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- Dec 16, 2003
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After some debate, and my own interest into why my core temps idle well below ambient using an air cooler (on both a 1090T and an FX8120), I think I've found the answer. I continue to use the motherboard sensor and not the core sensor for the explanations given below.
and this taken from the K11 white paper
Most important is this
The silicon and adhesives used in manufacturing these processors has a peak temperature rating of 97+ Celsius before any form of degradation will take place. The processor also has a thermal shut off safe guard in place that shuts the processor down at 90 Celsius.
The Cpu temperature is read form a sensor embedded within the socket of your motherboard causing about a 7-10 Celsius variance form the actual Cpu temperature, which may be what you are reading about on the net.
You can use an application called AMD overdrive, that will allow you to monitor your temperatures accurately.
As long as your core temperature has not exceeded the high side of the 60 degree mark for extended periods of time you should be ok. 62 degrees holds a generous safety net to begin with.
I hope I was able to answer your questions, If you have any more inquiries don't hesitate to contact us.
Thank You
Alex Cromwell
Senior Technology Director
Advanced Micro Devices
Fort Collins, Colorado
2950 East Harmony Road
Suite 300
Fort Collins, CO
80528-9558
and this taken from the K11 white paper
2.10.1 The Tctl Temperature Scale
Tctl is the processor temperature control value, used by the platform to control its cooling systems. Tctl is
accessible through SB-TSI and F3xA4[CurTmp]. Tctl is a non-physical temperature on an arbitrary scale measured
in degrees. It does not represent an actual physical temperature like die or case temperature. Instead, it
specifies the processor temperature relative to the point at which the system must supply the maximum cooling
for the processor’s specified maximum case temperature and maximum thermal power dissipation. It is defined
as follows for all parts:
• For Tctl = 0 to Tctl_max - 0.125: the temperature of the part is [Tctl_max - Tctl] degrees under the temperature
for which maximum cooling is required.
• For Tctl = Tctl_max to 255.875: the temperature of the part is [Tctl - Tctl_max] degrees over the worst-case
expected temperature under normal conditions. The processor may take corrective actions that affects performance
or operation as a result, such as invoking HTC or THERMTRIP_L.
2.10.2 Thermal Diode
The thermal diode is a diode connected to the THERMDA and THERMDC pins used for thermal measurements.
External devices use measurements from the thermal diode measurements to calculate temperature during
operation and test. These measurements are required to be adjusted as specified by F3xE4[DiodeOffset].
This diode offset supports temperature sensors using two sourcing currents only. Other sourcing current implementations
are not compatible with the diode offset and are not supported. A correction to the offset may be
required for temperature sensors using other current sourcing methods. Contact the temperature sensor vendor
to determine whether an offset correction is needed.
Most important is this
Tctl is a non-physical temperature on an arbitrary scale measured
in degrees. It does not represent an actual physical temperature like die or case temperature. Instead, it
specifies the processor temperature relative to the point at which the system must supply the maximum cooling
for the processor’s specified maximum case temperature and maximum thermal power dissipation.