MORE problems now! C2D E6420

[thommo41]

OK, some may remember my series of posts recently about AMD x2 or Core2Duo system?

A quick brief - I had a A64 3800+ and had the option of going C2D (MORE MONEY - board/chip/RAM) or a better AMD chip (cheaper, existing RAM/board).

I bought a A64 x2 5600+ and I ran it for just over a week. My complaint with it was excessive heat and CPU fan noise (fan speed 3000+ all the time). It was a pretty quick chip though, just a bit warm and as a result, noisey.

This week I was offered a "swap" - an ASUS P5W64 WS Professional motherboard (OTT? anyone?) for my existing kit (ASUS board/3800+ chip/1GB RAM).
Feeling the need to make the jump, and wanting to spend birthday money (again!) I made the switch.

I bought some "Patriot" (aria) RAM - 2 x 1GB PC6400 800MHz. I bought the chip - Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 Retail.

Anyway, so now I have an A64 x2 5600+ chip to sell on (anyone want it? PM me!) but have these new bits.

I built the system up last night, got it running. I am pretty suprised it runs at around 40DegC on idle??? The fan speed is lower though, so it isn't noisey. I've not run the processor hard yet, so I wont be able to tell you if it runs up to 55ish like the Athlon did.

BUT - the main problem (or is it a feature?) is the Vcore voltage. In the Asus Probe tool, it keeps on moving around? Alot? Regularly? It is going from around 1.33 (I think it was this?) and dropping itslef to 1.1 ish, then moving around in between. PLEASE NOTE, this is from memory. If the Vcore is wrong, that's my 27 yr old memory at fault!

So, any ideas? Is it a problem to see the Vcore bounce about? And the CPU temps is more of a bad suprise than a problem, its std. retail kit cooling, but I expected a definate lower avg running temp from the C2D, expecially at std. clock.

TIA
Alan

P.S. Sorry for the massive post

[Platinum]

Whats the ventalation in your case like, the temps you give dont seem to excessive for a stock cooled CPU?

[thommo41]

Case has an "exhaust" exit fan at the back, and it is pretty roomy. But the case has no panels on it either!

It is more the Vcore voltage issue that concerns me right now though?

[staffsMike]

What are you measuring your Temps with?

Try downloading TAT if you aren't using it (can be found on cluncks overclocking guide in the stickies).

40 sounds a little high to be. I'd have expected more like 30 on stock cooling..and 25 on something like an arctic freezer.

When cpu-z reads my vcore is does the same thing but nomally 0.5 +/- not sure why...it also reads my multiplier as 6 when its 9 so who knows lol

[excalibur2]

Well I will let the experts answer the main points, but some observations................ why bother with a stock cooler when the Arctic pro is sooooo cheap. Also running the CPU hard at 55c is no problem.....over 65c onwards and it starts getting more lethal.

I'm settling for about 56c (safety factor in case of a heatwave) with Orthos running for hours...with arctic pro cooler and E4300 at 2.83 ghz

[Splash]

Do you have the Asus AISuite installed? If so it has a "feature" to automatically over/underclock the CPU as required, which would explain what you are seeing.

[will101]

My complaint with it was excessive heat and CPU fan noise (fan speed 3000+ all the time). It was a pretty quick chip though, just a bit warm and as a result, noisey.

What CPU cooler are you using? The noise level is only tied to cpu temp if you have Q Fan enabled for the CPU fan header. If yr fan runs at 3000rpm+ it's going to be noisy anyway.

I have an X2 5600+ and my Freezer pro64 90mm fan runs at 2400rpm and is just a subtle humm. I get idle temps of around 38-43 degC in an ambient room temp of 20-25 using an Akasa Mirage-62 case renowned for it's air cooling performance. 40 at idle with an average case doesn't sound excessive tbh.

When cpu-z reads my vcore is does the same thing but nomally 0.5 +/- not sure why...it also reads my multiplier as 6 when its 9 so who knows lol

staffsMike - sounds like you Intel's underclocking/undervolting utility running. You should be able to disable it in the BIOS as I did with AI nos and Cool n quiet to make sure it's not interfering with system settings.

[staffsMike]

No it's not which is why I find it strange.

[will101]

In that case it is indeed strange!

[Sprite]

Wont it be Intel SpeedStep... ?

It basically adjusts VCore and speed to reduce heat etc whilst the CPU isn't in use. Disable any Enhanced EIST related stuff in your motherbords BIOS if you want to turn it off.

[Clunk]

Yes, it is speedstep, which is why staffsmikes temps are lower, the chip is undervolted and running at 6x ***fsb.

[thommo41]

So, it sounds like (in summary) the Vcore fluctuation is normal because of a "feature". It doesn't need disabling then, right?

The motherboard - ASUS P5W64 WS Professional - has anyone got one, anyone want to tell me there settings? The BIOS settings on it are a nightmare!

"Arctic pro" is soooo cheap is it? Where from, and is it really necessary?

Cheers
A

[staffsMike]

No like I said before Step speed is disabled..and temps are always measured at 3.4.. some people..

if just occasionally goes to 6x for a second or two..idle or not..

[Clunk]

Well, it shouldnt drop to 6x for no reason...some people

[staffsMike]

lol my temps aren't low anyway..38 idle 50 under orthos..thats about normal.

[Clunk]

StaffsMike,

if you have these, try disabling them all, and see if it still drops.

CPU internal thermal control

Limit CPUID max value

Enhanced C1 (C1E)