What is the most accurate way to measure my CPU temp?

[Kitten of the Broccoli]

I tried to overclock my Pentium G3258 the other day with the stock cooler. I used the same method Linus used in this video, except I have a Z97-A, not a Z97-C(12:02):

 

I did exactly what he did, then booted my computer, started a stress test, and checked my temperatures. The two programs I used were Realtemp and ASUS AI Suite. Immediately it looked like there was something wrong: Realtemp was saying that my CPU temperature was reaching into the 70s, but AI Suite was saying I was well into the mid-40s. Which of these should I trust? I would really like to know because I was going to use ASUS 5-Way Optimization when I got my Hyper 212, and have it set so that when it got to a certain temperature, it would stop. But now that I'm getting two DRASTICALLY different temperature readings, I don't know if I'm going to use it.

[ApolloX75]

I did exactly what he did, then booted my computer, started a stress test, and checked my temperatures. The two programs I used were Realtemp and ASUS AI Suite. Immediately it looked like there was something wrong: Realtemp was saying that my CPU temperature was reaching into the 70s, but AI Suite was saying I was well into the mid-40s. Which of these should I trust? I would really like to know because I was going to use ASUS 5-Way Optimization when I got my Hyper 212, and have it set so that when it got to a certain temperature, it would stop. But now that I'm getting two DRASTICALLY different temperature readings, I don't know if I'm going to use it.

Try a different program. HWinfo64 or HWMonitor are both excellent choices and show you a huge amount of data.

[Dr_Nooberious]

I had the same problem with realtemp.

 

I had to use 3 different programs to get a proper reading.

 

I would trust Asus's own software on their motherboard over a 3rd party software.

 

Hope this helps.

[Kitten of the Broccoli]

I had the same problem with realtemp.

 

I had to use 3 different programs to get a proper reading.

 

I would trust Asus's own software on their motherboard over a 3rd party software.

 

Hope this helps.

OK, I took ApolloX75'ss advice, and used different temperature monitors at the same time. I used Realtemp, HWinfo64, and AI Suite. Realtemp and HWinfo64 were both about the same, but AI Suite was showing temperatures that were about 10 degrees cooler on average. So... I guess I'll have to use different parameters when setting up the 5-Way Optimization. Thanks for your help.

[Samfisher]

OK, I took ApolloX75'ss advice, and used different temperature monitors at the same time. I used Realtemp, HWinfo64, and AI Suite. Realtemp and HWinfo64 were both about the same, but AI Suite was showing temperatures that were about 10 degrees cooler on average. So... I guess I'll have to use different parameters when setting up the 5-Way Optimization. Thanks for your help.

AI Suite temps are NEVER accurate.  Only reason why it's even installed for me is the built in fan curve feature.

[GoldSrc]

Have you tried Aida64?

[Kitten of the Broccoli]

Have you tried Aida64?

Well, I tried it today, but for different reasons. I was cleaning the dust out of my computer today, and messed up my RAM somehow, so after I fixed it, I installed and ran Aida64 to stress test the RAM.

[ApolloX75]

OK, I took ApolloX75'ss advice, and used different temperature monitors at the same time. I used Realtemp, HWinfo64, and AI Suite. Realtemp and HWinfo64 were both about the same, but AI Suite was showing temperatures that were about 10 degrees cooler on average. So... I guess I'll have to use different parameters when setting up the 5-Way Optimization. Thanks for your help.

AI suite drives me up the wall. It messes with all sorts of things without your input. I find its temperature accuracy is suspect and depends on the board.

[Kitten of the Broccoli]

Now, one more question:

When I did Linus's method of overclocking the Pentium, I opened AI Suite, and my voltage was constantly at about 1.2 volts(it was a couple millivolts higher). Aside from any temperature concerns, is this a problem? Is there a way to set it so it's not constant? I didn't want to linger in my BIOS for too long(I'm afraid I might accidentally click on something and completely fuck up my computer), and I didn't see any options to do so.

[tbroadwater2010]

Now, one more question:

When I did Linus's method of overclocking the Pentium, I opened AI Suite, and my voltage was constantly at about 1.2 volts(it was a couple millivolts higher). Aside from any temperature concerns, is this a problem? Is there a way to set it so it's not constant? I didn't want to linger in my BIOS for too long(I'm afraid I might accidentally click on something and completely fuck up my computer), and I didn't see any options to do so.

I would say if your learning to OC something, or attempting to anyway, you need to get comfortable in front of your bios screen or jusy simply use the software. Unfortunately it does open you up to something getting messed up, but thats nothing a good BIOS RESET cant fix!. So my suggestion, get comfortable in that BIOS

[Dr_Nooberious]

I would say if your learning to OC something, or attempting to anyway, you need to get comfortable in front of your bios screen or jusy simply use the software. Unfortunately it does open you up to something getting messed up, but thats nothing a good BIOS RESET cant fix!. So my suggestion, get comfortable in that BIOS

 

Agreed. Using the BIOS is more effective at trying to overclock your CPU than software, because software can be wrong st some points.