Intel Core 2 Temperature Issues

Hi,

I'm experiencing problems with Intel Core 2 E6800 temperatures on my
ASUS mainboard, but part of the problem is I don't even know if the
values I'm seeing reported on screen are correct or not!

I've created a quick web page with a screen shot and details here

http://www.xp20.dircon.co.uk/hardware/

Does these readings make sense?

--
Gerry_uk

Gerry_uk wrote:
Hi,

I'm experiencing problems with Intel Core 2 E6800 temperatures on my
ASUS mainboard, but part of the problem is I don't even know if the
values I'm seeing reported on screen are correct or not!

I've created a quick web page with a screen shot and details here

http://www.xp20.dircon.co.uk/hardware/

Does these readings make sense?

Well from what I understand the core 2 duo cpu's have an old style sensor
diode under the integrated heat spreader (The BIOS uses that for temp
measurement) and 2 digital sensors one above each core.
It's not uncommon for the measurements taken from the diode and core sensors
to vary.
Intel also provide a utility to access the core sensors and apply some
stress testing.
Available for download here
http://anonforums.com/builds/TAT.zip
HTH

Looking at those temps, I'm inclined to think that the Probe II reading is
not to be trusted. As for the CoteTemp readings, they're a bit high if those
readings were taken at idle. I would re-check that the heatsink is properly
mated to the motherboard, and making good contact with the CPU heatspreader.
In any case, a good aftermarket cooler (with artic silver 5) is a much
better cooling solution than the stock HSF.

-phil


"Fred" wrote in message
...
Gerry_uk wrote:
Hi,

I'm experiencing problems with Intel Core 2 E6800 temperatures on my
ASUS mainboard, but part of the problem is I don't even know if the
values I'm seeing reported on screen are correct or not!

I've created a quick web page with a screen shot and details here

http://www.xp20.dircon.co.uk/hardware/

Does these readings make sense?

Well from what I understand the core 2 duo cpu's have an old style sensor
diode under the integrated heat spreader (The BIOS uses that for temp
measurement) and 2 digital sensors one above each core.
It's not uncommon for the measurements taken from the diode and core
sensors to vary.
Intel also provide a utility to access the core sensors and apply some
stress testing.
Available for download here
http://anonforums.com/builds/TAT.zip
HTH

Hi Phil,

Looking at those temps, I'm inclined to think that the Probe II reading is
not to be trusted.

This is the strange thing; the recent BIOS update I applied to this
board states that it's purpose is to provide more accurate temparature
readings. The old BIOS gave lower readings.

As for the CoteTemp readings, they're a bit high if those
readings were taken at idle.

Yes it was Idle for two hours.

I would re-check that the heatsink is properly
mated to the motherboard, and making good contact with the CPU heatspreader.
In any case, a good aftermarket cooler (with artic silver 5) is a much
better cooling solution than the stock HSF.

Yup, this is exactly what I tried to do and failed

Here's the ASUS readings as I went along:

Intel cooler, old ASUS BIOS [CPU 50 idle, 60 load]
Intel cooler, new ASUS BIOS [CPU 55 idle, 65 load]
Zalman cooler, new ASUS BIOS [CPU 61 idle, 62 load]

I originally thought the problem was either the Intel cooler is no good
or the thermal contact between CPU and heatsink was flawed. I took off
the Intel cooler and the thermal compound was all squashed down BUT it
had some small holes in it, as if there wasn't enough.

I assumed this was the problem and got the Zalman cooler and the Actic
Silver 5. I took out the whole MB, reseated the CPU, cleaned everything
and let dry. Put quite a lot of Actic 5 on the CPU, bolted down the
Zalman, then used a torch to look at the connection. Everything looks
flat and some compound has squashed out the sides.

I put everything back assuming it was all fixed now, and total
disappointment as I see the idle temp is WORSE than before!

I note the Zalman heatsink is COLD. Could it be the junction is still
flawed?

What I did next was disconnect the CPU fan and power up again. This time
the heatsink became extremely hot, extremely quickly, so to me it seems
the heat transfer _is_ occurring?

I'm out of ideas

--
Gerry_uk

Fred wrote:

Intel also provide a utility to access the core sensors and apply some
stress testing.
Available for download here
http://anonforums.com/builds/TAT.zip
HTH

Thanks Fred, I'd like to try this, but "anonforums" doesn't sound like
Intel! Do Intel have a link to it?

