technology My Computer has Some Weird Temperature Readings...

[Zygen 6,065]

Ok, so I've had my new computer now for a few months now I think(I'm unsure the exact amount of time.) and I've bought a bunch of steam games, especially with the summer steam sale. 

 

I also bought Skyrim, which I have been playing a bunch, downloading mods and stuff, it doesn't run super well on my computer, but it still runs around 20-30 FPS on medium settings right now. Depending on where I am. 

 

But with all these mods I have and the fact Skyrim can be kind of on the more demanding end for graphics, I got wondering and possibly concerned for if my graphics card or processor might be overheating.

 

Nothing has happened like shut downs or anything, I've had no issues, no FPS drops, or anything to say that my computer may be overheating in any cases, but I just got paranoid being the paranoid person I am.

 

So I downloaded two different programs that monitor my computer temperature. The two programs are Speccy, and HWMonitor. Both do basically the same thing from what I know.

 

The weird thing is, both programs say the exact same temperature readings. And the temperature readings as i'm just sitting here with both open along with Steam, Skype, and a couple other programs that just are normally open are open, the temperature reading on my processor is like 50-60 C.

 

Meanwhile, my Graphics card is apparently like 1-5 C. Which is really cold sounding.

 

There are other readings it gives me, like fan rotations rate and voltage and stuff, but the temperature seems... off. And I was just worried something might be up, or if I simply don't understand the proper temperature my computer needs to be at.

 

I'm not sure, i'm just paranoid, and don't want anything to happen to my new computer. 

 

Also while playing Skyrim, once it starts my processor goes up to like 70 C or so, and my Graphics card goes to like 13 C or so. Still seems abnormal.

 

So yeah, i'm stumped, i'm kind of afraid I might be damaging my computer while it runs in this condition, so I don't really know what to do. 

 

I'll give some information on the computer and stuff, and I can give more, or atleast try to, if anyone asks, but for now I'll just try and give what I think may be useful.

 

First of all, i'd like to mention my computer is not put together by me, but by the people who I ordered my computer from on the site Ibuypower It has all kinds of gaming computers on it and stuff, and lets you customize the computers and stuff, and I put my computer together on there and they assemble it and send it to me. 

 

The computer has two fans I have control over, well limited control of high low and off, i'm not even sure where they are. I usually have them on high when playing games, and low if not. 

 

There are other fans i'm sure, but i'm unsure how many.

 

The computer also has liquid cooling in it. If you want specifics ask, but I feel they probably aren't to critical.

 

My specs are 

 

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit SP1

CPU: AMD A10-6800K (4 Cores)

RAM: 7.00GB Dual Channel DDR3 @ 667MHz

Motherboard: Gigabyte Technology Co. Ltd F2A88X-D3H AMD

Graphics: 768MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 8670D

Storage: 1TB 

Power supply: 300 Watt

 

And I also have cold Cathode lights, if that means anything. I imagine they don't affect the temperature, because they're well, COLD cathode, but I can turn them off with a switch. 

 

I can also try and get more specifics if anybody needs, I still have the list of parts and stuff they sent me along with the computer, and I can also check my specs with one of these programs, or just with windows.

 

And my graphics card is intergrated into my Processor. Not sure if that would affect things or what. I know, it's not the best idea ever, but I had a budget for the computer, so I couldn't just get anything I wanted. I plan on trying to get a new graphics card and upgrade some other stuff in the future, but right now i'm broke.

 

Thanks in advance, hopefully somehow can provide some kind of insight into exactly what is the issue with my computer, or if there is any issue for that matter.

 

 

 

 

 

[boiteporte 591]

Hello,

 

Well, from what you told me, the temperature on the CPU seems perfectly normal. 70 degrees is the average temperature for a busy computer where 50 degrees is the typical temperature for an idle computer.

 

Just to be sure, you might want to check the alarm setting on the BIOS and set it at the desired temperature. The computer will then beep if the temperature of the CPU becomes higher than the temperature set in the BIOS. Normally, the CPU can withstand up to 100 degrees and will normally shut itself down if it reaches that temperature (Be aware that 100 degrees on a CPU will reduce its life cycle).

 

However, what seems strange is the temperature on the graphics card since it cannot physically be 1 degree. However, my explanation for that reading is that you don't have a graphics card since you have an integrated graphics chipset in your motherboard and that might explain the dodgy reading on the GPU.

 

I hope my answer was useful

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask.

