Help - CPU temp

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I just build a new system w/AMD XP3000+. In the bios, the hardware manager
says that the cpu temp is 51C.

I downloaded SandraSoft, and it tells me that my cpu temp is 36C.

Which should I believe? Motherboard monitor does not support my motherboard
(Matsonic 8177C). Any better utilities?

TIA.
 
I just build a new system w/AMD XP3000+. In the bios, the hardware manager
says that the cpu temp is 51C.

I downloaded SandraSoft, and it tells me that my cpu temp is 36C.

Which should I believe? Motherboard monitor does not support my motherboard
(Matsonic 8177C). Any better utilities?

TIA.
Click to expand...

Usually theres several temp readings - one for the CPU and one for the
motherboard which is way lower.

Thats one of the reasons I like to stick with Abit and Asus etc
eventhough I have my beefs about them. The well known makes , they are
supported more widely by hardware and software makers if I need
something thats specific to a motherboard.

I can never remember centigrade readings. My 2500@3200 is around 114 F
with the retail fan.
 
I just build a new system w/AMD XP3000+. In the bios, the hardware manager
says that the cpu temp is 51C.

I downloaded SandraSoft, and it tells me that my cpu temp is 36C.

Which should I believe? Motherboard monitor does not support my motherboard
(Matsonic 8177C). Any better utilities?

TIA.
Click to expand...

Believe the BIOS.
 
nospam said:
I just build a new system w/AMD XP3000+. In the bios, the hardware manager
says that the cpu temp is 51C.

I downloaded SandraSoft, and it tells me that my cpu temp is 36C.

Which should I believe? Motherboard monitor does not support my motherboard
(Matsonic 8177C). Any better utilities?

TIA.
Click to expand...
Have you actually tried MBM with your system? The fact that your particular
MB isn't in their supported list in no way means that it won't actually work
with the program. My Shuttle system's odd mini-MB isn't on the list either
but all I had to do was tell it which monitoring chip was being used and it
worked fine -- took a few extra minutes of setup but that isn't very
difficult.
 
The data might be displayed incorrectly, e.g. the VIA hardware monitor on my Soyo motherboard displays CPU temperature as system temperature, and system temperature as CPU temperature.
 
I just build a new system w/AMD XP3000+. In the bios, the hardware manager
says that the cpu temp is 51C.

I downloaded SandraSoft, and it tells me that my cpu temp is 36C.

Which should I believe? Motherboard monitor does not support my motherboard
(Matsonic 8177C). Any better utilities?

TIA.
Click to expand...

Don't rely on Sandra. The bios might be right, or at least closer to
correct (might still be off by a few degress) but then again 51C isn't all
that high a temp for that CPU if you don't have a good heatsink.

On the other hand, if the Matsonic board has the HALT bus disconnect
feature activated then the CPU might actually be idling at the lower 36C
once it's booted to windows.

Is it instable? Run stress tests like Prime95, CPUburn, and see if it's
stable for several hours. Also consider the ambient temps.. if it'll be
warmer in summer then you need to elevate the ambient temp to that range
to get an accurate idea of year-round thermal margin.
 
thanks for all the replies.

I tend to think the 36C is correct. The system is stable, and I can put my
finger on the side of the heatsink all the way down toward the processor and
it does not feel hot at all.

Could you tell me a little bit more about the HALT bus disconnect
feature?

TIA!

BTW, running 3 case fans, standard fan/heatsink that came with the 3000+,
and a fan on ti4800 video card.
 
thanks for all the replies.

I tend to think the 36C is correct. The system is stable, and I can put my
finger on the side of the heatsink all the way down toward the processor and
it does not feel hot at all.

Could you tell me a little bit more about the HALT bus disconnect
feature?

TIA!

BTW, running 3 case fans, standard fan/heatsink that came with the 3000+,
and a fan on ti4800 video card.
Click to expand...

There are two chipset registers that need to be set for the CPU to
HLT-ldle when the OS supports it, typically via ACPI power managment
feature that can be enabled in Win98/ME or is by default in Win2K/XP.

Those registers can be set by board manufacturer with the bios, to either
value... sometimes they give user access to the setting but other times
they don't... in the past enabling the feature could bring about
performace issues, especially in real-time activities like video capture,
as it takes a few cycles for the cpu to switch from sleep state to active
again. Some chipset utilities can also set these registers if the bios
doesn't allow for it, but then you're doing your own troubleshooting if
something goes wrong, as it easily can when you start programming
registers yourself.

On a Matsonic board I would be suspicious, if they enabled that feature
not even caring if it hurts performance but rather doing so because it's
gentler on the board, not having to supply as much power "on average",
might be one way to get a marginal design/components to last a bit longer.
I can't be sure this is the case though, but for any system you want peak
performance from, you should have that disabled... but then your heatsink
may be an issue too if it's already at 51C before full load.


Google searches will provide a more comprehensive overview.
 
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