, however, something that I noticed tonight is that the 38c I saw on Aida64 was just the CPU temp. A few minutes ago I clicked on all four CPU cores for them to also show up in the data/chart window and their temperatures more closely resembled that of P95, I think they were around 53c per CPU Core. Not sure what the difference is between "CPU temps" and "CPU Core temps". Guess I'll find out in the CPU temperature guide.

I'm new.

After all of this discussion and further testing, it is still interesting to see that the CPU temps in Aida64 jumped 21c over a small .2 overclock. Also, I am now more suspicious over the 38c than the "high" 59c. I think maybe what you're getting at is that it could be the "unreliability" of Aida64? I guess it's not really that big of a deal.

Finally, in your opinion, could you briefly describe the top strengths and weaknesses regarding P95, Cinebench, Aida64 and 3D Mark. What would make a person want one over the other, I only used Aida64 because that's what I always see Linus using. But for a person that knows what they're looking for in a stress test/benchmark application, why would they choose one over the other??

Thanks for your help!

 

[CompuTronix]

There are two schools of thought; stability testing and thermal testing.

For stability testing, a variety of tests should be run to verify the stability of each subsystem. In addition, each software program you normally use on your computer which is known to be most demanding should also be run, whether for applications, productivity or gaming. The best program for testing overall system stability is Asus RealBench, which I've linked in my previous post.

For thermal testing, Prime95 v26.6 Small FFT's is idea because it's a steady 100% workload with steady Core temperatures that will typically run a processors within +/- a few % of Thermal Design Power (TDP). Intel tests their processors at 100% TDP and wrote the Datasheets for their specifications. So when thermal testing, the goal is to replicate Intel's load test in order to achieve valid thermal baseline results. I've extensively tested and compared every utility available over the course of many years and recommend P95 v26.6 Small FFT's for thermal testing above all others.

AIDA64 is OK for CPU stability testing, but there are too many test combinations to yield conclusive results for CPU thermals.

CineBench is a benchmark for performance testing which is not well suited for either stability or thermal testing.

3DMark is good for primarily testing GPU performance and stability, as are Unigine Heaven and Valley.

FurMark is good for GPU stability and thermal testing.

I could go on, but if you want to get yourself up to speed, then just go through the Temp Guide slowly, carefully and very thoroughly and you'll get it. The topic of Intel processor temperatures is poorly understood and surrounded by a minefield of misinformation, false assumptions and inconsistencies. There are standardized methods to follow for testing, so you're not shooting in the dark and trying make it up as you go. It's all explained in the Guide.

CT

 

[lateralus2003]

There are two schools of thought; stability testing and thermal testing.

For stability testing, a variety of tests should be run to verify the stability of each subsystem. In addition, each software program you normally use on your computer which is known to be most demanding should also be run, whether for applications, productivity or gaming. The best program for testing overall system stability is Asus RealBench, which I've linked in my previous post.

For thermal testing, Prime95 v26.6 Small FFT's is idea because it's a steady 100% workload with steady Core temperatures that will typically run a processors within +/- a few % of Thermal Design Power (TDP). Intel tests their processors at 100% TDP and wrote the Datasheets for their specifications. So when thermal testing, the goal is to replicate Intel's load test in order to achieve valid thermal baseline results. I've extensively tested and compared every utility available over the course of many years and recommend P95 v26.6 Small FFT's for thermal testing above all others.

AIDA64 is OK for CPU stability testing, but there are too many test combinations to yield conclusive results for CPU thermals.

CineBench is a benchmark for performance testing which is not well suited for either stability or thermal testing.

3DMark is good for primarily testing GPU performance and stability, as are Unigine Heaven and Valley.

FurMark is good for GPU stability and thermal testing.

I could go on, but if you want to get yourself up to speed, then just go through the Temp Guide slowly, carefully and very thoroughly and you'll get it. The topic of Intel processor temperatures is poorly understood and surrounded by a minefield of misinformation, false assumptions and inconsistencies. There are standardized methods to follow for testing, so you're not shooting in the dark and trying make it up as you go. It's all explained in the Guide.

CT

Okay, thanks for all the info! I'll just continue reviewing the CPU temperature guide. One other thing that isn't completely clear to me regarding CPUs, is overclocking. I am using an Asus BIOS/UEFI. I understand the simple part on how to overclock the cores in the AI Tweaker, but what about voltage?? So far, the entire time I've been messing around with overclocking, I've left the voltage set to auto. At what point/what GHz frequency should I begin to increase the voltage? Also, when it's all said and done, will the CPU voltage setting in the BIOS be left on Auto or Manual? I've heard good and bad things about both settings. The end result regarding the BIOS, is not clear to me. What's you're take on this??

 

[CompuTronix]

Section 8 in the Temp Guide briefly covers overclocking, but it's not intended to substitute for a proper "Overclocking Guide". It says:

" ... Overclocking is always limited by two factors; voltage and temperature. No two processors are identical; each processor is unique in voltage tolerance, thermal behavior and overclocking potential, which is often referred to as the "silicon lottery" or luck of the draw ... "

Because of this, there's really no cook-book settings. I could write a several pages and explain it to you, but my best advice to any novice overclocker is simply this:

Google up at least 3 Overclocking Guides for core i 6th Generation processors, or specifically for the i7 6700K, or more specifically for the 6700K with your motherboard. Study the Guides carefully until you have a firm grasp on the concepts and a solid understanding of the various procedures required to achieve the highest stable overclock without exceeding 1.4 Vcore and 85°C.

A good overclock can not be achieved by taking a wham-bam-thank-you-mam approach; overclocking instead requires a methodical approach, a considerable amount of time and patience, repetitive testing with certain utilities involving numerous changes to BIOS setting accompanied by dozens of reboots, and meticulous attention to detail.

It's not exactly rocket science, but you do need to know what you're doing so you don't damage or destroy your hard-earned equipment.

CT

 

[leigh76]

Serious question....
Why do people bother with AIO's?

Jump in there and do a custom loop, have some fun, learn some shiznits whilst your at it.

 

[lateralus2003]

Section 8 in the Temp Guide briefly covers overclocking, but it's not intended to substitute for a proper "Overclocking Guide". It says:

" ... Overclocking is always limited by two factors; voltage and temperature. No two processors are identical; each processor is unique in voltage tolerance, thermal behavior and overclocking potential, which is often referred to as the "silicon lottery" or luck of the draw ... "

Because of this, there's really no cook-book settings. I could write a several pages and explain it to you, but my best advice to any novice overclocker is simply this:

Google up at least 3 Overclocking Guides for core i 6th Generation processors, or specifically for the i7 6700K, or more specifically for the 6700K with your motherboard. Study the Guides carefully until you have a firm grasp on the concepts and a solid understanding of the various procedures required to achieve the highest stable overclock without exceeding 1.4 Vcore and 85°C.

A good overclock can not be achieved by taking a wham-bam-thank-you-mam approach; overclocking instead requires a methodical approach, a considerable amount of time and patience, repetitive testing with certain utilities involving numerous changes to BIOS setting accompanied by dozens of reboots, and meticulous attention to detail.

It's not exactly rocket science, but you do need to know what you're doing so you don't damage or destroy your hard-earned equipment.

CT

Cool, will do