odd temperatures

[matty-hodgson]

i am using core-temp to measure the temperatures of my CPU, and it is giving me an accurate reading i reckon, but it is saying that core 0 and 1 are running 5 - 10'C hotter than core 2 and 3, could this have anything to do with me rubbing a small amount of the thermal grease off the CPU to check i'd got the G0 stepping CPU?
if so.. what is a good thermal grease to use and where can i purchase it and for how much?

thankyou for your help

[Fraz]

i am using core-temp to measure the temperatures of my CPU, and it is giving me an accurate reading i reckon, but it is saying that core 0 and 1 are running 5 - 10'C hotter than core 2 and 3, could this have anything to do with me rubbing a small amount of the thermal grease off the CPU to check i'd got the G0 stepping CPU?
if so.. what is a good thermal grease to use and where can i purchase it and for how much?

thankyou for your help

Hard to say - I'd imagine the grease would have re-distributed itself when you put the heat-sink back on. There is normally a bit of variation, depending on what is running on each core at a given time, and the variations due to the heat-spreader that intel put over the two Core2Duos that make up your quad. Apparently lapping the top of the chip can help, as this makes it flatter and gets a more even thermal contact with your heatsink.

FYI, my Q6600 (currently at 100% load on each core) has the core readings of 55, 50, 55, 48 degrees C, so I'm getting quite a variation too.

If you want good thermal grease, then Arctic Silver 5 is one of the best, although is quite expensive at about £5 a small tube. Many e-tailers sell it.

Also - for future reference - you can check things like CPU steppings without physically looking at the CPU; there are probably many bits of software that can do this, but CPU-Z is the first one that springs to mine.

[hermeticist]

As Fraz says AS5 is popular, I think I used Ceramique last time, the link below has some products:

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

I`d be interested to know what the current best product is.

[matty-hodgson]

FYI, my Q6600 (currently at 100% load on each core) has the core readings of 55, 50, 55, 48 degrees C, so I'm getting quite a variation too.

what heatsink and fan are you using considering you're running it at 3GHz
mine sits at that at idle.. with about those temps. i've just checked my CPU and the grease hasn't re-distributed over that patch.. i did take quite a large amount off.

i think my dad is getting me some thermal paste from Pc World on his way home from work, with it only being round the corner from where he works and hopefully that will work better.

thanks for the help.

[Fraz]

My heat-sink + fan is a Thermalright BigTyp VX120, with the fan set to go at ~1000 RPM, which keeps it pretty cool and is essentially silent.

[DratUK]

I presume you are using the cooler that came with the cpu. CPU temps are affected by many external influences: Air flow being the primary, ambient air temps. Badly routed cables which reduce the efficiency of the air flow doesnt help so have a look at the cables and route them to provide a clear air passage.
"some awful cheap case" that you have isnt helping I would imagine.

AS 5 as mentioned or MX 1/2 are good. I favour MX 1 or 2 as it is Non-Electrical Conductive.
Arctic Cooling

When you can afford it a low cost but effective cooler is Arctic Coolings Freezer pro 7
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
This has the MX paste pre-applied so no additional cost in buying a thermal compound. Cost is £15.26 from Scan.
With a bit of luck depending on whether you have a "sweet cpu" and some good airflow then you will see a reduction in temps.
Remember that PSU for your birthday as well before you start over clocking.
Clunks
Guide to overclocking is a great start.

[Fraz]

AS 5 as mentioned or MX 1/2 are good. I favour MX 1 or 2 as it is Non-Electrical Conductive.
Arctic Cooling

Arctic Silver 5 doesn't conduct electricity either...

