Newly Built Computer, CPU temperature really low

Javx123 · 14 Jan 2014

I have just recently built a computer. There was a problem with it and my friend and I had to trouble shoot it. When trouble shooting, we had to remove the CPU, ruining the heat paste. We have recently just reapplied the heat paste using the pea method. The only concern I have is that when I use CPUID Hard Ware Monitor, it says that the temperature for the computer is under 20 degrees Celsius when I'm browsing. I'm not sure if this is normal or not. Please help.

archer · 15 Jan 2014

Hi,

If the temps are low, then in my view you should not be worried. It's high temps that you should be concerned about. As you mentioned that you re applied thermal paste. Your CPU heat sink pipes are getting properly cooled and getting good air flow.

badger906 · 15 Jan 2014

try using cpuz or speed fan theyre my prefered monitoring software for everything related.

the easiest way to tell if its a dodgy reading is to simply measure the temperature in the room your sat in. if its more than 20c then its impossible for an air cooler to give a lower temp.

Javx123 · 15 Jan 2014

is it possible for it to be under 20 degrees Celsius though?

OvenMaster · 16 Jan 2014

Only if the room is like 15°c or so.
It is impossible to have an air-cooled CPU with a correct temp reading below the temp of the room.

AddRAM · 16 Jan 2014

Also, there should be a way to confirm the temperature in the bios.

Javx123 · 17 Jan 2014

alright thanks guys

madcratebuilder · 18 Jan 2014

Lower than ambient temp reading is not unheard of, some thermal resistors have trouble at lower temps. THIS site has some good info on chip and board sensors. Temps under 30C may be inaccurate but as the temp increases so should the accuracy, by 30+C it should be very close, +/-1C. I have a cpu that reads accurate down to 28C, then it drops to 12C, nothing in between.

You may encounter sensors that report the temp as the "difference" from a predetermined temp, ie devise is actual temp of 42C, but the reported temp is 58C or 58 degrees from 100C, the 100C being the predetermined temperature.

3D Jed · 18 Jan 2014

As has been noted, try several monitor apps - I use AIDA64. I have found that in general these apps give good readings with Intel, but sometimes inaccurate results with AMD - eg here on my Athlon X4 server

Newly Built Computer, CPU temperature really low-amd_temps.jpg

cpu cores well below ambient !

badger906 · 20 Jan 2014

speed fan says my cores are currently running at 112-118c... im not seeing any steam venting from my radiator or pump so I think its another dodgy reading!