[Wolygon]

Hello,

First my main components:
Intel E7400 @3.3GHz (1.232 vCore)
DFI LP X48-LT
Zalman CNPS10X QUIET
No fan on northbridge

I built this PC around 2 years ago so its starting to age, though its still good enough for me. My CPU temps are stuck at 43'C and I think it had this from the factory though I'm a little hazy so it might have got stuck a few months after.

It would appear that when my CPU breaches the 43'C that it starts to read though I am unsure if this is accurate. The temps in HWMonitor with ambient at around 20'C (educated guess) are as follows:

Idle:

Code:

THRM: 38'C
TMPIN0: 38'C
TMPIN1: 51'C
TMPIN2: 57'C
Core #0: 43'C
Core #1: 43'C

Load (Prime95):

Code:

THRM: 63'C
TMPIN0: 63'C
TMPIN1: 52'C
TMPIN2: 62'C
Core #0: 50'C
Core #1: 48'C

Back in the day when I was learning OCing I treated the THRM/TMPIN0 values as the CPU (#0 & #1). I did this because the temp monitoring software which came with the board (DFI Smart Guardian) shows the following:

Code:

CPU: THRM and TMPIN0
System: TMPIN1
Chipset: TMPIN2

Using this knowledge I was able to OC to 4GHz with a 400MHz FSB while keeping THRM/TMPIN0 at 60'C on load (I'm pretty sure this is true). The Core #0/1 stayed at around 50-55'C using a CNPS9500.

Now I usually like to keep my CPU below 60'C and I hear that the X48 should not go above 60'C. Because of my cooler I find it hard to believe that I am running 63'C temps (as THRM/TMPIN0 and Smart Guardian suggest).

I performed the HSF installation on the bench, out of the case and I believe I had no trouble. No partial lift ups or anything and I have done this same cooler install once before and that one was fine. I used IC diamond with a little blob in the centre which I have done probably 5 times before with good results. So I don't believe that I incorrectly installed the cooler but if you think I did then I guess I will reseat it. Its just so much work since theres no way I would attempt it in the case.

Note my case has terrible airflow at the moment since I am using a temporary case. It has 120mm PSU exhaust, 120mm side exhaust (I find exhaust works best), 120mm front. Also the only way for the HSF to fit is vertically blowing down. This is just below the PSU fan (top mount) and thus it is fighting with it. Also the cables are terrible, so as I said the airflow is terrible

.

There is a multitude of 60+ temps (THRM, TMPIN0, TMPIN2) which surely must be atleast two components. Note that the TMPIN2 takes a while to increase from 50'C to 60'C (around 1 minute).

TMPIN2:
If I am correct the fact that TMPIN2 increases slowly is because it is not transferring heat to its "Heatsink" well. Or that the heatsink does not have enough airflow to cool itself.

Also I can only just keep my finger on the HS at idle which I think represents 50'C pretty well...

Both these problems are possible for the northbridge as it does not have a fan and I think that the TIM (I redid it just recently since it fell off while in a suitcase on a plane

) poorly. I used AS5 and only put a blob in the middle which I kind of realised is bad for low pressure mounts once I did my HD4850. So I think this is the problem with TMPIN2, assuming it is the NB is that the TIM is stuffed.

The reason why I'm not happy just to change it is because I have to take the motherboard out of the case which will take a while (bad cable management, CF, awkward fit).

So I guess the purpose of this thread (it doesn't seem too obvious like it did in my head

) is to find what you think I should do with the CPU since I would like to do it while I'm doing the NB. Do you think the CPU temp is represented by the THRM/TMPIN0 (too high) or the Core #1 & #2 (good) with explanation please

.

Also do you think that a Sythe 3500RMP 40mm (4.8CFM) fan for $10 is helpful and not just a waste of $10. Also is it possible that the NB TIM is fine and that the bad airflow is causing it (40mm fan required).

Sorry for it being so long, I guess I just wanted to rant since I have been wanting to post about this for atleast a year.

Hope you can help, thanks.

Ironically I probably could of reseated the CPU and NB heatsinks and worked to make $10 to buy a fan in the time it took me to write this.

 

[GerroffMe]

Quote:

Also do you think that a Sythe 3500RMP 40mm (4.8CFM) fan for $10 is helpful and not just a waste of $10. Also is it possible that the NB TIM is fine and that the bad airflow is causing it (40mm fan required).

I don't think that will make much different with bad airflow in the case as it may provide better cooling on the heatsinks but if the case is not able to exhaust that heat easily due to bad airflow then you are still going to have the same problem.

Quote:

should do with the CPU since I would like to do it while I'm doing the NB. Do you think the CPU temp is represented by the THRM/TMPIN0 (too high) or the Core #1 & #2 (good) with explanation please

Core 1 and Core 2 are actual die temperatures measured within the chip by the built in temperature sensor. I believe (but I could be corrected) that TMPIN0 is socket temperature of the CPU meaning that it is taken from next to the processor rather than inside it. TMPIN0 is a sensor built into the mobo instead of the processor.

I would:
- reseat your cooler with new thermal paste
- sort out your cables and airflow
- remove dust using a high power air duster + vacuum
- if your case has a vent on the other side of the PSU then flip it over so it sucks in fresh air from outside the case and exhaust hot air out of the case as well.

As for NB temperatures, better airflow will alleviate this a lot.

 

[Wolygon]

Ok thanks for the reply.

I was wondering, if TMPIN0 is what you say then why does it have such a different temp to Core #1/2? Does this indicate that the Core #1/2 is inaccurate or is there another explanation?

You seem to point out that the airflow is the problem, I am unsure on this topic as this is really the only high power PC I have dealt with. The first time I appreciated airflow was when I added the 120mm to the side a few weeks ago and saw a 10'C+ drop in my GPUs. I guess that the fact I'm running 2 100W+ cards which don't have external case exhausts means I need good airflow.

Because of the limited room and cable management of this case I would rather not try to fix the airflow problem. I will hopefully be getting my normal case back in the next few weeks and thus was thinking of just running the components out of the case. If I do this then I'll be able to check the temps and see if I need to reseat anything.

As long as theres no objection to this plan I will probably do it soon and post new temps if its interesting.

Thanks again.

 

[GerroffMe]

TMPIN0 is likely to be a few degrees cooler than die temperatures. If it is radically different such as 200c or -185 or something like that then it is incorrect, but I suspect it is reporting correctly. Core temperature is unlikely to be incorrect.

I would be very reluctant to run it all out of the case as you are risking damage to your components not to mention electrocution. You could try running the computer just with the side off.

 

[Wolygon]

Hey, although I disagree with you on the running out of the case. I didn't have time and I now have everything fitted into my improved old case.

Anyway temps are amazing:

Idle:

new:
Quote:

THRM: 29'C
TMPIN0: 29'C
TMPIN1: 37'C
TMPIN2: 36'C
Core #0: 43'C
Core #1: 43'C

old:
Quote:

THRM: 38'C
TMPIN0: 38'C
TMPIN1: 51'C
TMPIN2: 57'C
Core #0: 43'C
Core #1: 43'C

Load:

new:
Quote:

THRM: 44'C
TMPIN0: 44'C
TMPIN1: 38'C
TMPIN2: 36'C
Core #0: 43'C
Core #1: 43'C

old:
Quote:

THRM: 63'C
TMPIN0: 63'C
TMPIN1: 52'C
TMPIN2: 62'C
Core #0: 50'C
Core #1: 48'C

So I really learned that from this airflow and cable management mean a lot.

Thanks for the help, I'm happy now