Hi there, last week I build my new desktop (signature). I overclocked the CPU to 3.2GHz 100% stable, but RealTemp show big diferences in the cores temps. The core 0 is always 8-11ºC above the other cores (idle and load). Is that normal or there is a problem with my setup?

The pics below is under load, stressed up all cores with Prime95 for 1+ hour.

Is your heatsink seated properly?

Yes, was installed very carefully

Not sure then. Try reseating it anyway, and while you're doing that, check that the thermal paste is evenly distributed on the bottom of the heatsink.

Even if one of the cores IS still higher, 57C load for that processor is perfectly fine.

thats quite similar to what happens to me with my E6300 ()...my core 0 is slightly warmer than my core 1...I think it has something to do with Core0 being the primary one which windows and single threaded applications use (ie the more intensley used one) and is probably why it is warmer...

Ok probably tomorrow I'll reseat it and check the thermal paste. Yes, the temp is fine but that diference is somewhat annoying.



Oh yes I was thinking the same thing, but not sure of that. I think 8-11ºC is too much.

Could also be an issue with the processor IHS and/or heatsink surface, one or both being rather..unflat. Have you taken the heatsink off to check where your thermal paste is?

I just check the heatsink and the thermal paste, everything is just fine. The thermal paste is well distributed, the heatsink is firmly seated, but the temps are the same.

The surfaces seem flat or not so unflat to produce a 10ºC diference to one core.

BTW... Which is the max secure core temp for this CPU?

Open up RealTemp and check the Tjunction max. Anything -20 or 30 of that value should be safe.

TJ Max is 95 in all cores

Then 57C (the highest out of all your cores) is a perfectly normal temperature

Seeing as how your Q9450 is overclocked, take a look at his thread here.

http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=642085

Oh.. Ill post in that overclock database when complete the prime95 8+ hours test... I passed it but no screenshot

I'm not sure how accurate these readings are...

Well, realtemp has pretty much been the most accurate temperature reading software for the Penryn chips. It was calibrated with hardware temperature monitors by members over at XS and unclewebb has adjusted the program so it's been the most accurate. As for the difference in core temperatures...don't know about that.

I know for sure that realtemp reads the Wolfdales temps correctly, Coretemp and other programs had been using a tjmax of 105°C, when in reality it was 95°C for the desktop variants of the Wolfdales. I assume that the Yorkfields probably had the same tjmax confusion.

But so far from what I hear, CoreTemp is still the best for Conroe chips.

However, he's running a Penryn.

Yes, well just as an aside

On/off topic, what is a good cooler anyways, with a good price/performance ratio. I don't think my Zalman cuts it... realtemp has one of my cores getting kinda high.

Xigmatek HDT-S1284

Performs just as good as the Thermalright Ultra-120, but approximately $15-20 cheaper.

Here's link (Newegg): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16835233017

And here's a review on FrostyTech: http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2233

EDIT: Before you even consider getting that actually, what is your budget and why do you need a new HSF? Do you want to push your Core 2 Extreme even further or what? And what are your temperatures? Maybe post a screenshot of the RealTemp window.