RealTemp one core colder than the others?

[rpeopler]

I recently upgraded from a Hyper 212+ to a Cooler Master Nepton 140XL Closed Loop. I installed it and ran RealTemp, and I noticed that one core was colder than the others:

http://gyazo.com/de557cad3cec6e6e0f08b59c74b35bbc

Someone mentioned that I may have mounted the cooler poorly, so I reinstalled the cooler and reapplied Arctic Silver 5 (two years old if that makes a difference) but the same results occurred. Is this normal or should I get a new cooler? (I have no warranty as I won it in a contest 🙁 )

 

[clutchc]

If the load wasn't using all threads equally, that will be normal, although 16C is odd. What is ambient temp by you? That's a pretty chilly room.

 

[rpeopler]

My ambient temp is approximately 24C.

 

[clutchc]

My ambient temp is approximately 24C.

Then obviously those temps can't be right. The cooler may be good, but it won't make the temp any colder than ambient.
What processor and MB? AMD?

Edit: NM, I see the processor listed now.

 

[rpeopler]

Eh, the motherboard is an ASRock Z77 Extreme4 that I received for Christmas. I was ecstatic about winning the cooler because I have an inquiring mind and wanted to overclock to at least 4.2 GHz. I used the exact same thermal compound application method as I did on the Hyper 212+, so that can't be the problem.

 

[clutchc]

I don't think it is a problem with the cooler. Those temps are fantastic. In fact, too good to be true. All but one core is lower than the temp of your room. I realize AIO water coolers use an alcohol based coolant, so maybe it can actually slightly lower temps on an idling processor, although it would surprise me if it did. Try this... run prime95 or intel burn test and check the temps at load after a few minutes.

 

[rpeopler]

I ran Intel Burn Test at maximum stress at 3.7 GHz and still reached a pretty significant contrast between core temps: http://gyazo.com/ef0636c06ca2c05cef10ed3538d6fb1a

I wonder why. Are these temperatures bad?

 

[rpeopler]

Oh, God, I overclocked it to 4.0 GHz and Core 2 is reaching 75 while Core 3 is still chilling around 55.

 

[clutchc]

I ran Intel Burn Test at maximum stress at 3.7 GHz and still reached a pretty significant contrast between core temps: http://gyazo.com/ef0636c06ca2c05cef10ed3538d6fb1a

I wonder why. Are these temperatures bad?

Man, I never intended for you to run IBT at max stress. That app is a killer. Moreso than prime95. Just run it at default settings. It wasn't suppose to be a OC stability test, anyway. Just something to load up the cores and see what the max temp was.

I don't think the AMD temp sensors are compatible with RealTemp. I wouldn't go by them. Use the Thermal Margin results shown in AMD OverDrive: http://www.techspot.com/downloads/4645-amd-overdrive.html
It will show the safe distance remaining until throttle. I've found that AMD core temp sensors are... well, flaky. I just use AOD and watch TM from now on.

 

[rpeopler]

^ But I have an Intel chip. .-. (3770k)

 

[clutchc]

^ But I have an Intel chip. .-. (3770k)

Sorry, pal. I was also working with another poster that had an AMD processor. Also a temp issue. Got you two mixed up. My apologies.

 

[rpeopler]

Ah, it's no problem. I just wonder why there is such a significant temperature difference. Maybe the copper backplate is slightly concave and doesn't allow complete contact?

 

[clutchc]

I ran Intel Burn Test at maximum stress at 3.7 GHz and still reached a pretty significant contrast between core temps: http://gyazo.com/ef0636c06ca2c05cef10ed3538d6fb1a

I wonder why. Are these temperatures bad?

Those aren't load temps. They are still idle temps. It says load 2.4%, at 2910 MHz.

 

[rpeopler]

I should have specified: I meant the maximum temperatures listed in RealTemp. 😛

 

[clutchc]

I should have specified: I meant the maximum temperatures listed in RealTemp. 😛

But your link is still showing idle temps. (load 3.5%) I have no idea what your load or max temps are.

 

[rpeopler]

It shows the min/max(under load) temps under the main temperatures.

 

[Xavier Bouttier]

It's 100% impossible to reach a lower temp than ambient room temperature, unless you are using freon or liquid nitrogen, but if that was the case, your cpu block would be causing condensation inside the case and you could say goodbye to your xmas present.

All this points to the fact that the measurements are faulty, either software or hardware side.

 

[Xavier Bouttier]

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html

Try installing and running that, and see if the results are similar.

 

[rpeopler]

^ Yeah, the results are identical to those of RealTemp.