CPU Core temperature vs. CPU Case Temperature

[ZeekAncient]

Ok, so I have a Phenom II x6 1100t and I am a little confused about what I should be looking at regarding temps...

So ive read that the TJ Max or max CPU temp of the 1100t is 62C and I thought this was referring to the Core temp but Im not so sure...

Currently I have CoreTemp open and my idle temps are currently around 28-29C, I also have AMD Overdrive open and its reflecting the same core temps around 29C, but lists actually CPU temp as 36-37C...also CoreTemp lists TJ max for my CPU at 70C, but I thought this was false and have used 62C as my guidline...

Now I have my CPU overclocked slightly and run Prime95 torture test over an hour and CoreTemp lists temps settling around 58-59C, still below 62C, but I assume that Case(CPU) Temp is well over 62, but I have no instablility or warnings or downclocking and everything runs fine..ofcourse during gaming it never gets this high, Ive only seen around 52C in CoreTemp as the highest during heavy sessions and everything still runs fine but usually in the 45-50C range(CoreTemp), and ofcourse I am basing everything on core temp and not case temp...

so my questions are this, if 62c is the max for a Phenom II, is that core temp, or case temp, and what is TJ Max, core or case? and when ocing should I pay attention to core or case more? and judging by my temps, are these too high? I am still using stock heatsink and am getting a new one soon, but I don't want to ruin my CPU till then....basically if core temp is below 62C, is the CPU case temp able to go higher then 62, I mean Im sure it has but Ive had no problems?

thank you and any advice is appreciated, Ive found very conflicting opinions on this topic

[Vynn Tage]

if your under 70 C you have no need to worry, with water cooling even under prime95 my i5 2500k sits at 50 C.
Up to 90C you should be ok, but i cap it at 70C to be safe.

If you are overclocking stress test with prime95 to see if you cooler can hold the temp at a steady level, if not i would recommend getting a water cooler for it, they will run you about $50-$100 depending on which model you get (single or double fan width).

I would say you are ok temperature wise.

[ZeekAncient]

Yeah it seems to be fine now, but I am about to get the Cooler Master 212 Evo, so that should help..but I was thinking water cooler too for a bit more...maybe something like a Corsair H50, or maybe H80, does that fit in a Cooler Master HAF 912?

btw, I have an AMD Phenom II x6 1100t, which is different architecture than the 2500k, it can't go even close to as high as the 2500k, but from what I see I think my temps are safe but Im confused on the whole core temp vs. cpu case temp thing...

thank you very much for the response tho...

[Vynn Tage]

I think the case temp is a sensore on the motherboard or the case that is placed on the cpu. I had one case with that, but it might not be the case in your situation. For a water cooler I use the antec water kuhler 620, it will fit in any case with a full size 120mm fan slot and has an adapter bracket for either amd or intel sockets. it fits in almost any case (just need a 120mm fan slot)

I listed my i5 temp cuz before i hit 90 C with the stock cooler, with the water cooler i listed it stays at 50 C now.

[ZeekAncient]

Oh I see, yea I will check into that water cooler, and yes I have a full size 120mm fan slot...my case is a CM HAF 912, it is only mid tower(full atx), but appears to have plenty of room and is very wide, so I think most heatsinks will fit, I think...

thanks again for the advice...btw if it was getting too hot, my computer should have warnings, or downclock, or just shut off right? I mean, it never has...

[Vynn Tage]

most computers shut down around 70-80C. you should be fine. gpu's get up to 110C and higher.

[ZeekAncient]

Oh i know, GPUs can get real hot, my GTX 570 used to get into the low-mid 80s with stock fan profile, then I changed it to 1c=1% fan(40% min 90% max) and now the temps are usually in the 60s, sometimes low 70s during games that are at 100% GPU usage constantly(BF3, Metro, etc.), idle low 30sC

MW3 or games not that demanding, vsync on(60fpscap) GPU usage is really low and temps are like in the 50s, ofcourse vsync off and GPU usage goes right up there, but no need when it can stay at 60fps constantly with vsync...

but even at 85c I think my 570 would have been fine and quieter, but I prefer a little louder and cooler..

thanks again