Re: [H] Cores with Different Temps at Idle?
Rick, LOL! Brothers under the skin I suspect! It's all good here.. :) Best, Duncan On 01/25/2010 16:25, Rick Glazier wrote: I've mellowed. From drilling down to the depths of the Arctic Silver site looking for the infamous XRAY views of the buried DIES, (dramatic pause...) I just clean up the cover of a NEW CPU and flop on the Heat sink with the factory compound it came with. (I use retail heat sinks that come with the boxed CPUs.) Rick Glazier From: "DSinc" Rick, Interesting share. I missed the "X-Ray" pix. And, now, I find ...
Re: [H] Cores with Different Temps at Idle?
I've mellowed. From drilling down to the depths of the Arctic Silver site looking for the infamous XRAY views of the buried DIES, (dramatic pause...) I just clean up the cover of a NEW CPU and flop on the Heat sink with the factory compound it came with. (I use retail heat sinks that come with the boxed CPUs.) Rick Glazier From: "DSinc" Rick, Interesting share. I missed the "X-Ray" pix. And, now, I find ...
Re: [H] Cores with Different Temps at Idle?
Rick, Interesting share. I missed the "X-Ray" pix. And, now, I find in 2010 that I did NOT spread my AS5 properly on my C2D's. DAMN! It is tough when manuals get revised and I miss the revision! I spread my AS5 on the small, round silvery puck of the Intel HSF. Did the old "credit-card" trick. That puck was SO much smaller than the surface of the C2D, I sensed an immediate OVERHEAT! Very odd I thought at the time (10/08). C2D's were brand new to me at that time. :) I still subscribe to AS5. I am happy to now have a NEW installation manual for AS5. I will continue to use and suggest AS5. My 3 E8400's heat nicely at ~32C idle. I do so love the C2D! Best, Duncan On 01/23/2010 10:40, Rick Glazier wrote: I did a quick scan of that thread at your link. It reminded me about the different patterns Arctic Silver recommends for the "CPU top surface heatsink" covers. They have showed "X-Ray" pictures of the covered dies, and EXACTLY where to apply the paste. They approach it like a Science, not an art... I assume you saw that, but if not it might help IF ONLY a little. Rick Glazier From: "Anthony Q. Martin" Well, google is my friend. It turns out this temp diff between cores is quite common for Intel Core 2 chips. Many have reported about it for quad cores. Here is just one thread: http://techreport.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=60434
Re: [H] Cores with Different Temps at Idle?
I did a quick scan of that thread at your link. It reminded me about the different patterns Arctic Silver recommends for the "CPU top surface heatsink" covers. They have showed "X-Ray" pictures of the covered dies, and EXACTLY where to apply the paste. They approach it like a Science, not an art... I assume you saw that, but if not it might help IF ONLY a little. Rick Glazier From: "Anthony Q. Martin" Well, google is my friend. It turns out this temp diff between cores is quite common for Intel Core 2 chips. Many have reported about it for quad cores. Here is just one thread: http://techreport.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=60434
Re: [H] Cores with Different Temps at Idle?
Anthony, I scanned your shared thread. ;) Yes, it seems that many still worry about their core's temp. Gosh, I wish I could get into (emotional about) this. Frankly, I can NOT! Perhaps, I just do not care anymore. My 3 E8400's all cruise in the 42-44F range constantly regardless of LOAD. I use both the Asus Probe II (?), bios, and Everest to monitor cpu temps; if/when I "think" perhaps there "appears to be" a problem. ATM, (I checked my records)...well, I can't recall the last time I even looked! Real-speak, my 3 C2D's have now done ~14 months of 24/7 without a single discernible hiccup. I know the List is off to the I5 and I7 chips. I'd like to own a case of E8400's personally (spares). I comprehend you might wish to overclock (OC). Noticed that some of our modern chips do have BW to spare. Fine. I gave up most things OC 10 years ago. I run box-stock at 3.0GHz quite happily. Different strokes for different folks, I suppose. And, everyone has their own needs/demands. So many choices; so many solutions. Best, Duncan On 01/22/2010 22:58, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Well, google is my friend. It turns out this temp diff between cores is quite common for Intel Core 2 chips. Many have reported about it for quad cores. Here is just one thread: http://techreport.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=60434 On 1/22/2010 9:07 PM, DSinc wrote: Anthony, I know nada. But reads like another "bed-in" or "cure" cycle is in progress. Good luck. I'll read your results on my C2D-E8400. Best, Duncan On 01/22/2010 18:11, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: BTW, I've reapplied the goop to the CPU at least 4 times since I have had it. Certainly, not much curing going on. I got the new mounting hardware today, too, so I'll be taking it all apart again soon. On 1/22/2010 5:52 PM, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Good points, Duncan. I had forgotten all about this "curing". Thanks for the comments. On 1/22/2010 5:29 PM, DSinc wrote: Anthony, Perhaps this thread has to wait until other quad-core users pick it up. I just do not know. Yes, you could have a HSF issue, but I'll bet it may really be that you are still in the