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Q9650 quad core query

CurlyWhirly

CurlyWhirly

CurlyWhirly

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I've just ran SIW (below)


2lar9g3.jpg



My Intel Core2 Quad Q9650 always seems to run with 2 cores hotter than the other 2 - is this normal? (highlighted above)

Before I start, I'm new to modern processors as I've only recently upgraded my PC as it was crashing occasionally with a BSOD and I was getting fed up with it.

My old processor was an Athlon XP 3000+ :o


Also, the maximum temperature the processor can take appears to be just over 71C according to this

This is quite a bit lower than my old processor (that could take up to 95C) and in light of this does anyone think that I should enable the 'Shutdown Temperature' option in the BIOS and set it to shut the PC off when the processor reaches 70C to help protect it :confused:

I'm looking to overclock the processor using a Foxconn utility on disc and want to make sure my processor doesn't overheat.

I'm not going for a big overclock as I don't want to push it too much.

I've read on here and the general consensus is that the Q9650 is a good overclocking processor.

Thanks for reading :)
 
You're not going to kill it unless you stick 2v through it and leave it running at 120c.

Always overclock through the bios as it gives you the most control and stability.

Your CPU might breach 71c but don't worry - this is a safety margin and it depends what the temperature is being measured with.
 
yeah it's normal to have a few degrees difference, although 10 seems more than normal, are you sure the cpu heatsink is seated properly?
 
reflux said:
You're not going to kill it unless you stick 2v through it and leave it running at 120c.

Always overclock through the bios as it gives you the most control and stability.

Your CPU might breach 71c but don't worry - this is a safety margin and it depends what the temperature is being measured with.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice.



CaseyChaos said:
yeah it's normal to have a few degrees difference, although 10 seems more than normal, are you sure the cpu heatsink is seated properly?
Click to expand...
It seems solid enough and isn't loose :confused:
 
CaseyChaos said:
yeah it's normal to have a few degrees difference, although 10 seems more than normal, are you sure the cpu heatsink is seated properly?
Click to expand...

Even when one of my cores is being maxed out and the others are mostly idle, I never get more than 3-4°C difference (Q6600). What cooler are you using? The pushpin ones are a pain in the bum to seat properly.
 
miniyazz said:
Even when one of my cores is being maxed out and the others are mostly idle, I never get more than 3-4°C difference (Q6600). What cooler are you using? The pushpin ones are a pain in the bum to seat properly.
Click to expand...
It's a pushpin design on mine but I'm not sure of the name of the HSF as I never built it.
 
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reflux said:
You're not going to kill it unless you stick 2v through it and leave it running at 120c.
Click to expand...

And there was a bit of hyperbole here :p
You will certainly start to reduce its operating lifespan if you run it at more than 1.5 volts at high temperatures, but I can't give you any absolute cut-offs for 24/7 operation!

Anyway, on quite a few motherboards (or CPUs, I can't remember which handles it) if the temperature gets too high, it will automatically lower the voltage/clock speed on the CPU to stop it from frying.
 
miniyazz said:
Anyway, on quite a few motherboards (or CPUs, I can't remember which handles it) if the temperature gets too high, it will automatically lower the voltage/clock speed on the CPU to stop it from frying.
Click to expand...
Does that happen with Intel processors then :confused:

It never happened on my old processor (AMD Athlon XP 3000+) and I couldn't even use the BIOS as the 'Shutdown Temperature' on my Gigabyte motheboard was fixed at 110C and, as the processor could only take 95C, by the time this setting kicked in, my processor would be frazzled to a crisp anyway :rolleyes:
 
I have a lapped QX9650 and have the same 10C difference between cores. I have reseated the CPU numerous times but it appears that for some apparent reason one side is cooler than the other. I've put it down to the fact that the other side of my mobo is not entirely flat and is some how effecting my temps.

Hope this helps.
 
CurlyWhirly said:
Does that happen with Intel processors then :confused:
Click to expand...

I believe so (but don't take my word for it). Also, there was a bit of concern over the top-end Pentium 4s - Intel was trying for higher and higher clocks at any cost, and the throttling temperature was a bit too close to normal operating temperatures (I don't remember specifics) but the net result was either that the processors started throttling during normal operation, or that they were running too hot and therefore damaged themselves, and performance suffered.
Anyway, throttling isn't a good thing, but you shouldn't run into problems with that. Just don't let load temperatures get above a set point, and take into account that your room temperature may vary on different days, so you may need to lower the overclock in summer, for example.
 
beh* said:
I have a lapped QX9650 and have the same 10C difference between cores. I have reseated the CPU numerous times but it appears that for some apparent reason one side is cooler than the other. I've put it down to the fact that the other side of my mobo is not entirely flat and is some how effecting my temps.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Yes thanks for the feedback :)

I'm not so worried now.
 
miniyazz said:
I believe so (but don't take my word for it). Also, there was a bit of concern over the top-end Pentium 4s - Intel was trying for higher and higher clocks at any cost, and the throttling temperature was a bit too close to normal operating temperatures (I don't remember specifics) but the net result was either that the processors started throttling during normal operation, or that they were running too hot and therefore damaged themselves, and performance suffered.
Anyway, throttling isn't a good thing, but you shouldn't run into problems with that. Just don't let load temperatures get above a set point, and take into account that your room temperature may vary on different days, so you may need to lower the overclock in summer, for example.
Click to expand...
Yes I'll be careful with the overclocking especially in the summer.

I only want to overclock my CPU to match the overclocking on my graphics card as they both complement each other when gaming.
 
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