Temperatures -- I'm confused...

[NiPNi]

I'm using Motherboard Monitor (5.1.0.4) for the first time in my life, and I've discovered something that just doesn't seem right.

MBM finds three temperature sensors (all temperatures are in degrees centigrade):
Via686A-1 (22 degrees)
Via686A-2 (25 degrees)
Via686A-3 (45 degrees) .

Now, the question is, where are these sensors located in my rig, and which is which? I found the following on this link:



<< If you are using a program like Motherboard monitor, it will label the sensors Via686A-1, Via686A-2, Via686A-3. The first is the internal bandgap, the second is the CPU sensor (using a thermometer to monitor the ACTUAL temperature, there is approx., an 18-22 discrepancy between the reading and actual temp), and the third is the case temp. >>



(what's internal bandgap, anyway?)

If this is right, then my CPU temp is 25 degrees, while the case temp is 45 degrees (both temps are read after an hour with 100% CPU utilization, and both have been stable during that time). That doesn't sound right to me...

My motherboard is an Abit KT7-RAID, while the quote is from an Epox EP-7KXA page, so the mapping of the sensors might not be the same, but it's the only information I've found regarding Via686A-1, 2 and 3. Also, when I use the Via Hardware Monitor that was shipped with my motherboard, it shows 41 degrees system temp and 22 degrees CPU temp, which I have until right now assumed an error in the program. Now I'm not so sure...

Conclusion: I am really, REALLY confused Can someone please tell me where Via686A-1, 2 and 3 are located on an Abit KT7-RAID in an AOpen HX08 case? And if the temp readings are correct, how on earth can the system temp be 20 degrees above the CPU temp and stay that way for so long? Isn't that impossible?

 

[SWScorch]

I'm willing to bet that the first one is the motherboard temp and is probably located somewhere amongst the PCI slots. The second one may be the power supply temperature. The last one is without a doubt your CPU temp. Sounds like both of the programs are confused.

 

[Jen]

<< I'm willing to bet that the first one is the motherboard temp and is probably located somewhere amongst the PCI slots. The second one may be the power supply temperature. The last one is without a doubt your CPU temp. Sounds like both of the programs are confused. >>



this sounds about right to me...........


Jen

 

[NiPNi]

Yeah, it is the only logical explanation. But the air inside the case and the air coming out of the PSU is definitely a lot hotter than 22 or 25 degrees. I'd say 40-50 degrees would be more correct.

I guess what I've learned here is that the temp readings from the sensors on the motherboard don't really tell me much at all... But thanks for clearing things up

Edit: typo

 

[SWScorch]

<< Yeah, it is the only logical explanation. But the air inside the case and the air coming out of the PSU is definitely a lot hotter than 22 or 25 degrees. I'd say 40-50 degrees would be more correct.

I guess what I've learned here is that the temp readings from the sensors on the motherboard don't really tell me much at all... But thanks for clearing things up

Edit: typo >>



Well, remember that those are in celsius. If the air in your case 40-50 C, then that would be over 100 F. 22 C is 72 F, which shoulds be right if your room temp is around 70.

 

[jhites]

The higher third temp should be the PS temp. You will notice that it changes temps from 2C to maybe 50C.

Here is another thread that had similar questions

Sandra shows the same three temps but the Mobo BIOS only has two readings.

 

[Trip2way]

Hmmm...something still isn't right with this theroy on a PS temp.
I have a Abit KT7A-Raid running a AMD T-Bird 1.4.
Bios shows three temps so does MBM5 as well as sandra.
I am going to say that the first temp (being the lowest) is the case temp.
The second being the temp on the MB.
And last but not least the third temp is the CPU temp.

Currently the temps are 25, 34, 58....as reported by MBM5.
These reflect an average and are in line with my setup.
Keep in mind that the temp readings you get from MB's and other utilitys are not exact.

Ambient room temp is about 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25.5 C)

Brent

(the HSF is oe retail)

 

[cookieman]

Hi!

Do not mix the Epox with Abit. Different sensor maps different temps.
Your temps are very similar to my temps.

I have the same board as you (well except the raid part) and the sensor 2 maps MB temp, sensor 3 to CPU temp but sensor 1 is a
mistery for me. I can only guess that it is the temp measured when the system has booted and it is used as reference in calibrating the
other 2 temps.
I think this because as you will notice that temp do not change while the PC is running (no matter how hot it gets in the
case), but if you boot whit the ambient temp lower (open your window and see) then this sensor reads lower too.
It has nothing to do with the temp of PSU, it cannot read it in any way.

Sensor 3 it is CPU temp (just watch when it cicles from idle->full load). If it were PSU temp it would be pretty constant....

I think that you can use sensor 1 as a ambient temp reading (+-2C). I checked mine and seems pretty accurate as an ambient temp
reader.

Cheers,

 

[Hani]

I don't think there's a thing such as "Motherboard Temp". This temperature sensor usually sticks out from the mobo, and measure the temp of the surrounding air. The higher temp is obviously the CPU temp. Keep in mind that some motherboards have "ghost" sensors, they basically do nothing and report the same number always. On my Epox 8K7A (R.I.P) the 2nd sensor was the CPU's, the third was the case's, and the first always shows the same number. Ofcourse, as said before the sensors are different from a mobo to another, but this was just a thing to keep in mind...

 

[Trip2way]

Just to clarify things...

1st sensor is measuring air temp inside the case (not on a chip or something; just on the MB pcb)
2nd sensor is the temp of the chipset itself. (southbridge)
3rd temp is the CPU.