What is Tj.max?

TjMax is a pre-programmed shut-down point within the processor.

Your processor's core(s) hit that temperature, and it throttles itself, or will shut-down.

This is a very generic number, it is NOT exact, it is a very jagged line to be crossed to implement a shut-down.

It based on a signal that comes from your core's DTS sensor, and the DTS sensor is simply a scale. I believe, it is a whole integer based scale.

Think of it as a trip-point.

Edit: Tj max: e4300 --> Stepping b2: 80C, Stepping G0: 90C

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Don't worry about it. Real Temp is about as good as your motherboard software. The only thing they remotely even help for, is to give you SOME idea, of how far you are from your processor throttling or shutting down, i.e. Tjmax. That is it. It is impossible for them to give temp readings, when the DTS sensors don't output temps, plus, DTS sensor, have an error rate, which is multiplied by software.

You can reach the TJMax without any problems Uncle webb (creator of RealTemp) proved it over in the RealTemp thread on XS forums. He took off his aftermarket heatsink and he sat there and let his processor hit 98/99 and took screens as it throttled, it was reducing the multi and core voltage then starting back up until it hit 98-99, then throttling again. So he proved that if your fans/water pump ever went dead and your processor got that hot, that it would keep itself from overheating.

And he was also running P95 to get those temps. He ran for three hours like that. So he also concluded that if the CPU could still run at 100% load, stable, at those temps for three hours that Intel must have designed there CPU's to be able to preform at very high temps.

He also concluded after that, that basically, if you were within the voltage limits of your processor and it was stable in stress testing that it didn't matter what your load temps were; (although he did say he didn't like to see his distance to TJMax go below 30)

That's what I go by. Also Intel has even said that there DTS sensors are not calibrated for idle. They are calibrated at the TJMax so they are more accurate the closer you get to the TJMax.

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This kinda makes me think that it is to easy to burn it up, if they are that inaccurate. I seem to be having trouble with realtemp. What do you guys think about coretemp instead?

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No, that is the thing. The processors WILL either throttle or shut down. The DTS sensors are accurate as far as throttling or shutting down, you can put some faith in that. The throttling and shutting down set-point will be around 80-100C depending on the processor and the stepping. Intel could care less what the actual temperature is, as long as it doesn't hit their set-point (Tjmax).

The DTS sensors are diodes, and the ones Intel are using are most accurate around this set-point. Everywhere else, and especially under 50C, they are inaccurate to the point where they are almost useless. Even Intel states that the only real useful application for these diodes is: Fan control set-point, and most important: throttling and shut-down.

Core Temp operates on the same principle that Real Temp does, for the most part.

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Yes, actually, under 50 to 55C they are very inaccurate, coupled with the DTS Slope error.

TJmax is the max rated safe temperature of the thermal junction (where the die meets the underside of the heatspreader).

Intel's DTS does not, and cannot, measure absolute temperature. It reads the distance from the tjmax, and is calibrated right at the tjmax, so it's accuracy decreases the further you get from it.

The absolute temperature of the tjmax is almost meaningless. How close you are to it is what counts.

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A CPU will consume several times as much power under load as it does idle.

My CPU temps jump more than 35C between idle and max load. This is not abnormal.

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Yes, depending on ambient it could be anywhere between 20C and 30C.

Intel burn test, add another 10C to the max.

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I wouldn't back down, yet. Try resetting your heat sink, or reapplying the thermal paste, maybe that will help.

Prime 95 temps, are just that, they are Prime 95 temps. They will give you a good indication of what your max temps are under load.

You can try Intel burn test if you really want to warm it up. Mine were roughly 10C higher using that program, however, there is no applicable point in doing so. IMO, Prime and Orthos are good enough.

So, no, you don't have to back off yet with that 4300 due to temps, I believe you should be able to get it stable at 3.4G, somehow. Maybe higher?

I am trying to get mine to 3.4G, in my case the temps aren't a problem, the stability is.

Here is one thing that never fails to work for me. I do this every time I get a new board or HSF or processor. Try spreading the paste, use the same amount approximately (1 or 2 rice grains in size) but spread it evenly over the processor with a credit card. See what your temps look like then?

Check your temps with the motherboard monitor too.

BTW, what is your ambient temperature?