processor/HSF "bed-in" cycle. I recall that with my C2D's, it took about 7 full 24-hour cycles for all 3 of them to settle down temperature-wise. From what I've read recently, all the new HS-paste(s) now seem to have a "curing" period(?) DUH! OK. Something new for a builder to deal with. I am still so new to C2D processors that I still do NOT know what I do not know! LOL! I do so know that I love my C2D's! Best, Duncan On 01/22/2010 16:57, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Thanks for the reply, Duncan. I'm not exactly worried, but sort of wondering if my hs/fan is on correctly. If I open task manager, and look at the CPUs in "performance" I see no evidence that core 4 is the work horse. Usually, it is core 1 doing most of the work. Right now I can seem some rumbling among the core. None of them seem to be doing much as I type this, even though I have a bunch of windows open right now. I'll get a spike once I send this! :) On 1/22/2010 4:23 PM, DSinc wrote: Anthony, I only have C2D, but I always notice that one core runs "cooler" than the other. I chalk this up to I have a core in reserve for when some problem/program/etc. needs the 2d core. Believe this is nothing to worry about. JMHO. Perhaps your core 4 is the one that gets all the normal duties; the other 3 just float waiting to be called to duty. Duncan On 01/22/2010 15:37, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Are you folks sleeping or working? :) I notice on my Q9550 that core 4 always runs several degrees C higher than the other cores (right now they are 33, 33, 34, and 39 degrees C). Anyone know why? I'm using RealTemp 3.4 to monitor temps. It has been this way for a while now, no matter how I have the hs/fan mounted. Thanks. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2638 - Release Date: 01/22/10 02:34:00 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2638 - Release Date: 01/22/10 02:34:00 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2639 - Release Date: 01/22/10 14:33:00 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2639 - Release Date: 01/22/10 14:33:00
Re: [H] Cores with Different Temps at Idle?
Well, google is my friend. It turns out this temp diff between cores is quite common for Intel Core 2 chips. Many have reported about it for quad cores. Here is just one thread: http://techreport.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=60434 On 1/22/2010 9:07 PM, DSinc wrote: Anthony, I know nada. But reads like another "bed-in" or "cure" cycle is in progress. Good luck. I'll read your results on my C2D-E8400. Best, Duncan On 01/22/2010 18:11, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: BTW, I've reapplied the goop to the CPU at least 4 times since I have had it. Certainly, not much curing going on. I got the new mounting hardware today, too, so I'll be taking it all apart again soon. On 1/22/2010 5:52 PM, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Good points, Duncan. I had forgotten all about this "curing". Thanks for the comments. On 1/22/2010 5:29 PM, DSinc wrote: Anthony, Perhaps this thread has to wait until other quad-core users pick it up. I just do not know. Yes, you could have a HSF issue, but I'll bet it may really be that you are still in the processor/HSF "bed-in" cycle. I recall that with my C2D's, it took about 7 full 24-hour cycles for all 3 of them to settle down temperature-wise. From what I've read recently, all the new HS-paste(s) now seem to have a "curing" period(?) DUH! OK. Something new for a builder to deal with. I am still so new to C2D processors that I still do NOT know what I do not know! LOL! I do so know that I love my C2D's! Best, Duncan On 01/22/2010 16:57, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Thanks for the reply, Duncan. I'm not exactly worried, but sort of wondering if my hs/fan is on correctly. If I open task manager, and look at the CPUs in "performance" I see no evidence that core 4 is the work horse. Usually, it is core 1 doing most of the work. Right now I can seem some rumbling among the core. None of them seem to be doing much as I type this, even though I have a bunch of windows open right now. I'll get a spike once I send this! :) On 1/22/2010 4:23 PM, DSinc wrote: Anthony, I only have C2D, but I always notice that one core runs "cooler" than the other. I chalk this up to I have a core in reserve for when some problem/program/etc. needs the 2d core. Believe this is nothing to worry about. JMHO. Perhaps your core 4 is the one that gets all the normal duties; the other 3 just float waiting to be called to duty. Duncan On 01/22/2010 15:37, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Are you folks sleeping or working? :) I notice on my Q9550 that core 4 always runs several degrees C higher than the other cores (right now they are 33, 33, 34, and 39 degrees C). Anyone know why? I'm using RealTemp 3.4 to monitor temps. It has been this way for a while now, no matter how I have the hs/fan mounted. Thanks. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2638 - Release Date: 01/22/10 02:34:00 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2638 - Release Date: 01/22/10 02:34:00 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2639 - Release Date: 01/22/10 14:33:00 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2639 - Release Date: 01/22/10 14:33:00
Re: [H] Cores with Different Temps at Idle?
