Screwy Temp readings AMD A10-6800K

[PortraitsbyAdam]

Hey all,

So I just did quite a few upgrades and have noticed a few things I need some answers or insight to. I've installed the H80i GT to the A10-6800K and am noticing a few things very inconsistent. Corsair provides their management software called Corsair Link. AMD provides their software for their CPU called AMD Overdrive. Ive read quite a bit in forums and everyone keeps saying "trust AMD Overdrive for their CPU's over anything else." I would expect a bit cooler reading from a water cooler even at idle.

NOTE: These readings are at stock 4.1GHz, when I use the power saving function it can idle at 1.93GHz at around 45C.
According to AMD Overdrive I can get an idle Thermal Margin of approx. 50-60C.
According to Corsair Link my CPU Package temp is around 60C.
Speccy says its average is around 60-65C
SpeedFan 4.51 says.... Temp1: 31C, Temp2: 31C Ambient: 32C Core:11C
HWMonitor says.... TMPIN0: 32C TMPIN1: 31C... Under AMD A10-6800K for Temperatures, Package: 60-65C
BIOS says: CPU Temp +33C, MB Temp +31C

What the heck man. Makes this kinda hard to pick who to believe when overclocking. I'd prefer (lol) to not burn anything up but keep things under control when overclocking the CPU. Any help?
Hover my avatar for my system specs.

 

[junkeymonkey]

thermal margin it the temps below max so if at load the thrmal margin is 16c that means you got 16c to play with below the max temp or throttling point

the hwmonitor type readings is the temp as it is so if thermal margin shows 50 c hw monitor shows 32c add then and the chips max temp is around 82c before it throttles

so if the max temp for your chip from overdrive figures 85c and overdrive shows a thermal margin of 50 c that should mean the chip is at 35c

and under full load if thermal margin is 16c that means you chips temp is 69c


anywy that's how I understand it

 

[PortraitsbyAdam]

thermal margin it the temps below max so if at load the thrmal margin is 16c that means you got 16c to play with below the max temp or throttling point

the hwmonitor type readings is the temp as it is so if thermal margin shows 50 c hw monitor shows 32c add then and the chips max temp is around 82c before it throttles

so if the max temp for your chip from overdrive figures 85c and overdrive shows a thermal margin of 50 c that should mean the chip is at 35c

and under full load if thermal margin is 16c that means you chips temp is 69c


anywy that's how I understand it

Yeah, I get the thermal margin, it's supposed the degree before it reaches max temp of the chip, which I assume is automatically detected and synced with the manufacturers max of 74C for the A10-6800K. What I don't understand is that when stressed, the thermal margin in AMD Overdrive will say around 10C, meaning in theory it's at 64C, if I look over to the Corsair Link "Package Temp" or HWMonitor, those will say 80-85C. If I could just get to BIOS during stress to see what it says lol.

Regardless, I'd expect much cooler temps from a liquid cooled CPU. At idle right now @1.93GHz, Corsair Link says 44C, HWMonitor says 45C, AMD Overdrive is showing a thermal margin of 70C. NOTE: I have read that AMD's processors have screwy readings at low frequencies, but when stressed the numbers still don't match lol. I turned on AMD Overdrive, and it's @4.92GHz, Thermal Margin reads 45-50C, HWMonitor reads Package Temp at 55C, Corsair Link reads CPU Package Temp at 55C.

Another question: Is this "Package Temp" the socket temp? I could see that being a bit hotter than the "core" temp.

 

[junkeymonkey]

well look these over and see ??
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/all.html?refine=corsair++H80i++temps

you could do a different custom search like h89i hot or what ever and see whats said or something in one of them to help resolve ??

I tghing a lot could do in how the cooler is mounted to the chip ? too loose too tight too much / little paste ?? an few ''little '' things can make a difference in temps and how well it cools overall ??

then the unit may not be all its hyped up to be ??? hard to really say


I forgot tightened down lopsided and not straight even pressure on the chip face

 

[otto21]

I also got the h80i gt, I had the old version before this and my temps were very stable. I got it RMA'd and they sent me the new version, now I am having unstable readings, about 10-20c more then usual.

last night I remounted it for the 3rd time I used about 25% less thermal paste and my temps have reduced by 8c but still not in the range of my old cooler.

I think that the water block is not sitting on the CPU very well. try to remount yours and when you are trying to screw in the bolt on the water bolt make sure the bracket is not caught on the screw threads.

see if that helps

edit: make sure your pump speed on the corsair software is running at performance mode

 

[PortraitsbyAdam]

I also got the h80i gt, I had the old version before this and my temps were very stable. I got it RMA'd and they sent me the new version, now I am having unstable readings, about 10-20c more then usual.

last night I remounted it for the 3rd time I used about 25% less thermal paste and my temps have reduced by 8c but still not in the range of my old cooler.