[matty-hodgson]

i'm still waiting for my dad to get home from work, finishes at 5pm, now 9:37pm.. and he lives 30 minutes away during rush hour..
i think he's got me some Arctic Silver..
does this Acrtic Silver have actual silver in it? is that why it's a good thermal conductor?

for the minute i've set the multiplier at x6 so i'm running @ 1.6GHz to try and keep it cool until i get some better thermal paste.

do i just scrape the stuff off and put a little bit of the new stuff on?
how much do i need to use?
what could i put my CPU on while i clean off the paste? and apply the new paste..

[DratUK]

Arctic Silver 5 doesn't conduct electricity either...

Didnt say it was but maybe I implied it. However it does have a capacitive capability
"Arctic Silver 5 was formulated to conduct heat, not electricity.
(While much safer than electrically conductive silver and copper greases, Arctic Silver 5 should be kept away from electrical traces, pins, and leads. While it is not electrically conductive, the compound is very slightly capacitive and could potentially cause problems if it bridges two close-proximity electrical paths.)"

MX doesent.

[DratUK]

i'm still waiting for my dad to get home from work, finishes at 5pm, now 9:37pm.. and he lives 30 minutes away during rush hour..
i think he's got me some Arctic Silver..
does this Acrtic Silver have actual silver in it? is that why it's a good thermal conductor?

for the minute i've set the multiplier at x6 so i'm running @ 1.6GHz to try and keep it cool until i get some better thermal paste.

do i just scrape the stuff off and put a little bit of the new stuff on?
how much do i need to use?
what could i put my CPU on while i clean off the paste? and apply the new paste..

LOL take your time.

Arctic Silver Incorporated - Arctic Silver 5
Have a read through.
70% isopropyl alchohol dont use your dads vodka.
There are some propietary cleaners around such as TIM-Clean from Askasa, which I use.

Rest the cpu pin side up on some cardboard or anything non conductive.
When you repalce avoid touching the surface of the cooler base or the cpu as your fingers have oils which will reduce the conductivity.
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

I would also run your pc for a while prior to removing the cooler makes it easier to seperate the cooler from the cpu.
I am sure there will be some more advice along shortly.
Good Luck

[Fraz]

does this Acrtic Silver have actual silver in it? is that why it's a good thermal conductor?

Yup - 99.9% silver, in fact. No idea how it doesn't conduct electricity...

do i just scrape the stuff off and put a little bit of the new stuff on?

Nooooooooooooo! Please don't start off another incredibly boring multi-page thread on the best way to remove thermal compound! In short, don't use anything oily (WD40, white spirit, etc). I use Isopropyl Alcohol, which you can get from Maplin. Some people use nail varnish remover... not sure about that though, as I don't know what else it has got in it other than acetone (which is a bit too strong a solvent, really...). Frankly, you'll probably do just fine wiping the spare old stuff off with a bit of tissue I really wouldn't worry about it too much...

how much do i need to use?

Read this PDF

what could i put my CPU on while i clean off the paste? and apply the new paste..

I normally put it upside down (so as not to bend the pins) on the side of chassis you remove to gain access to the components. Basically, just don't put it on anything made of synthetic fibres (polyester, etc), or anything that easily retains a static charge. Make sure you've touched something earthed before taking your CPU out though (chassis, if still plugged in, but switched off, etc), and prob best to not be wearing synthetic fibre clothing.

[DratUK]

I normally put it upside down (so as not to bend the pins) on the side of chassis you remove to gain access to the components. Basically, just don't put it on anything made of synthetic fibres (polyester, etc), or anything that easily retains a static charge. Make sure you've touched something earthed before taking your CPU out though (chassis, if still plugged in, but switched off, etc), and prob best to not be wearing synthetic fibre clothing.

