| | VK4PKT > CPU 30.05.03 01:04l 68 Lines 3239 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : F70034VK4PKT
Read: GUEST DB0FHN
Subj: Re: Athlon CPU: follow-up
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0AR<7M3TJZ<SP7MGD<VK7AX<VK4TX<VK4WIL<
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Sent: 030530/1905Z @:VK4WIE.#BNE.QLD.AUS.OC #:51702 [Brisbane] FBB7.00g
From: VK4PKT@VK4WIE.#BNE.QLD.AUS.OC
To : CPU@WW
Greetings All
Motherboard Monitor is a good little utility as Ralph has pointed out and
I use it here on every machine but we also must remember the "garbage in
garbage out rule" at this point. No matter what software you use it is
only as good as the information it receives. AMD motherboards vary widely
in how they obtain the temp of the CPU. A few of the better named brands
like ASUS, etc take the reading from a diode within the CPU core. All the
new NFORCE 2 AMD boards use the same function, others use an externally
mounted sensor of some sort (never looked too close at one) on the
motherboard under the cpu, some of thse are mounted on small flexible
"risers" others are surface mounted packages close to the motherboard. It
is not unusual to see the same chip vary 10 degrees from one motherboard
to another in reported temp. I can assure you it will not be a variation
of more than a degree or two (assuming the same cooler is used) but rather
what type of sensor.
The only sure fire method and the one used by all the hard core
overclocker/gamers (guilty lol) is a thermal sensor attached to the bottom
of the processor die in that empty area in the centre ( read "right over
all the cache packages in the centre" instead of "in that empty area" if
you have a palamino series XP). There is a specific tape which melts to a
fine film available for the job, all very easy. You may then display the
readings as you wish. There are lots of nifty little after market displays
out now by Thermaltake and other manufacturers that are quite cheap and
often incorporate other little niceties like system status displays and
variable fan speeds etc.
Facts to remember if you have an AMD XP/ Barton series CPU
1. AMD rates the core meltdown temp at around 90§ for most of the XP and
Barton series
2. Data corruption and erratic behaviour is commonly the first sign of
temperature problems and usually occurs (in cases I have personally worked
on) from about 75§
3 Most motherboards with the notable exception of many EPOX units
incorporate some sort of thermal shutdown setup in the bios. They vary in
effectiveness and are no guarantee. The ASUS "COP" system is arguably the
best right now. Whatever one you have take the time to set it up in your
BIOS even if you are not someone who pushes your machine. Fans have a
habit of not working one day ;0)
4. WHICHEVER thermal sensor and monitor pogram you use the ACTUAL temp of
your CPU CORE is between 5 and 10 degrees more than indicated
I work with endless numbers of AMD XP machines that have been turned out
cheaply with the standard cooler and thermal pad. The owners look at me a
little concerned when the machine shows as running between 60 and 65§
especially if they have come from Intel powered machines. I can only tell
them the truth, it's normal and really seems to do no harm.
Mind you the truth ALSO is that if I can't shave another 10 degrees off
that with an aftermarket CPU cooler and some fans I get a bit twitchy with
my own machines, I DO push them hard however :0)
73 - Ari, VK4PKT @ VK4WIE-1
ax25 :- vk4pkt@vk4wie.#bne.qld.aus.oc
email :- vk4pkt@optusnet.com.au
Message timed: 08:47 on 2003-May-30
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