Which CPU temperature is correct? (HWMonitor)

[Azrael47]

As you can see from the screenshot below there are two readings of my CPU (Circled).





Which one is correct? Why is there two readings? How come one is wrong? etc. etc.


Merci.

 

[nukemaster]

One is an on cpu sensor that is VERY inaccurate at lower temperatures but should get closer at high temperatures.

If you run Prime95 for about 10 min or so, the temps should max out and stabilize. It would be interesting to see those 2 at load.

For intel systems, I always go by what the cpu it self shows(lower value in your image). I have the opposite on my board(board sensor shows way too low.).

 

[Azrael47]

So I should just go by what the second one is stating.

 

[nukemaster]

as long as the temps get to a normal level at load, yes.

I mean you can not have temps under ambient with normal water or heatsink coolers. So unless you are in the freezer, that is not accurate at idle, but if it is accurate at load, I would go with it for sure.

 

[smeezekitty]

The second one is far too low so I would have to go with the first one. In any case, the AMD temp sensors are inferior to intels.

 

[Azrael47]

Yes but I have used two versions of HWMonitor, core temp and speed fan, and they all state the same temp as the second reading. I have a very cool room. Two room fans and windows are open.

Plus I use the windows widgets (CPU meter) and that states the same as well.

 

[nukemaster]

Please test at load. cpu sensors are mainly in place for overheat protection(for sure on the Intel side they are said to be less accurate at low temps).

As far as 2 fans(fans just move air, they do not actually cool it. Animals that do not perspire for cooling would not even notice a fan) and window open. unless it is about 8-10 degrees outside, I doubt the idle temps are even close to accurate.

An example of the opposite on the Intel side. 20c room and the MAX cpu temp is a bug for sure. the low fan speed is the cpu while the higher one is the power supply.

 

[Azrael47]

How should I "Load". I have been playing games such as BF2 in 1920x1080 full screen mode for at least an hour and the GPU was around 60 and the CPU was 30-34 Degrees.

 

[nukemaster]

I would generally say Prime95 is the best way to heat up the cpu. It should take less than 10 minutes to reach near max temps with this program(you just want stress testing, you will not have to join gimps).

This should do the trick.
http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=205

 

[Azrael47]

Ok, I have just been playing BF2 for about 3 hours today and my CPU temps (when round 78% load) where around 40 Degrees.

Is this ok when playing games and having progams such as steam, fraps and hardware monitor open?

 

[nukemaster]

That is a perfectly safe temperature.

Do the CPU and Package temps get closer to one another at load?

 

[Azrael47]

I am using SpeedFan to record my temps.

 

[nukemaster]

If you are not using it for fan control and just temps. HWmon is a bit faster(I personally switched to HWmon from Speedfan many years back.), but it does lack the graph that speedfan can make.

 

[Azrael47]

My temperatures have been overall good when gaming. For example I have been playing Half Life 2 today in 1920x1080 res, everything high, The CPU stayed under 40 Degrees, motherboard was 27 Degrees, HDD was 25 Degrees however the GPU was around 60 Degrees. Just been configuring my Fan RPM managed to get both my top outlet running the same and the 2 140mm intakes the same.

 

[nukemaster]

Your temps seem to be very good. I am curious about what the other "CPU" temp shows when gaming as well.

 

[Azrael47]

Tis an odd reading.

 

[nukemaster]

what does it say?

 

[Azrael47]

Around 20 Degrees when in game.

 

[nukemaster]

So it goes down does it? interesting.

 

[Azrael47]

Yep it is odd. This is a screenshot of my temps when playing Half Life 2. The highest my CPU (temp 1) has been is 42 Degrees, My GPU has also hit 45 Degrees. Are all these temperatures safe? ... are they good?




FYI-
Temp 1 (CPU)
Temp 2 (Motherboard) Highest temp was 30 Degrees
Temp 3 (Ignore)
HD0 (Hard Drive) Highest it has been is 28 Degrees


Fan1 is my water cooler (hence the high RPM) + My system has six cooling fans but stays very quiet as I have the AF120mm Quiet edition fans from Corsair.

 

[smeezekitty]

I have a suspicion that Temp1 is your CPU

 

[nukemaster]

Well, your temps look great everything is WELL in the safe zones.

 

[Azrael47]

Ahh that is good to know. What are your temps like when gaming? What are good and what are bad temps.

The reason my CPU is rather hot is because I have overclocked and increased the voltage from 3.5GHz, 1.3V to 4.1GHz, 1.4V

 

[nukemaster]

Honestly, for video cards 80c is not uncommon when playing a demanding game.

For CPU's AMD users(newer cpus) should try to stay under 60c(AMD specs about 62, but i am 100% sure the cpu can take more) if they can while Intel users(with newer cpus) 70-75c. This is not to say that many overclocker do not push past those numbers without issues.

My personal max would be about 80c video and mid 60s for cpu do not bother me(at least for the cpu I am running). My media centers video card rarely passes 60 even with games and the cpu does not tend to push too far into the 50's.

My "motherboard" or bios cpu sensor shows 53c when my core shows 63c on my main system. So who is right? I go with the hotter numbers.

 

[Azrael47]

ahh thanks man you are awesome!