Intel E8400 temperature

[flibble]

Hi

I just built a new system with an Intel E8400 dual core 3.00ghz plugged into a shiny Asus P5NT Deluxe. The first incarnation saw the processor running at over 70 degrees! So, suspecting a dodgy heatsink (using the stock Intel one that comes with the processor) I returned it to OC, who refunded immediately (thanks!). After some further research to check that there wasn't a generally acknowledged issue with these processors, I ordered a replacement. This one is now installed, again with the stock heatsink and runs pretty steadily at 56 or 57 degrees. I've seen it climb to 60. The motherboard seems steady at 44.

What I cannot tell is whether this is OK or not. I've read lots about the unreliability of the sensors/software and conflicting statements about what constitutes an OK temp range and what does not.

I'm running the Asus PC Probe software as well as Speedfan and Realtemp and they all report the same temperatures, so I guess it's likely that the figures are accurate enough.

So, do I have an issue here? If the CPU is running hotter than it should, will that impact performance? How do I check this? What should I do?

I'm not the expert that may seem to be in this forum regarding hardware (I'm a software person) so be gentle with me

Thanks in anticipation

 

[nightwish]

The only software I trust to correctly read the temperture of these CPUs is RealTemp. Install that and see how the readings compare.

I'm gonna guess that RealTemp will read exactly 10 degreees cooler than anything else - so your current reading of 56 or 57 degrees is probably actually 46-47 degrees, which is probably as good as you can expect with the stock cooler.

Edit: oh sorry you've already checked with RealTemp doh! I assume those temps are load, not idle?

Well I do trust RealTemp at the end of the day, so if it says that your temps are 56 degrees than it's probably right. Personally I'd just get a better heatsink - Thermalright ones get my vote. They should knock 10-20 degrees off the stock heatsink.

 

[flibble]

Thanks for the fast reply.

Actually, I just ran RealTemp again and it's showing a core temp of 43 whereas the Asus probe software says 57, assuming I'm reading the figures right, so I must be mistaken about what I thought it said yesterday.

The BIOS however says the temp in about 65!

So I have a possible temperature range of between 43 (Realtemp) and 65 (Bios) with Asus probe in the middle at 57!

Thanks for the advice regarding heatsinks.

Is my CPU running at full speed or will it slow itself down if it is too hot and how can I check?

 

[nightwish]

Don't believe the BIOS! I was running an E8400 in an Abit IP35 Pro and it thought the CPU was at 256 degrees! Nearly gave me a heart attack! Updating to the latest BIOS fixed it though.

I still reckon RealTemp wins. If you have some time to spare, read through that thread on XS to see how the program has been developed. It's pretty detailed and convincing (to me anyway).

OK, your CPU will only start to slow down if it gets hotter than a particular threshold called the TJMax. Now, RealTemp tells you the 'Distance to TJMax'. In other words, this is how much hotter the CPU must get before it starts to slow down.

For a variety of reasons (well mainly Intel not keeping people in the loop) no-one knows exactly what the TJMax is for E8400 CPUs. RealTemp assumes it is at 95 degrees though. So your CPU should be at or over 95 degress before starting to throttle.

 

[Duke]

How good is your case cooling? It won't take long for heat to build up if poorly vented

 

[flibble]

How good is your case cooling? It won't take long for heat to build up if poorly vented

Not sure how to answer that question. It's a cheap case, that I do know but it has a fan and the fan is working. How can I establish if the case is a factor in this?

I've just taken the side off to see what happens to the temp

 

[flibble]

If you have some time to spare, read through that thread on XS to see how the program has been developed. It's pretty detailed and convincing (to me anyway).

Yes, just read through the report at http://www.techpowerup.com/realtemp/docs.php . Convincing *and* reassuring. Seems like my E8400 (which coincidentally is featured in the report) is probably running at about the expected temp, which is a relief.

Taking the side off my case has dropped the temp as reported by the Asus probe to 53 and RealTemp to 39/37.

That said... and entirely different topic which I won't expect to see answered in this thread... I'm a little disappointed with the performance of this system relative to the old AMD XP Athlon it replaced. Oh well!

 

[byteagig]

I'm a little disappointed with the performance of this system relative to the old AMD XP Athlon it replaced. Oh well!

you probably wont notice much difference when just browsing, desktop stuff ect.. its when you do processor intensive tasks like video encoding, photo editing and the like is when you should really notice the difference

 

[tutu]

I'm a little disappointed with the performance of this system relative to the old AMD XP Athlon it replaced. Oh well!

Are you kidding? A 8400 will destroy an Athlon XP at anything including windows performance. Maybe you should upgrade to Windows Vista? On a Athlon XP it barely runs but on a 8400 it flys. I know because I've tried it I would have reinstalled XP but the persons PC that I was upgrading didn't want to go back.

Have you done a clean install? Updated your motherboad BIOS? Your CPU will also be running at 2Ghz due to speedstep in windows.. but it's still very fast so I've left it enabled.

I noticed a big jump in Vista performance going from a Athlon 64 X2 4400+!

 

[flibble]

Temp whilst doing some mpeg video conversion to wmv and CPU at about 70-80% for approx 20 mins:

(side off case off too)