Very confused about Intel core I3 4130 temperature

[Dave Thompson]

HI, Please help.

There seems to be alot of confusion about temps, and I have read much conflicting information.
It started after I accidently disturbed the heat sink on my new computer and was forced into learning how to re-apply the paste. The first attempt gave me higher temps, so I reapplied it, this time using q-tips with a little lighter fluid. The temps came back to what they were originally. I "think" all is OK, but I am still confused. CPUID HWmonitor reports the following (baring in mind these were recorded during a video render using 85-90% cpu):

TZ00: 28c
TZ01: 30c
TMPIN0: 43c
TMPIN1: 128c (I believe that to be a false number)
TMPIN2: 54-56c (I suspect that to be my CPU temp, although not sure)
Core 0: 58-66c
Core 1: 55-63c
(these are 32-38 during idle)

I tried using the alarm system in the BIOS to sound when CPU temp reached 60c, so I ran "heavy load", and it didn't sound until TMPIN2 reached it, while the core temps were around 70.
The Intel diagnostics software passed it with flying colours, stating that it was 60c below the maximum, and 40 below on the second test. The specs for the CPU say that 72c is the maximum safe temp. If TMPIN2 is the sensor Intel are using for their 72c number, then I can relax, but I can't help focussing on the core temps wondering why there is no mention of them in the Intel specs.

Is TMPIN2 my CPU temp? If that reaches the "safe" 72c, my core temps will be at 80, so would that still be a safe number for the cores?

So confused about all this, and would love to lay the issue to rest and get on with enjoying my new system without nervousness.

Many thanks.

 

[Dave Thompson]

Anyone please?

 

[Karsten75]

Sorry, I see this "slipped though the cracks"

Intel provides a single value - the Tcase value for thermal specifications. They define that as follows: Case Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS).

Since that is the heat that they make available where the user can remove it, that is what they figure is important. There are a multitude of monitoring applications on the market, and it's not clear that they all monitor, interpret and report on these values the same.

Intel "under the covers" will throttle (and apply Turbo Boost) to the individual cores that exceed the Intel-defined safe temperatures for cores.

Motherboard manufactures have additional sources of extreme heat on the motherboard. Only in a few cases do they cool it with heatsinks or fans.

The only thing that I find slightly puzzling in your narrative is why of all things you used lighter fluid to clean the heatsink?

 

[Dave Thompson]

Ahh, I had given up hope on this post

I had no idea PC temperatures were so confusing. I'm about to confuse myself again now with fitting 2 fans, and will make another post. Yes, the lighter fluid worked very well. I have used it many times for removing glue and grease and other nasties, and it appeared to have worked well in this situation too. I would recommend it as an alternative to "rubbing alcohol", unless anyone has reason to disagree.

 

[djfeutz]

Ahh, I had given up hope on this post

I had no idea PC temperatures were so confusing. I'm about to confuse myself again now with fitting 2 fans, and will make another post. Yes, the lighter fluid worked very well. I have used it many times for removing glue and grease and other nasties, and it appeared to have worked well in this situation too. I would recommend it as an alternative to "rubbing alcohol", unless anyone has reason to disagree.

Lighter fluid will leave a residue as it is oil(/cough PETROLEUM)based.
Last thing you want on your cpu is residue let alone an oil ,,,,