core temp v socket temp for fx bulldozer
- Thread starter ghost12
- Start date
What's the question? Are you asking max temps or differences in temps or which to take most note of ? My core temps vary rapidly from 20c to 56c depending on load whereas the socket temp is usually higher, more stable and varies from 36c to 54c. I monitor both temps and keep them below 60c but i am sure for short periods up to 65c is tolerable. The core temps can spike higher than the socket temp though so I always monitor core temps. When i oc'd to 5ghz i saw spikes in core temps around 63 to 68c while the socket temp was showing 62c. I hope all that ramble makes sense ! 
Core Temps come from a series of sensors on the DIE its self, they are placed all around the DIE, Programs like HWMonitor take the reading from all of them and then calculate the average and display that as Core temps with the same reading across the cores.
CPU Temp comes from a sensor directly under the CPU, its actually there to measure the heat transfer to the socket.
Now because the CPU cooler sucks the heat off the top (or DIE end) the temps there are lower than they are under the CPU, (where there is no cooling).
Hence the cooler core temps and the huge variation in the difference of those temps from one rig to another, the reason being is a better cooler can suck more heat off the DIE.
Its simple
CPU Temp comes from a sensor directly under the CPU, its actually there to measure the heat transfer to the socket.
Now because the CPU cooler sucks the heat off the top (or DIE end) the temps there are lower than they are under the CPU, (where there is no cooling).
Hence the cooler core temps and the huge variation in the difference of those temps from one rig to another, the reason being is a better cooler can suck more heat off the DIE.
Its simple
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Yes, those temps are really good, AMD recommend max temps of 65c for the BD. Sounds like you have good cooling and with those temps plenty of headroom for clocking higher if you wanted. As for which to take most note of, I play safe and monitor both core and socket temps and try to keep them both below 60c under load.
AMD cpus don't actually have a thermal sensor on the die. The socket temp comes from a sensor underneath the cpu socket. The core temp is derived from this sensor using a formula which takes current load into account. AMD know how much power each operation requires and so they can predict the heat it will generate.
The core temp is inaccurate below 46 degrees, but gets more accurate the closer the temp gets to this number. After 46 degrees the core temp is very accurate and within about 1 degree of the actual temperature.
The core temp is the one you should be watching rather than socket temp. AMD's maximum temp ratings are based on the core temp.
The core temp is inaccurate below 46 degrees, but gets more accurate the closer the temp gets to this number. After 46 degrees the core temp is very accurate and within about 1 degree of the actual temperature.
The core temp is the one you should be watching rather than socket temp. AMD's maximum temp ratings are based on the core temp.