Is my CPU really 91C?

[chingyg]

I'm playing Resident Evil 6 with max settings. So here's what HW Monitor is showing



Here's AI Suite II from Asus


I'm running a AMD A10-6800K @ stock clock
I have a Zalman CNPS 10x Optima.

91 degrees just sounds ridiculous @ stock clock. I just wanted a confirmation from you guys. Is HW Monitor just giving me false readings? Thanks!

[coen113]

it might be true, you can try to undervolt, or remount the cpu cooler, to reduce temps

[Spongy141]

Simple answer, No.

[seiny]

Have you experienced system crashes or instability issues? - I would recommend re-seating the CPU cooler, but you gotta be sure first.

[SpyRosL]

Um,i find that hard to believe since the max temp of this chip is 74C and i think that if it reached 91C it would insta-shut down to prevent itself for any further damage.

[Speedbird]

I have a similar problem with my laptop. According to Speccy, it's running at 96C while the system runs normally and the fans are quiet.

[chingyg]

Have you experienced system crashes or instability issues? - I would recommend re-seating the CPU cooler, but you gotta be sure first.

My system never crashed or anything. If it helps to know, I'm using a Bitfenix Prodigy-M case, where the motherboard is inverted. I have two 120mm fans on top as intake and one 200mm fan on the bottom + one 140mm fan on the bottom rear as exhaust. The setup sounds unusual, but that's just how the config of the case is.

[seiny]

I have a similar problem with my laptop. According to Speccy, it's running at 96C while the system runs normally and the fans are quiet.

 

Laptop is different, depending on how old and how much dust accumulated etc. And also the fact that some laptops aren't thermally proficient.

My system never crashed or anything. If it helps to know, I'm using a Bitfenix Prodigy-M case, where the motherboard is inverted. I have two 120mm fans on top as intake and one 200mm fan on the bottom + one 140mm fan on the bottom rear as exhaust. The setup sounds unusual, but that's just how the config of the case is.

Well then you can go ahead and re-seat the cooler, although I believe in the saying "Don't fix it if it's not broken" - So test it properly first, do a stress test, and if it crashes then you know what to do.

[Raid]

Easy way to find out, touch it.

Step 1. Put your computer under load, like Prime95 or something and wait till the CPU reaches 90c according to the sensors

Step 2. Touch the heatsink. Is it hot? Is it even warm? If it's cold shut down your computer immediately and re-seat the cooler and re-apply the thermal paste. Otherwise, continue to step 3.

Step 3. Touch the base of the heatsink, does it feel like 90c in there? If not, then it's probably not a big problem the sensors might be a bit fucked up though, but I'd still suggest you at the very least try to re-seat the cooler.

[seiny]

Easy way to find out, touch it.

Step 1. Put your computer under load, like Prime95 or something and wait till the CPU reaches 90c according to the sensors

Step 2. Touch the heatsink. Is it hot? Is it even warm? If it's cold shut down your computer immediately and re-seat the cooler and re-apply the thermal paste. Otherwise, continue to step 3.

Step 3. Touch the base of the heatsink, does it feel like 90c in there? If not, then it's probably not a big problem the sensors might be a bit fucked up though, but I'd still suggest you at the very least try to re-seat the cooler.

Do this, but of course take anti-static precautions @chingyg

[Boink]

HW monitor is usually right within a degree or two, try the following:

 

Check the ambient temp, if above 80F/25C move your pc to a cooler room or turn up your ac (provided you have it)

Check temps

If temps are still unacceptable:

Check cooler, if needed re-seat cooler & replace thermal compound, use the good stuff.

Check temps

If temps are still unacceptable:

Buy a better CPU cooler and/or install additional/better case fans

Check temps

If temps are still unacceptable:

Undervolt your processor.

If all that doesn't do anything there may be something wrong with your processor, talk to the manufacturer or retailer.

 

Other things to consider:

PC placement: are your intake or exhaust fans blocked? Is your PC in a cabinet or desk?

Airflow: Are your fans giving a roughly balanced case pressure? Do you have enough?

 

Hopefully that helps!

[FizzyFantom]

Um,i find that hard to believe since the max temp of this chip is 74C and i think that if it reached 91C it would insta-shut down to prevent itself for any further damage.

I agree with this. Asus AI Suite has almost always been correct in my experience. If it was 91C it would have shut down (or at least have throttled.

I don't necessarily think you need to re-seat you CPU cooler. It is likely incorrect because HWMonitor is not quite compatible for that MB CPU combo. AMD doesn't use thermal probes in their CPUs (they haven't for a while), so it is calculated based on power draw and other info. It is far more likely that HWMonitor is not compatible than that the CPU is running way over its cutoff temp. Check it with some other software to be sure, but I think you're alright, Asus probably know what they're doing

[chingyg]

Thanks for all the feedback guys! I will most likely reseat and reapply the thermal paste worst case scenario. But it does seem silly that HW is showing 91C, so I'll probably use Asus's AI Suite II as reference from now on.

[harrynowl]

AMD FM2 CPUs have borked temp sensors. I would trust socket temps (reported by aisuite etc) only.