How to read Speedfan temps

[biggles]

Just got a new quad core i7 920 PC yesterday and I am confused on how to read the temps using Speedfan. These are temps in asus quiet mode, so I guess fans are low or off. No overclocking.
system 51c
cpu 45c
aux 5c
hd0 35c
core0 26c
core1 26c
core2 22c
core3 22c
core4 25c

Is the system temp the motherboard temp? What is the aux temp? What is the difference between cpu and core0, core1, core2, etc temps? How come 5 cores are listed if the cpu only has 4 cores? Which temps are most important to keep an eye on?

When threads here say "my cpu idles at xx degrees", are they referring to the cpu item or one of the core items above?

Thanks!

 

[BillParrish]

Core 4 ??? 0-3 are typically the 4 cores of your cpu. Core 4 could be your gpu in the graphics card, maybe. Typo ?

Lets assume no typo. cores 0-3 are the internal temps of the cpu cores read from the digital temp sensor system embedded in the cpu. These are the temps we typcally report. download realtemp and compare, they should agree within 1 deg C. Also if you run something like prime95 stress test you will see the 4 (0-3) core temps almost instantly jump up to full load temps. core 4 likely will not change much if it is the gpu. Then fire up something with 3d graphics like a game and then cpu4 will jump up very quickly.

cpu is typically a sensor near the cpu but mounted on the board.
system is typically a sensor near one of the pci slots and is a general board temp indicator.
(you need to contact your manuf and ask where the above two sensors actually are on the board but in general they are useful for mainly long term trends. For example if your system temp is much higher 6 months from now, its time to clean out the dust and clean your fans.)

aux is likely not connected to anything.
HD is your HD typically - most newer drives will report their temp.

You can rename these as you see fit. In particular I would do the tests I mention above and if the core4 is the gpu - rename it as such.

 

[biggles]

I looked more carefully at speedfan, it actually lists core 0, core 1, core 2, etc up through core 7. I wonder if it tracks 2 temps per core due to hyperthreading?

Also, I did some reading and apparently I lucked out and got a D0 stepping 920 cpu. But frankly I am surprised by the low idle temps. And I haven't seen the temps rise above 35c under load. This is with a Coolermaster V8 heatsink and arctic silver 5, but still it surprised me.

So, I guess overclocking would be a cinch with this setup. Although, I do not think any of the stuff I do with the PC would benefit from an overclock since gaming is the only demanding thing I do. I do not think GRID, Oblivion, or Fallout 3 would benefit from an overclock beyond the stock 2.66 ghz, do you? I'm already getting mostly 60 fps at 1680x1050 with plenty of aa and af turned on.

 

[sirmonkey1985]

i recommend using realtemp for your cpu temps.. its far more accurate for intel processors and is correctly set to the TJmax for the i7 920..

most likely your bios sensor names are set incorrectly.. system temp should be your motherboard temp but its actually your northbridge temp.. your aux temps probably just an unused sensor that the motherboard still has in the bios.. also the reason you see 5 core temps is because the list is to long.. you need to go to the configuration tab and it will show every temp sensor its reading.. most likely the other 3 core temps are in there.. along with your gfx card temps..

 

[Zero82z]

I looked more carefully at speedfan, it actually lists core 0, core 1, core 2, etc up through core 7. I wonder if it tracks 2 temps per core due to hyperthreading?

It would appear that it is counting each logical core. In that case, it should be reporting the same temperature for each pair of cores.

Also, I did some reading and apparently I lucked out and got a D0 stepping 920 cpu. But frankly I am surprised by the low idle temps. And I haven't seen the temps rise above 35c under load. This is with a Coolermaster V8 heatsink and arctic silver 5, but still it surprised me.

Load temps are completely meaningless with Intel CPUs due to the inaccuracy of the temperature sensors. I suggest that you ignore your idle temperatures and consider only load temps (and even then, only temperatures above 50C or so are really anywhere near accurate).

So, I guess overclocking would be a cinch with this setup. Although, I do not think any of the stuff I do with the PC would benefit from an overclock since gaming is the only demanding thing I do. I do not think GRID, Oblivion, or Fallout 3 would benefit from an overclock beyond the stock 2.66 ghz, do you? I'm already getting mostly 60 fps at 1680x1050 with plenty of aa and af turned on.

Well, you never know. I would say give it a shot and see what you end up with .