--
Gerry_uk

They make sense but they seem high. My E6600 (running completely stock,
not overclocked) is reporting temps in the mid-30's (C), and I believe
it, the heatsink isn't even warm. I'd wonder if the heatsink is mounted
properly. This is the best CPU I've ever used.


Gerry_uk wrote:
Hi,

I'm experiencing problems with Intel Core 2 E6800 temperatures on my
ASUS mainboard, but part of the problem is I don't even know if the
values I'm seeing reported on screen are correct or not!

I've created a quick web page with a screen shot and details here

http://www.xp20.dircon.co.uk/hardware/

Does these readings make sense?

It does seem to be a bit on the high side for running 'stock'. I have the
E6400 and a Zalman cooler as well, and running unstressed the temps are
around 41C - 42C, using Core Temp. Overclocked, the cores go to as high as
71C before I chicken out and lower everything. One thing that may mess up
your heat transfer is applying too much Arctic Silver 5 - I noticed you
saying you used a lot of it. You really want only a thin layer spread
evenly over the heatspreader. God luck in figuring this problem out.


"Gerry_uk" wrote in message
...
Hi Phil,

Looking at those temps, I'm inclined to think that the Probe II reading
is not to be trusted.

This is the strange thing; the recent BIOS update I applied to this board
states that it's purpose is to provide more accurate temparature readings.
The old BIOS gave lower readings.

As for the CoteTemp readings, they're a bit high if those readings were
taken at idle.

Yes it was Idle for two hours.

I would re-check that the heatsink is properly mated to the motherboard,
and making good contact with the CPU heatspreader. In any case, a good
aftermarket cooler (with artic silver 5) is a much better cooling
solution than the stock HSF.

Yup, this is exactly what I tried to do and failed

Here's the ASUS readings as I went along:

Intel cooler, old ASUS BIOS [CPU 50 idle, 60 load]
Intel cooler, new ASUS BIOS [CPU 55 idle, 65 load]
Zalman cooler, new ASUS BIOS [CPU 61 idle, 62 load]

I originally thought the problem was either the Intel cooler is no good or
the thermal contact between CPU and heatsink was flawed. I took off the
Intel cooler and the thermal compound was all squashed down BUT it had
some small holes in it, as if there wasn't enough.

I assumed this was the problem and got the Zalman cooler and the Actic
Silver 5. I took out the whole MB, reseated the CPU, cleaned everything
and let dry. Put quite a lot of Actic 5 on the CPU, bolted down the
Zalman, then used a torch to look at the connection. Everything looks flat
and some compound has squashed out the sides.

I put everything back assuming it was all fixed now, and total
disappointment as I see the idle temp is WORSE than before!

I note the Zalman heatsink is COLD. Could it be the junction is still
flawed?

What I did next was disconnect the CPU fan and power up again. This time
the heatsink became extremely hot, extremely quickly, so to me it seems
the heat transfer _is_ occurring?

I'm out of ideas

--
Gerry_uk

On Sun, 17 Sep 2006 15:49:47 +0100, Gerry_uk
wrote:

Hi Phil,

Looking at those temps, I'm inclined to think that the Probe II reading is
not to be trusted.

This is the strange thing; the recent BIOS update I applied to this
board states that it's purpose is to provide more accurate temparature
readings. The old BIOS gave lower readings.

As for the CoteTemp readings, they're a bit high if those
readings were taken at idle.

Yes it was Idle for two hours.

I would re-check that the heatsink is properly
mated to the motherboard, and making good contact with the CPU heatspreader.
In any case, a good aftermarket cooler (with artic silver 5) is a much
better cooling solution than the stock HSF.

Yup, this is exactly what I tried to do and failed

Here's the ASUS readings as I went along:

Intel cooler, old ASUS BIOS [CPU 50 idle, 60 load]
Intel cooler, new ASUS BIOS [CPU 55 idle, 65 load]
Zalman cooler, new ASUS BIOS [CPU 61 idle, 62 load]

I originally thought the problem was either the Intel cooler is no good
or the thermal contact between CPU and heatsink was flawed. I took off
the Intel cooler and the thermal compound was all squashed down BUT it
had some small holes in it, as if there wasn't enough.

I assumed this was the problem and got the Zalman cooler and the Actic
Silver 5. I took out the whole MB, reseated the CPU, cleaned everything
and let dry. Put quite a lot of Actic 5 on the CPU, bolted down the
Zalman, then used a torch to look at the connection. Everything looks
flat and some compound has squashed out the sides.


Mistake !!