Anthony, I know nada. But reads like another "bed-in" or "cure" cycle is in progress. Good luck. I'll read your results on my C2D-E8400. Best, Duncan On 01/22/2010 18:11, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: BTW, I've reapplied the goop to the CPU at least 4 times since I have had it. Certainly, not much curing going on. I got the new mounting hardware today, too, so I'll be taking it all apart again soon. On 1/22/2010 5:52 PM, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Good points, Duncan. I had forgotten all about this "curing". Thanks for the comments. On 1/22/2010 5:29 PM, DSinc wrote: Anthony, Perhaps this thread has to wait until other quad-core users pick it up. I just do not know. Yes, you could have a HSF issue, but I'll bet it may really be that you are still in the processor/HSF "bed-in" cycle. I recall that with my C2D's, it took about 7 full 24-hour cycles for all 3 of them to settle down temperature-wise. From what I've read recently, all the new HS-paste(s) now seem to have a "curing" period(?) DUH! OK. Something new for a builder to deal with. I am still so new to C2D processors that I still do NOT know what I do not know! LOL! I do so know that I love my C2D's! Best, Duncan On 01/22/2010 16:57, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Thanks for the reply, Duncan. I'm not exactly worried, but sort of wondering if my hs/fan is on correctly. If I open task manager, and look at the CPUs in "performance" I see no evidence that core 4 is the work horse. Usually, it is core 1 doing most of the work. Right now I can seem some rumbling among the core. None of them seem to be doing much as I type this, even though I have a bunch of windows open right now. I'll get a spike once I send this! :) On 1/22/2010 4:23 PM, DSinc wrote: Anthony, I only have C2D, but I always notice that one core runs "cooler" than the other. I chalk this up to I have a core in reserve for when some problem/program/etc. needs the 2d core. Believe this is nothing to worry about. JMHO. Perhaps your core 4 is the one that gets all the normal duties; the other 3 just float waiting to be called to duty. Duncan On 01/22/2010 15:37, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Are you folks sleeping or working? :) I notice on my Q9550 that core 4 always runs several degrees C higher than the other cores (right now they are 33, 33, 34, and 39 degrees C). Anyone know why? I'm using RealTemp 3.4 to monitor temps. It has been this way for a while now, no matter how I have the hs/fan mounted. Thanks. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2638 - Release Date: 01/22/10 02:34:00 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2638 - Release Date: 01/22/10 02:34:00 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2639 - Release Date: 01/22/10 14:33:00
Re: [H] Cores with Different Temps at Idle?
Why not go in Task Manager, under view -- turn on watching all 4 cores AND the kernel times. Then watch - (Performance Tab.) That should show if it is a real work difference. Rick Glazier From: "Anthony Q. Martin" BTW, I've reapplied the goop to the CPU at least 4 times since I have had it. Certainly, not much curing going on. I got the new mounting hardware today, too, so I'll be taking it all apart again soon. On 1/22/2010 5:52 PM, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Good points, Duncan. I had forgotten all about this "curing". Thanks for the comments. On 1/22/2010 5:29 PM, DSinc wrote: Anthony, Perhaps this thread has to wait until other quad-core users pick it up. I just do not know. Yes, you could have a HSF issue, but I'll bet it may really be that you are still in the processor/HSF "bed-in" cycle. I recall that with my C2D's, it took about 7 full 24-hour cycles for all 3 of them to settle down temperature-wise. From what I've read recently, all the new HS-paste(s) now seem to have a "curing" period(?) DUH! OK. Something new for a builder to deal with. I am still so new to C2D processors that I still do NOT know what I do not know! LOL! I do so know that I love my C2D's! Best, Duncan On 01/22/2010 16:57, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Thanks for the reply, Duncan. I'm not exactly worried, but sort of wondering if my hs/fan is on correctly. If I open task manager, and look at the CPUs in "performance" I see no evidence that core 4 is the work horse. Usually, it is core 1 doing most of the work. Right now I can seem some rumbling among the core. None of them seem to be doing much as I type this, even though I have a bunch of windows open right now. I'll get a spike once I send this! :) On 1/22/2010 4:23 PM, DSinc wrote: Anthony, I only have C2D, but I always notice that one core runs "cooler" than the other. I chalk this up to I have a core in reserve for when some problem/program/etc. needs the 2d core. Believe this is nothing to worry about. JMHO. Perhaps your core 4 is the one that gets all the normal duties; the other 3 just float waiting to be called to duty. Duncan On 01/22/2010 15:37, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Are you folks sleeping or working? :) I notice on my Q9550 that core 4 always runs several degrees C higher than the other cores (right now they are 33, 33, 34, and 39 degrees C). Anyone know why? I'm using RealTemp 3.4 to monitor temps. It has been this way for a while now, no matter how I have the hs/fan mounted. Thanks. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2638 - Release Date: 01/22/10 02:34:00 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2638 - Release Date: 01/22/10 02:34:00 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2639 - Release Date: 01/22/10 14:33:00
Re: [H] Cores with Different Temps at Idle?
