P8Z68 Deluxe CPU temps and BIOS version

[mjf]

ASUS P8Z68 Deluxe CPU temps and BIOS version

Has anyone noticed with this ASUS Motherboard that the CPU temperature measures are different after upgrading from the 0501 BIOS (all ASUS releases for the Board). The temps went down about 10 Celsius. One explanation I saw said it was Tcase vs Tcore/Tjunction difference.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2188546
But
1) Why suddenly change
2) It now doesn't align with Core Temp, Real Temp, SIW...
3) More importantly the FAN Xpert control curves in the ASUS AI suite are still the same. This means the CPU isn't getting cooled enough???

I'm now back with the 0501 BIOS but definitely confused.

Has anyone any experience with this issue?

 

[essenbe]

mjf, I don't have an Asus board, but from reading reviews of Asus boards on Newegg I have read where several people said the same thing.

 

[mjf]

Thanks for the response essenbe.
It seems a pretty big deal (especially to me!) and yet getting information is proving difficult.
When it comes to providing wide ranging high level advice - Seven Forum you're in a league of your own.

 

[zvjfopwe]

Have you tried the ASUS forums?

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.-Forum-

 

[mjf]

Have you tried the ASUS forums?

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.-Forum-

Yes one of the first areas I went to.
One of the reasons I praised this website in comparison.

I didn't find an answer to the important issues I raised above.
I tried BIOS upgrade versions 0603 and 0706 which both had the temperature issue. Needless to say I don't like flashing the BIOS too often and went back to 0501.

 

[mjf]

It looks like ASUS have an issue Measuring Tcase in later BIOS versions and using Tcore/Tjunction temperature control curves which is what I observe!
Official ASUS BIOS and Program Updates - Page 182 - [H]ard|Forum
[H]ard|Forum - View Single Post - Official ASUS BIOS and Program Updates
This may apply to other ASUS Z68 boards.

I might try SpeedFan - any other suggestions?

Edit: Until ASUS fix the problem I'd stay with the 0501 BIOS or you will not get correct CPU fan control.

 

[essenbe]

I don't have any suggestions for you. Like me, I know you want to know what the temp actually is. I did some research on it today and info was pretty hard to come by, as you said in your first post. I think I would just use whatever program I have the most confidence in, and go with that. That's my opinion. Sorry I couldn't help.

 

[LexLen]

The later Bios from 6.03 has the correct temprture value the 5.01 is incorrect this I think is due to possible changes in the Z chipset.
I have several Z68 chipset systemboards including an intel model, I get aprox the same reading on all my i7 2600k cpu's with the same V8 Cooler on all my boards +- 2 degrees, using the standard Intel box cooler the temp is a lot more but still matches the Intel system board with standard cooler.
I did these test because I was worried why my Asus system board with a I7 and a V8 cooler was hotter on idle than the Intel board with a standard cooler.
Hope this helps you.

 

[mjf]

The later Bios from 6.03 has the correct temprture value the 5.01 is incorrect this I think is due to possible changes in the Z chipset.
I have several Z68 chipset systemboards including an intel model, I get aprox the same reading on all my i7 2600k cpu's with the same V8 Cooler on all my boards +- 2 degrees, using the standard Intel box cooler the temp is a lot more but still matches the Intel system board with standard cooler.
I did these test because I was worried why my Asus system board with a I7 and a V8 cooler was hotter on idle than the Intel board with a standard cooler.
Hope this helps you.

Thanks for your response but...

v 0501 bios measures Tcore very close to the software (CoreTemp, RealTemp, SIW). The ASUS temperature control curves appear well matched to this temperature.

Later BIOS versions measure 8-10 Celsius less according to the ASUS BIOS and Probe II. I assume what is being measured is more like Tcase. The temperature control curves have the same %Fan vs Temperature.
The net result is Prime95 and Handbrake encodes run around 3 degrees Celsius higher with the later BIOSs. I consider this bad!

ASUS can't change the temperature measure and leave the control curves the same.

 

[Britton30]

There is another way to read temps Speccy - System Information - Free Download to see how Speccy's readings fit in with your others.

 

[mjf]

Some Test Results

V5.01 of BIOS
First light load after a Real Temp Prime95 test. Note all temps at 26C from Probe II, Real Temp, Core Temp. This is the Core temperature. Note the position on the fan speed curve.

Next under heavy load from the Prime95 test. Note the temperatures are reasonably consistent. Note the position on the fan speed curve


V7.06 of BIOS
The following screen shots are the same as the above except for the upgraded BIOS. Note the Probe II temperatures are down by approximately 10 Celcius. The fan speed curves are the same but the position on the curve now corresponds to the lower temperature. This lower temperature looks more like Tcase. The preset speed curves like "Standard" make less sense now. They should have been moved to the left.



Conclusion
I still believe there is a mistake in the fan speed curves which follow Tcase and not Tcore for BIOSs above v5.01. However, for my CPU cooler and case it doesn't end up making much difference to the end maximum core CPU temperature running Prime95. I'll use the User defined curve if it bothers me in the future.

 

[Haru78]

I have noticed this also today. I just got the P8Z68 Deluxe which ships with 501 bios. I was running it with this bios for a couple days then decided to update and immediately I noticed the 8-10 degree cooler CPU temps. I did a search and came across this forum topic and now I know that I am not the only one to see this issue. Problem is I am not sure what temp to believe now

 

[mjf]

I have sent this issue to ASUS for an answer. I certainly hope I get an answer! If I do I will post it.
The test results strongly suggest:
1) BIOS 0501 report Tcore. BIOS v0603 and above report Tcase.
2) The preset Speed-Temperature curves remain unchanged. They now seem inappropriate for Tcase temperature measurements.

The Speed-Temperature curves are also programmed into the BIOS. A BIOS change is required.

Programs like CoreTemp, RealTemp, SIW, HWMonitor appear to present a measure of Tcore (~8-10 Celsius more than Tcase).
For any safe maximum temperature I recommend you only use your CPU's spec sheet.
For my i7 2600k @3.4GHz my Tcase max is 72.6 Celcius.

 

[Haru78]

found this on the asus forums

"AiSuite II displays the CPU Surface temperature, also known as Tcase, while CoreTemp or Realtemp shows the raw value read out from PECI, which is the core temperature, also known as Tjunction."

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.-Forum- AL Suite vs Core Temp

still doesnt really explain the nearly 10 degree difference from the two bios versions

 

[mjf]

I've seen that thread and quite frankly it's a bit lame. The final comment suggested to me that it was common knowledge!!! - it is not. I would like an official statement from ASUS not a forum member.
My suggestion to ASUS is:
1) If you make a fundamental change to your measure of CPU temperature then clearly state it in the BIOS update notes. State what temperature you are reporting.
2) Along with this make the appropriate changes to the speed-temperature curves.

In the current "Standard" curve setting 100% fan kicks in with with Tcase=70 Celcius. Given Tcase|max=72.6 Celsius for an i7 2600k how does that make sense

 

[mjf]

UPDATE:
Asus are about to get my No. 1 ranking in unbelievably bad customer support.
They have all the information but it is not being passed on and all I get is the runaround.
So much for a premium Brand.