Auura,
The insights, suggestions and advice that
Karadjgne has provided is well founded. There are, however, a few additional considerations I would like to bring to your attention.
In order to level the playing field so we can compare apples to apples, it's necessary to minimize as many variables as possible. By replicating test conditions that conform to Intel's datasheets and applying a methodical approach, variables can be minimized so results will be consistent, repeatable and easier to compare.
Unfortunately, most of the thermal values you see in various forums are the result of make-it-up-as-you-go adaptations of haphazard approaches taken without regard for environment, hardware or software variables. Many users apply the term "idle" very loosely, where "idle" is instead a light workload. When combined with differences in ambient temperature, this why you see so much variation in idle temperature numbers that get flung around like gorilla poo in a cage.
Idle means
minimal software activity where you leave your rig to settle quietly and undisturbed for at least 10 minutes. No programs or screensaver running, and off line. No Folding or SETI or "tray-trash" or unnecessary startups, processes and services running in the background, and just
1 or 2% CPU Utilization under the "Performance" tab in Windows Task Manager.
These test conditions reduce the variables to their lowest common denominators. In a well ventilated case, with default power saving features enabled in BIOS and Windows Power Options set to "Balanced", you should be able to achieve the lowest possible power consumption and idle temperatures. With high-end cooling, idle can be as low as 3°C above ambient.
As with "idle" temperatures, "full load" is another popular user term that's very loosely applied, which could mean anything. This also introduces another HUGE set of variables. “Stress” tests vary widely and can be characterized into two categories;
stability tests which are
fluctuating workloads, and
thermal tests which are
steady workloads. Utilities that don't
overload or
underload your processor will give you a valid thermal baseline.
Here’s a comparison of utilities grouped as
thermal and
stability tests according to % of TDP, averaged across six processor Generations at stock settings rounded to the nearest 5%:
Although these tests range from
70% to 130% TDP workload, Windows Task Manager interprets every test as
100% CPU Utilization, which is processor resource activity,
not actual workload. Core temperatures respond directly to Power consumption (Watts), which is driven by workload. Prime95 v29.8 Small FFT’s
(AVX disabled) provides a
steady 100% workload.
Shown above from left to right: Small FFT's, Blend, Linpack and IntelBurn Test.
Note the
steady thermal signature of Small FFT's, which allows accurate measurements of Core temperatures.
A steady 100% workload is key for thermal testing so the CPU, cooler, socket, motherboard and voltage regulators can thermally stabilize.
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, and AIDA64 has
15 possible CPU related stress test selections which impose
15 different levels of workloads that yield
15 different Core temperatures. That's a lot of variables. Although the individual CPU test is a steady workload, it's just 70% TDP, which is poorly suited for testing anything. Only the CPU/FPU test combination is about 100% TDP workload. All other AIDA64 test selections are fluctuating workloads which are suitable for
stability testing, but not so much for
thermal testing.
So the bottom line is to be mindful of your methods and approach with respect to what you're testing, and the variables involved, so you can achieve meaningful baseline results. If you read forum threads where the user fails to provide basic details such as full system specs and ambient temperature, or doesn't define "idle" conditions or "load" software, then I would be sceptical and would expect those numbers to be skewed by a large assortment of variables.
CT
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