How Hot is Too Hot?

[i_am_jim]

I participate in distributed processing.  I have a couple of questions about the processor temperature shown on EasyTune.

Question 1:
The default upper temperature limit shown for my processor is 40 degrees C.  But, distributed processing is CPU intensive and while calculations are going on I routinely see the processor temperature run 47-50 degrees.   The line changes from blue to red above 40 and, if active, the alarm sounds. 

Is it likely to harm the processor to run it at these temperatures for extended periods?

Question 2:
The temperature shown for the processor changes quickly.  Is this really a temperature measurement?  The temperature of physical objects normally changes slowly, yet when the high CPU activity stops the temperature drops below 40 almost instantly.  Is the temperature shown a measured value or estimated based on calculations?

[absic]

Hi there,

The maximum temp for your CPU is 68°C so it would seem that you are OK there.

Not sure about how the temperatures are reported but the same thing seems to happen with my X6 CPU. I use CoreTemp as an instant visual aid to assessing the CPU Temp and this does seem to go up and down very quickly as the CPU is stressed and then idle.

[i_am_jim]

Thanks

[Badbonji]

That is the actual temperature of the CPU also, not the individual cores. I prefer coretemp/realtemp as these display individual temperatures of the cores which generally get hotter from my experience.

[Dark Mantis]

Yes I agree and they are also more responsive to the temperature changes.

[i_am_jim]

After your comment I downloaded and installed CoreTemp.  The problem with the way I was doing it was a real time measurement after the processing had stopped.  CoreTemp catches the high point and it is much higher than I'd thought earlier.

When I looked up the upper temperature for my processor it gave a range -- 55° to 68°C.  Using CoreTemp I see it's pushing the upper end of this range.  Now I am beginning to get concerned.  

I don't know what I should do to better cool the processor.  My case has four fans, one pulling in the front, two pushing out the back and the power supply fan.  The inside of the case is cool enough.  I'm using the stock heatsink and fan on the processor and I don't intentionally overclock.

[i_am_jim]

==>Here are the specs for my processor

[Dark Mantis]

That's your problem if you are still using the stock cooler. They are not really up to much even without overclocking. You need to replace it with a decent third party cooler, something like the Noctua series is preferred. You will notice a huge difference in noise levels as well as temperatures.

[bytheway_r]

I'm not sure how it was with Athlon 64 x2 but, at least now, max temp is max CPU temp, not core temp. The screen you linked shows core temps, so you likely aren't exceeding your CPU's specs.

I wouldn't agree with DM that stock cooler isn't enough if you aren't overclocking. It should be perfectly fine if your case has, at least, mediocre airflow and your ambient temperature isn't especially high. That is, if the cooler is more or less clean.

[Dark Mantis]

I wouldn't agree with DM that stock cooler isn't enough if you aren't overclocking. It should be perfectly fine if your case has, at least, mediocre airflow and your ambient temperature isn't especially high. That is, if the cooler is more or less clean.

That's pretty much my point. The stock cooler will work adequately as long as all other factors are in it's favour including no dust. As we all know it might start out like that but goes downhill rapidly so unless the OP plans to clean all his fans on a weekly basis then I stand by my advice to replace it with a decent third part heatsink.

[i_am_jim]

I'm not sure how it was with Athlon 64 x2 but, at least now, max temp is max CPU temp, not core temp. The screen you linked shows core temps, so you likely aren't exceeding your CPU's specs.

Is there an app that captures maximum CPU temp? 

That is, if the cooler is more or less clean.

I had just cleaned the cooler before the data in the above screen.

[collidingstar]

The other thing is that Core temps aren't measured they are calculated.

It could be the case that these are off for other reasons..
(for instance once you unlock cores the numbers seam to be way off)


I'd say as long as the main CPU temp is staying in the safe zone you should be ok.

[i_am_jim]

I'd say as long as the main CPU temp is staying in the safe zone you should be ok.

Is there an app that monitors CPU temp and captures maximum CPU temp? 

[Dark Mantis]

Yes you can use RealTemp.

http://www.techpowerup.com/realtemp/

Sorry just realised you are using an AMD processor. I think coretemp does the same.

[i_am_jim]

I'll try that one next.  I've installed and removed three that didn't work.  This one worked but I'm confused but the results it shows. 

It shows CPU 1 & 2 but I only have one CPU.  Then it talks about CPU0 Core??  CPU 2 it running very hot and changing but I don't have one.  CPU 1 is running very cool and doesn't change based on load.  All in all I'm baffled by the results and the difference between it and CoreTemp.