Legit Reviews

I have just built my partner a new system.

Specs Below:
Processor: Intel C2Q Q6600 @ 3Ghz @ 1.3v With Zalman 9500 Cooler
Memory: 4Gb OCZ Nvidia SLi 667Mhz 4-4-4-12-2T
Hard Drive: 60Gb Kingston SSD OS/500Gb Samsung F1 HDD
Video Card: Zotac GTX 570 800Mhz/2000Mhz (Gelid Cooler)
Monitor: Viewsonic VA2216w
Operating System: Windows Vista Home 64 Bit
Motherboard: MSI P6N SLi V2
Case: Coolermaster HAF932 With Corsair GS800

This weird thing is, I have 3 of these cpu's pulled from old systems. The first 2 had the exact same vid of 1.325v had same idle (22c) and load (48c) temps and got same 3Ghz overclock (1.3v). However, the current Q6600 I have installed overclocks to the same 3Ghz @ 1.3v but idle temps are the same and load temps are very different. Idle (22c) Load (38c). That's the lowest temps I have even seen on a mid range air cooler. Are these temps a possible fault?

q6600 brings back memories

I think it is possessed and you should hold a seance immediately

LOl seriously, I have seen multiple cpu's give multiple readings over the years but the 10c is a bit of a gap. I would not worry too much though. Anything under 55-60C would not worry me. If it consistently went over 60c then I would look at lowering the OC.

Run multiple temp programs on each and see if you still get the variance... http://openhardwaremonitor.org/ - there is one.

Could also be a sensor out of whack on the motherboard.

Still, I would not worry if it is under 60c.

i'm just worrying in case this is a little on the cool side. I mean its better than I have seen on water?

The sensor is probably malfunctioning. That's all.

if that's potentially the case then how would I know the real temps?

DJ Tucker wrote:if that's potentially the case then how would I know the real temps?

The motherboard has the monitors on it, not the case. Unless you have some crazy thing that has wires plugging into the Mb to monitor the temp and even then, the temps come from the MB.

Did you check BIOS temp compared to windows/case/anything else temps?

Another odd thing would be if you have too much/too little thermal paste between the cpu and heatsink on the other builds and you got this one perfect.

You would have to wait for Nate or another reviewer to check this out but I think there is a way to use an external heat sensor gun to check the temps. I am not positive on how they do it when they review but it may shed some light on another way to check.

If you have another build of the same thing still around, swap the cpu/heatsink and see what each gives in the others system.