Edited July 30, 2014 by boiteporte

[TenorSounds 831]

It's most likely what bioiteporte said, that your computer is looking for an actual graphics cards not your integrated one and as-such is giving off a false temperature.

[Zygen 6,065]

Hello,

 

Well, from what you told me, the temperature on the CPU seems perfectly normal. 70 degrees is the average temperature for a busy computer where 50 degrees is the typical temperature for an idle computer.

 

Just to be sure, you might want to check the alarm setting on the BIOS and set it at the desired temperature. The computer will then beep if the temperature of the CPU becomes higher than the temperature set in the BIOS. Normally, the CPU can withstand up to 100 degrees and will normally shut itself down if it reaches that temperature (Be aware that 100 degrees on a CPU will reduce its life cycle).

 

However, what seems strange is the temperature on the graphics card since it cannot physically be 1 degree. However, my explanation for that reading is that you don't have a graphics card since you have an integrated graphics chipset in your motherboard and that might explain the dodgy reading on the GPU.

 

I hope my answer was useful

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask.

Really? Hm, well maybe I am just paranoid, 70 C seemed pretty high, considering that's something in the 140 F range(I'm American, I'm not very keen with the C to F conversions.) 

 

I didn't know you could even check the alarm settings on the BIOS, or that such a thing existed. I'll have to figure out how to do that. Because i'm not entirely sure how I would go about doing that, I assume it's in the startup menu, but i'm not sure.

I was aware of the fact computers normally shut down on their own when they get to overheating, but I wasn't sure if maybe my computer was still on the higher end or something, or maybe that feature wasn't working. My old crappy computer would shut down a lot (It was bad, I don't even want to remember the specs.) from overheating, but this computer so far has not done so.

 

And well, I would think 1 C would be pretty low, that's like 40 or so F I think, which is pretty cold, almost freezing.. So yeah, it seems kind of unrealistic. But the fact it's intergrated makes sense I guess why it may do that.

 

I think the chipset is actually in the processor though. Atleast that was my understanding based on what it told me when I was creating my computer.

 

And I found it useful, I'll have to go check that BIOS alarm thing, soon as I find out how.

 

Thanks for your help!

It's most likely what bioiteporte said, that your computer is looking for an actual graphics cards not your integrated one and as-such is giving off a false temperature.

Yeah, that seems to make sense. I'm not to big on the chipsets really for a few reasons, but it was cheaper and still works pretty well overall so far, I just figured i'd get it since I didn't have money for a real graphics card, and get a real graphics card later when I had money.

[boiteporte 591]

 

 

Really? Hm, well maybe I am just paranoid, 70 C seemed pretty high, considering that's something in the 140 F range(I'm American, I'm not very keen with the C to F conversions.)    I didn't know you could even check the alarm settings on the BIOS, or that such a thing existed. I'll have to figure out how to do that. Because i'm not entirely sure how I would go about doing that, I assume it's in the startup menu, but i'm not sure. I was aware of the fact computers normally shut down on their own when they get to overheating, but I wasn't sure if maybe my computer was still on the higher end or something, or maybe that feature wasn't working. My old crappy computer would shut down a lot (It was bad, I don't even want to remember the specs.) from overheating, but this computer so far has not done so.   And well, I would think 1 C would be pretty low, that's like 40 or so F I think, which is pretty cold, almost freezing.. So yeah, it seems kind of unrealistic. But the fact it's intergrated makes sense I guess why it may do that.   I think the chipset is actually in the processor though. Atleast that was my understanding based on what it told me when I was creating my computer.   And I found it useful, I'll have to go check that BIOS alarm thing, soon as I find out how.   Thanks for your help!

 

I don't know about Fahrenheit. But no, 70 is normal. Trust me.

The BIOS is not in the startup menu but you can access it by pressing a key during startup. The key depends on what BIOS you're using. It is usually DEL , F10, F8 or F2.

 

And yes, AMD CPUs have integrated graphics unlike Intel. So, in your case, the graphics chipset is integrated in your CPU. It is integrated in the motherboard only for Intel based sockets. 

[Zygen 6,065]

I don't know about Fahrenheit. But no, 70 is normal. Trust me.

The BIOS is not in the startup menu but you can access it by pressing a key during startup. The key depends on what BIOS you're using. It is usually DEL , F10, F8 or F2.

 

And yes, AMD CPUs have integrated graphics unlike Intel. So, in your case, the graphics chipset is integrated in your CPU. It is integrated in the motherboard only for Intel based sockets. 