BTW, I've reapplied the goop to the CPU at least 4 times since I have had it. Certainly, not much curing going on. I got the new mounting hardware today, too, so I'll be taking it all apart again soon. On 1/22/2010 5:52 PM, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Good points, Duncan. I had forgotten all about this "curing". Thanks for the comments. On 1/22/2010 5:29 PM, DSinc wrote: Anthony, Perhaps this thread has to wait until other quad-core users pick it up. I just do not know. Yes, you could have a HSF issue, but I'll bet it may really be that you are still in the processor/HSF "bed-in" cycle. I recall that with my C2D's, it took about 7 full 24-hour cycles for all 3 of them to settle down temperature-wise. From what I've read recently, all the new HS-paste(s) now seem to have a "curing" period(?) DUH! OK. Something new for a builder to deal with. I am still so new to C2D processors that I still do NOT know what I do not know! LOL! I do so know that I love my C2D's! Best, Duncan On 01/22/2010 16:57, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Thanks for the reply, Duncan. I'm not exactly worried, but sort of wondering if my hs/fan is on correctly. If I open task manager, and look at the CPUs in "performance" I see no evidence that core 4 is the work horse. Usually, it is core 1 doing most of the work. Right now I can seem some rumbling among the core. None of them seem to be doing much as I type this, even though I have a bunch of windows open right now. I'll get a spike once I send this! :) On 1/22/2010 4:23 PM, DSinc wrote: Anthony, I only have C2D, but I always notice that one core runs "cooler" than the other. I chalk this up to I have a core in reserve for when some problem/program/etc. needs the 2d core. Believe this is nothing to worry about. JMHO. Perhaps your core 4 is the one that gets all the normal duties; the other 3 just float waiting to be called to duty. Duncan On 01/22/2010 15:37, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Are you folks sleeping or working? :) I notice on my Q9550 that core 4 always runs several degrees C higher than the other cores (right now they are 33, 33, 34, and 39 degrees C). Anyone know why? I'm using RealTemp 3.4 to monitor temps. It has been this way for a while now, no matter how I have the hs/fan mounted. Thanks. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2638 - Release Date: 01/22/10 02:34:00 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2638 - Release Date: 01/22/10 02:34:00 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2639 - Release Date: 01/22/10 14:33:00
Re: [H] Cores with Different Temps at Idle?
Good points, Duncan. I had forgotten all about this "curing". Thanks for the comments. On 1/22/2010 5:29 PM, DSinc wrote: Anthony, Perhaps this thread has to wait until other quad-core users pick it up. I just do not know. Yes, you could have a HSF issue, but I'll bet it may really be that you are still in the processor/HSF "bed-in" cycle. I recall that with my C2D's, it took about 7 full 24-hour cycles for all 3 of them to settle down temperature-wise. From what I've read recently, all the new HS-paste(s) now seem to have a "curing" period(?) DUH! OK. Something new for a builder to deal with. I am still so new to C2D processors that I still do NOT know what I do not know! LOL! I do so know that I love my C2D's! Best, Duncan On 01/22/2010 16:57, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Thanks for the reply, Duncan. I'm not exactly worried, but sort of wondering if my hs/fan is on correctly. If I open task manager, and look at the CPUs in "performance" I see no evidence that core 4 is the work horse. Usually, it is core 1 doing most of the work. Right now I can seem some rumbling among the core. None of them seem to be doing much as I type this, even though I have a bunch of windows open right now. I'll get a spike once I send this! :) On 1/22/2010 4:23 PM, DSinc wrote: Anthony, I only have C2D, but I always notice that one core runs "cooler" than the other. I chalk this up to I have a core in reserve for when some problem/program/etc. needs the 2d core. Believe this is nothing to worry about. JMHO. Perhaps your core 4 is the one that gets all the normal duties; the other 3 just float waiting to be called to duty. Duncan On 01/22/2010 15:37, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Are you folks sleeping or working? :) I notice on my Q9550 that core 4 always runs several degrees C higher than the other cores (right now they are 33, 33, 34, and 39 degrees C). Anyone know why? I'm using RealTemp 3.4 to monitor temps. It has been this way for a while now, no matter how I have the hs/fan mounted. Thanks. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2638 - Release Date: 01/22/10 02:34:00 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2638 - Release Date: 01/22/10 02:34:00
Re: [H] Cores with Different Temps at Idle?