You must apply a very thin layer of Arctic 5. Enough to fill any
un-eveness and no more! Seeing it squish out the sides is not a good
sign. For a CPU and heatsink both with polished-smooth surfaces and no
obvious visible indentations, 3 or 4 very small beads smoothed flat
with a finger such that the CPU header is visibly entirely covered
with a THIN gray layer of Arctic 5 should be quite sufficient. The aim
is to get the CPU header and heatsink core in as close a contact as
possible with all un-eveness voids filled and no more than that.
Compared with the heat-transfer efficiency of the heatsink slug and
the CPU header, Arctic 5 is a much poorer heat conductor.

I put everything back assuming it was all fixed now, and total
disappointment as I see the idle temp is WORSE than before!

I note the Zalman heatsink is COLD. Could it be the junction is still
flawed?


No. You possibly used far too much Arctic 5, or you have not properly
clamped down the Zalman and have insufficient pressure, or both.

What I did next was disconnect the CPU fan and power up again. This time
the heatsink became extremely hot, extremely quickly, so to me it seems
the heat transfer _is_ occurring?


Sure, but the question is: How efficiently ?

John Lewis

I'm out of ideas

--
Gerry_uk

First, too much AS5 is bad, for two reasons. First, too much will actually
inhibit efficient heat transfer from the CPU to the HSF. Second, AS5 is
conductive, so it cause problems if any seeps out onto the motherboard's
circuitry. I would remove the HSF, clean it and the CPU, and then apply a
very small amount of AS5 - about the size of a small grain of unccoker rice.
Spread it evenly across the surface of the heatspreader. I'm still inclined
to think that the whatever sensor the BIOS and Probe II are reading is
faulty. There's no way your CPU is idling anywhere near 60C. In any case,
it's the core temps that are the most important, so go by whatever CoreTemp
and TAT tell you. They should both give almost identical results, as they
both read thge digital thermal sensors on the CPU die. I would consider
RMA'ing the board, especially if you can get a replacement cross-shipped to
you.

Did your core temps improve at all, after switching to the Zalman cooler?

-phil

"Gerry_uk" wrote in message
...
Hi Phil,

Looking at those temps, I'm inclined to think that the Probe II reading
is not to be trusted.

This is the strange thing; the recent BIOS update I applied to this board
states that it's purpose is to provide more accurate temparature readings.
The old BIOS gave lower readings.

As for the CoteTemp readings, they're a bit high if those readings were
taken at idle.

Yes it was Idle for two hours.

I would re-check that the heatsink is properly mated to the motherboard,
and making good contact with the CPU heatspreader. In any case, a good
aftermarket cooler (with artic silver 5) is a much better cooling
solution than the stock HSF.

Yup, this is exactly what I tried to do and failed

Here's the ASUS readings as I went along:

Intel cooler, old ASUS BIOS [CPU 50 idle, 60 load]
Intel cooler, new ASUS BIOS [CPU 55 idle, 65 load]
Zalman cooler, new ASUS BIOS [CPU 61 idle, 62 load]

I originally thought the problem was either the Intel cooler is no good or
the thermal contact between CPU and heatsink was flawed. I took off the
Intel cooler and the thermal compound was all squashed down BUT it had
some small holes in it, as if there wasn't enough.

I assumed this was the problem and got the Zalman cooler and the Actic
Silver 5. I took out the whole MB, reseated the CPU, cleaned everything
and let dry. Put quite a lot of Actic 5 on the CPU, bolted down the
Zalman, then used a torch to look at the connection. Everything looks flat
and some compound has squashed out the sides.

I put everything back assuming it was all fixed now, and total
disappointment as I see the idle temp is WORSE than before!

I note the Zalman heatsink is COLD. Could it be the junction is still
flawed?

What I did next was disconnect the CPU fan and power up again. This time
the heatsink became extremely hot, extremely quickly, so to me it seems
the heat transfer _is_ occurring?

I'm out of ideas

--
Gerry_uk

TAT is very difficult to find. It's not even available from Intel's site.
The link provided is what you want. Just beware that it was made for earlier
pentium CPUs, and has not been updated to recognize the conroe line of CPUs.
It works fine, but detects conroes as Pentium Ms.

-phil

"Gerry_uk" wrote in message
...
Fred wrote:

Intel also provide a utility to access the core sensors and apply some
stress testing.
Available for download here
http://anonforums.com/builds/TAT.zip
HTH

Thanks Fred, I'd like to try this, but "anonforums" doesn't sound like
Intel! Do Intel have a link to it?

--
Gerry_uk