I think that the water block is not sitting on the CPU very well. try to remount yours and when you are trying to screw in the bolt on the water bolt make sure the bracket is not caught on the screw threads.

see if that helps

edit: make sure your pump speed on the corsair software is running at performance mode

I may have to RMA it and see if it could be a flaw in there somewhere. I've also remounted it 3 times. The initial install I applied the tiniest amount of Arctic Silver 5, the second I wiped some of it off and reinstalled, and the third time I fully cleaned both contacts and reapplied the Arctic Silver 5 (About the size of an uncooked grain of rice). The first two installs were tightened down max, this time they're snug. Still getting readings from Corsair Link at 50-60C and AMD Overdrive says I have a 50C Thermal Margin. The ambient temp here in the room is 21C. Gonna give that a shot and try applying about half the amount of thermal paste and see if there's any difference.

I may troubleshoot this and put the stock heatsink/fan back on just to see if there's a difference, as much as I don't want to disassemble/reassemble things....

I've tightened down the water block in a criss-cross pattern to ensure proper seating. The settings are Performance Mode. I've also tried Max Settings for both the pump and fans and taken the side case panel off. That lowers CPU Package temp by 2-5C. But seriously, I was under the notion that I'd get MUCH better cooling than this, if I trust Corsair Link & HWMonitor and their "CPU Package temp". What's odd is I can stress it a little, raise it to 80C (According to Corsair Link & HWMonitor, AMD Overdrive will say I still have a 20-30C Thermal Margin) shut it down immediately, peek into BIOS as fast as possible and it says CPU Temp to be around 38C.

Who do I trust for readings here? AMD's Software & BIOS VS Corsair Link & HWMonitor. What the f*$k, over........

 

[otto21]

I also got the h80i gt, I had the old version before this and my temps were very stable. I got it RMA'd and they sent me the new version, now I am having unstable readings, about 10-20c more then usual.

last night I remounted it for the 3rd time I used about 25% less thermal paste and my temps have reduced by 8c but still not in the range of my old cooler.

I think that the water block is not sitting on the CPU very well. try to remount yours and when you are trying to screw in the bolt on the water bolt make sure the bracket is not caught on the screw threads.

see if that helps

edit: make sure your pump speed on the corsair software is running at performance mode

I may have to RMA it and see if it could be a flaw in there somewhere. I've also remounted it 3 times. The initial install I applied the tiniest amount of Arctic Silver 5, the second I wiped some of it off and reinstalled, and the third time I fully cleaned both contacts and reapplied the Arctic Silver 5 (About the size of an uncooked grain of rice). The first two installs were tightened down max, this time they're snug. Still getting readings from Corsair Link at 50-60C and AMD Overdrive says I have a 50C Thermal Margin. The ambient temp here in the room is 21C. Gonna give that a shot and try applying about half the amount of thermal paste and see if there's any difference.

I may troubleshoot this and put the stock heatsink/fan back on just to see if there's a difference, as much as I don't want to disassemble/reassemble things....

I've tightened down the water block in a criss-cross pattern to ensure proper seating. The settings are Performance Mode. I've also tried Max Settings for both the pump and fans and taken the side case panel off. That lowers CPU Package temp by 2-5C. But seriously, I was under the notion that I'd get MUCH better cooling than this, if I trust Corsair Link & HWMonitor and their "CPU Package temp". What's odd is I can stress it a little, raise it to 80C (According to Corsair Link & HWMonitor, AMD Overdrive will say I still have a 20-30C Thermal Margin) shut it down immediately, peek into BIOS as fast as possible and it says CPU Temp to be around 38C.

Who do I trust for readings here? AMD's Software & BIOS VS Corsair Link & HWMonitor. What the f*$k, over........

try to run a game for a couple of hours and see what your max min and average temps are. sometimes some chips can run hotter in idle but perform temperature wise very good on load

a uncooked grain of rice is WAY to small. I put roughly the size of a 50% green pea of thermal paste. trust the sensors on HW monitor that pretty much accurate.

there might be a mounting issue with the h80i GT I think iIwas skim reading a post how the cooler fittings are not very good on AMD.

my over clocked 4790k is running 45c idle but it also spikes up to 81c instantly and goes back down.

 

[PortraitsbyAdam]

UPDATE:

Ok well for the 4th time now it is reinstalled. I decided to try the temp readings with the stock heatsink/fan under the same settings.

Stock Heatsink/Fan:
BIOS reads CPU Temp (at boot) @ 31°C
AMD Overdrive reads Thermal Margin @ 45-50°C
Corsair Link/HWMonitor reads CPU Package Temp @60-66°C

My best educated guess here? HWMonitor & Corsair Link may be better in sync with Intel CPU's whereas AMD Overdrive may be better in sync with AMD CPU's.
Even upon touching the CPU it just doesn't feel like it's at 150°F (66°C). It feels a bit warmer than room temp, leading me to believe its around 85°F (31°C).

While it may not be the same for every AMD CPU, it seems to be that way in my case. AMD likes AMD Overdrive.

 

[junkeymonkey]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/thermal-paste-heat-sink-heat-spreader,3600-5.html

I know this in not your cooler but scroll down to where he shows the paste uneven due to the cooler did not get mounted evenly

http://forum.corsair.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156679

when you tighten down the cooler on to the chip you got to do it right to squish the paste just right and even or you get them issues that can cause crazy temps or whatever .. I do think this is where a lot of guys run in to heat issues with there coolers [improper / bad mounting]

like I said it a fine line between right and wrong and can make all the difference in the world in temps

good luck