What is my CPU temp? Getting different readings from different apps? (Reason for random reboots?)

[NeilF]

Over the past week I've had a few reboots when playing games...

Today I left my side panel off, and all has been OK.

So I thought I'd investigate my CPU temp...

I noticed my Asus AI Suite seems to be showing CPU temps about 10 degrees less than I'm getting from other software (eg: MCS Afterburner, SpeedFan).

Given I'd defined my fans to speed up as the CPU temp goes up, I'm wondering if maybe they're not ramping up as expected because Asus AI Suite is not looking at a valid temp?

So here a screen shot of me running at 100% CPU. Note the values in red circles... Anything stand out?

Hopefully this link to my image should work - https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/544734/temps.png

 

[NeilF]

Here's someone reporting the same thing as me. Asus AI Suite reporting a temp 10 degrees below what they's expect - https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?34206-AI-Suite-III-Incorrect-Temperatures/page2

The last post gives a possible explanation why:-

About the temps in AI Suite III: I saw a video on AnandTech about overclocking Haswell in which "JJ" from ASUS said the reported temperature is based on a weighted value of a sensor on the mobo under the socket, combined with other temps reported by cpu etc. Not sure if that video is also on this site somewhere...

 

[NeilF]

More to the point, I'm wondering if the periodic reboots I'm getting are down to heat? eg: My CPU or MB seeing a temp it doesn't like?

And I've programmed my fans in Asus AI Suite according to actual CPU core temps, instead of what it's seemingly using, an intel recommended temp of an average between CPU and some other sensor, which are ten or more degrees less than I'm basing things on!