Anthony, Perhaps this thread has to wait until other quad-core users pick it up. I just do not know. Yes, you could have a HSF issue, but I'll bet it may really be that you are still in the processor/HSF "bed-in" cycle. I recall that with my C2D's, it took about 7 full 24-hour cycles for all 3 of them to settle down temperature-wise. From what I've read recently, all the new HS-paste(s) now seem to have a "curing" period(?) DUH! OK. Something new for a builder to deal with. I am still so new to C2D processors that I still do NOT know what I do not know! LOL! I do so know that I love my C2D's! Best, Duncan On 01/22/2010 16:57, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Thanks for the reply, Duncan. I'm not exactly worried, but sort of wondering if my hs/fan is on correctly. If I open task manager, and look at the CPUs in "performance" I see no evidence that core 4 is the work horse. Usually, it is core 1 doing most of the work. Right now I can seem some rumbling among the core. None of them seem to be doing much as I type this, even though I have a bunch of windows open right now. I'll get a spike once I send this! :) On 1/22/2010 4:23 PM, DSinc wrote: Anthony, I only have C2D, but I always notice that one core runs "cooler" than the other. I chalk this up to I have a core in reserve for when some problem/program/etc. needs the 2d core. Believe this is nothing to worry about. JMHO. Perhaps your core 4 is the one that gets all the normal duties; the other 3 just float waiting to be called to duty. Duncan On 01/22/2010 15:37, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Are you folks sleeping or working? :) I notice on my Q9550 that core 4 always runs several degrees C higher than the other cores (right now they are 33, 33, 34, and 39 degrees C). Anyone know why? I'm using RealTemp 3.4 to monitor temps. It has been this way for a while now, no matter how I have the hs/fan mounted. Thanks. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2638 - Release Date: 01/22/10 02:34:00
Re: [H] Cores with Different Temps at Idle?
Thanks for the reply, Duncan. I'm not exactly worried, but sort of wondering if my hs/fan is on correctly. If I open task manager, and look at the CPUs in "performance" I see no evidence that core 4 is the work horse. Usually, it is core 1 doing most of the work. Right now I can seem some rumbling among the core. None of them seem to be doing much as I type this, even though I have a bunch of windows open right now. I'll get a spike once I send this! :) On 1/22/2010 4:23 PM, DSinc wrote: Anthony, I only have C2D, but I always notice that one core runs "cooler" than the other. I chalk this up to I have a core in reserve for when some problem/program/etc. needs the 2d core. Believe this is nothing to worry about. JMHO. Perhaps your core 4 is the one that gets all the normal duties; the other 3 just float waiting to be called to duty. Duncan On 01/22/2010 15:37, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Are you folks sleeping or working? :) I notice on my Q9550 that core 4 always runs several degrees C higher than the other cores (right now they are 33, 33, 34, and 39 degrees C). Anyone know why? I'm using RealTemp 3.4 to monitor temps. It has been this way for a while now, no matter how I have the hs/fan mounted. Thanks. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2638 - Release Date: 01/22/10 02:34:00
Re: [H] Cores with Different Temps at Idle?
Anthony, I only have C2D, but I always notice that one core runs "cooler" than the other. I chalk this up to I have a core in reserve for when some problem/program/etc. needs the 2d core. Believe this is nothing to worry about. JMHO. Perhaps your core 4 is the one that gets all the normal duties; the other 3 just float waiting to be called to duty. Duncan On 01/22/2010 15:37, Anthony Q. Martin wrote: Are you folks sleeping or working? :) I notice on my Q9550 that core 4 always runs several degrees C higher than the other cores (right now they are 33, 33, 34, and 39 degrees C). Anyone know why? I'm using RealTemp 3.4 to monitor temps. It has been this way for a while now, no matter how I have the hs/fan mounted. Thanks.