Good advice

[matty-hodgson]

what do i use the alcohol for? doesn't sound like a good mix.. very delicate £170 CPU and a flammable LIQUID..

do i just use a tiny bit on a rag and rub the contact areas? is that what you mean?

i have been running my PC for quite long periods of time, downloading things and i haven't replaced the thermal paste since i installed the fan on the 23rd of december..
this computer was my xmas present you see.. i put some money towards it though.

what sort of temperatures do you get from your CPU and what CPU do you have?

i'm sorry if it seems i ask a lot of questions in 1 go, i just like to get them all there so you don't have to reply as often

thanks for the help btw.. really appreciate it.
i get quite worried about my PC you see.. with it being brand new and it being the first PC that is actually good that i've ever had

what program can you recommend for accurate readings of my CPU?
atm i'm using Core Temp 0.96.1

[matty-hodgson]

i think i'll just use a bit of tissue and get it off.. should work just fine. he's still not bloody home!! :S

you see.. the LGA775 CPUs don't have pins, so it isn't going to bend the pins, the pins are in the socket if you get me..

right now my temps are 49, 48, 42, 41

[DratUK]

what do i use the alcohol for? doesn't sound like a good mix.. very delicate £170 CPU and a flammable LIQUID..

do i just use a tiny bit on a rag and rub the contact areas? is that what you mean?

i have been running my PC for quite long periods of time, downloading things and i haven't replaced the thermal paste since i installed the fan on the 23rd of december..
this computer was my xmas present you see.. i put some money towards it though.

what sort of temperatures do you get from your CPU and what CPU do you have?

i'm sorry if it seems i ask a lot of questions in 1 go, i just like to get them all there so you don't have to reply as often

thanks for the help btw.. really appreciate it.
i get quite worried about my PC you see.. with it being brand new and it being the first PC that is actually good that i've ever had

what program can you recommend for accurate readings of my CPU?
atm i'm using Core Temp 0.96.1

I'll let Fraz answer this one, my typing fingers getting tired

LOL you ask as many questions as you want matty, its the only way to learn.

You are cleaning the Intergrated Heat Shield ie the silver bit. Allow the alchohol to dry, if you have allowed the goop to warm up by running your pc first its pretty soft stuff so as Fraz has said most of it can be wiped clean with a tissue.

In answer to you question about the typ of cooler I use a Tuiniq Tower 120 on my Q6600 at 3.2Ghz. Temps reside at around an average of 35 to 38 deg depending on ambient temps and a load temp of around 48 to 50 deg. TBH I havenmt bothered looking for a while as I dont get any crashes etc and I am not bothered about OC'ing ant further I dont get any real life mesurable gain in doing so.
Fraz over to you m8.

[Fraz]

what do i use the alcohol for? doesn't sound like a good mix.. very delicate £170 CPU and a flammable LIQUID..

do i just use a tiny bit on a rag and rub the contact areas? is that what you mean?

Pretty much. I use a clean cotton rag, or kitchen towel.

i have been running my PC for quite long periods of time, downloading things and i haven't replaced the thermal paste since i installed the fan on the 23rd of december..
this computer was my xmas present you see.. i put some money towards it though.

Well, you don't really need to change thermal paste once you've got your heatsink installed.

what sort of temperatures do you get from your CPU and what CPU do you have?

I think I've already told you mine - that was for a Q6600 G0 at 3 GHz. My CPU is always at 100% load, as I have Grid jobs permanently running in the background on it, so those temps are for fully loaded. Doing a stress test with something a little less real-world, like Prime95's torture test on all 4 cores, produces slightly higher temps, but it isn't a very real-world test, as the code is deliberately designed to avoid stalling the cores with things like cache misses, etc. I've never seen my CPU get as hot as when it ran with Prime95, but even then it was only a few degrees more than posted above.

i'm sorry if it seems i ask a lot of questions in 1 go, i just like to get them all there so you don't have to reply as often

Fair enough

thanks for the help btw.. really appreciate it.

No problem.

i get quite worried about my PC you see.. with it being brand new and it being the first PC that is actually good that i've ever had

It'll be fine - a Q6600 can get a LOT hotter than you're posting.

what program can you recommend for accurate readings of my CPU?
atm i'm using Core Temp 0.96.1

Yup - good choice.