Oh ok, as long as it's normal It doesn't matter the Fahrenheit equivalent, I was just making sure you didn't think I meant 70 F or something. And I'll have to look for it then by restarting my computer and pressing some until I figure out which it is ;p.

 

And oh, I never really noticed that, thank you for that information then .

[boiteporte 591]

 

 

Oh ok, as long as it's normal It doesn't matter the Fahrenheit equivalent, I was just making sure you didn't think I meant 70 F or something. And I'll have to look for it then by restarting my computer and pressing some until I figure out which it is ;p.   And oh, I never really noticed that, thank you for that information then

 

You're welcome  

You're welcome

[Zygen 6,065]

You're welcome

You're welcome

Well apparently my temperature warning thing was set to disabled, so I enabled it at 90 C. I assume that is an ok temperature for that.

 

It doesn't shut down at that temperature, but it will give some kind of warning sound or something. 

 

I have no idea what temperature the shutdown is at, nor if I can even alter that, or if it's enabled at all.

 

But regardless, seems everything may be in order and I was just paranoid.

 

Thanks again to you, and to any others who have helped, or who decide to help after this!

[boiteporte 591]

I would set it at 80. 90 is too high. The CPU will shutdown at 100. This is a standard for all modern CPUs (Intel and AMD).

There is nothing you can do about the shutdown temperature since it is a built in safety measure.

[Zygen 6,065]

I would set it at 80. 90 is too high. The CPU will shutdown at 100. This is a standard for all modern CPUs (Intel and AMD).

There is nothing you can do about the shutdown temperature since it is a built in safety measure.

I might see about changing it, the only thing is that my computer sometimes spikes up to like 80 randomly while playing games or stuff like that, so idk if it'd end up going off randomly or something when it doesn't really need to.

 

And ok, that makes sense. 

Thanks for the help again!

[SkyDream 315]

Glad you have your optimum.  I'm also glad that your PSU is working for you.  300 Watts is tiny compared to most of what's on the market.  I wouldn't feel comfortable with anything less than 550 these days.  Most mid to high end graphics cards shouldn't be running on anything less than 750 to feel secure, if you are into doing serious gaming. 

 

I had a PC of similar specs to you a few years ago, and it ran beautifully with 500 Watts. The temperature range was a tiny bit higher than yours currently are, at 74°C on average for the GPU diode, with 55°C processor temperatures.

[Zygen 6,065]

Glad you have your optimum.  I'm also glad that your PSU is working for you.  300 Watts is tiny compared to most of what's on the market.  I wouldn't feel comfortable with anything less than 550 these days.  Most mid to high end graphics cards shouldn't be running on anything less than 750 to feel secure, if you are into doing serious gaming. 

 

I had a PC of similar specs to you a few years ago, and it ran beautifully with 500 Watts. The temperature range was a tiny bit higher than yours currently are, at 74°C on average for the GPU diode, with 55°C processor temperatures.

Yeah, 300 watts isn't to much really, I'm probably going to replace it with something a bit larger. It's a bit smaller than i'd like, but yeah.

 

And i'm going to eventually get a new graphics card anyways, which means I will have to replace the power supply. 

 

And yeah, although mine can spike up sometimes. and get pretty hot. It can get up to 80 sometimes, and i've even had it spike as high as 90 before. 

 

When I'm not doing much like right now, it's usually around 60 on the processor. 

 

My Graphics card isn't really a graphics card, so I guess that's why it apparently is ice cold.

 

And heck because they're intergrated, it may be inaccurate as far as the readings on the temperature are in the first place. It could be picking up on the graphics card, and the processor together. 

 

Regardless I just hope I don't cause any damage to my computer trying to push it to hard. Because it could probably use a few upgrades for some of the stuff I do I guess, but it runs pretty well overall.

[SkyDream 315]

To be honest, if you're happy with the way things are now, then I am both happy for you, as well as impressed.  It's not every day that I see something like that.    I remember when I was -extremely- happy with getting Half Life 1 to run at 55+ frames per second under 320 x 200 resolution on a Pentium II 300 MHZ machine.  Hot diggity.

[Zygen 6,065]

To be honest, if you're happy with the way things are now, then I am both happy for you, as well as impressed.  It's not every day that I see something like that.    I remember when I was -extremely- happy with getting Half Life 1 to run at 55+ frames per second under 320 x 200 resolution on a Pentium II 300 MHZ machine.  Hot diggity.

Idk if i'm happy with the way things are completely, but i'm still mostly satisfied, i'm more worried about the stability of my computer really at this moment in time.

 

Haha, My old computer probably would be lucky to do that, it was a piece of junk, my laptop before that was way better. This old computer had like 2 gigs of ram, it was painful D:.

[King 5,625]

Hey there @Zygen, since this involves discussion on Technology (aka computer hardware/software) , I've moved it to Media Discussion under the Technology tag. Please ensure you post threads in the correct section in the future man.


Also, I hope you manage to figure this put man.

[Zygen 6,065]

Hey there @Zygen, since this involves discussion on Technology (aka computer hardware/software) , I've moved it to Media Discussion under the Technology tag. Please ensure you post threads in the correct section in the future man.

 

 

Also, I hope you manage to figure this put man.

Ah sorry, I wasn't quite sure on whether to put it here or there, I think the last computer related thread I posted I ended up putting here, thanks for moving it though Dawn! 

[Evilshy 5,089]

CPU temps in general:

 

<40 - something is broken and you're getting an inaccurate reading unless you live in a server room or something

 

50-70 - everything is fine

 

80 - be careful

 

90 - you should probably stop what you're doing

 

>100 - turn off everything NOW

 

I used to have a craptop that would routinely run at 90+ while gaming. Shit was not fun, but my new laptop has copper sinks/fins, an extra fan and an expanded case for better airflow

 

And yeah, the weird reading on the GPU temp is probably due to it not being an actual GPU, so the program doesn't really know what to do with it.

[Zygen 6,065]

CPU temps in general:

 

<40 - something is broken and you're getting an inaccurate reading unless you live in a server room or something

 

50-70 - everything is fine

 

80 - be careful

 

90 - you should probably stop what you're doing

 

>100 - turn off everything NOW

 

I used to have a craptop that would routinely run at 90+ while gaming. Shit was not fun, but my new laptop has copper sinks/fins, an extra fan and an expanded case for better airflow

 

And yeah, the weird reading on the GPU temp is probably due to it not being an actual GPU, so the program doesn't really know what to do with it.

Ah ok, thanks for the chart ;p.

 

My computer seems to run 60-70 without playing games, and when playing games it'll jump up to high 70's, sometimes get to 80 after a bit depending. 

 

Only time I ever get to 90 is when it spikes up usually ironically after shutting down a game or something, but it only reads that for like a few seconds. Then it dies down back to 60-70.

 

It could be a bit lower, preferably, but I suppose it's still mostly safe overall. Like I said I might upgrade soon and get an actual GPU, to fix several of these issues. along with a new power supply of course(300 watt is pretty weak lol.) 

 

My old crap desktop I had before this one(I had a laptop before that, which worked much better, although it could get pretty hot until I got some extra fans to put around and under it. ;p.) would routinely overheat randomly, to the point of shutting down, it was pretty annoying, but it was pretty crap at playing games or anything anyways, it had some really crappy intel intergrated graphics chip. 

 

Now I have like a mid sized tower case, with fans and liquid cooling, so it takes a bit to overheat i'm sure.

 

And the inaccurate readings of my intergrated chipset and processor probably means it's not even as heated as it's reading it as.

[Planty 1,052]

@@Zygen, 70 is fine trust me

 

I have a rig that ran at 90 ish all the time and thats fine as well, once it starts to get higher then 90, thats when you need to start thinking about getting bigger fans. 

 

Wow you have liquid cooling? Seems like a  bit overkill for a PC with no GFX card :x

 

even a small GFX card would be a decent upgrade for you

[Zygen 6,065]

@@Zygen, 70 is fine trust me

 

I have a rig that ran at 90 ish all the time and thats fine as well, once it starts to get higher then 90, thats when you need to start thinking about getting bigger fans. 

 

Wow you have liquid cooling? Seems like a  bit overkill for a PC with no GFX card :x

 

even a small GFX card would be a decent upgrade for you

Ah ok ;p. Well I just got some standard fans, I didn't get anything fancy, just whatever they included, if you want specifics I can find out i'm sure.

 

Yeah, it was basically free with the computer lol. I didn't have to pay much of anything extra, it kinda came bundled with the rest of the computer. And while it may be overkill possibly now, it won't be if I get an actual GPU ;p.

 

My intergrated chipset isn't really that bad, like I said it stills runs most things at 30-60 FPS depending. it runs Skyrim on medium with all my mods at 20-30, so that isn't that bad.

 

But it could be better for sure.

 

Like I said i'll probably upgrade eventually. Probably get a Nvidia card actually.