PE R210 - Very high CPU temperature after the CPU upgrade/replace

Question

Hi there, I was looking for a low TPD CPU to go in my Dell R210, so replaced the stock i3-540 with a Xeon L3426 @1.87GHz and ever since I'm seeing a very high CPU temperature:[2.3.3-RELEASE][/root]: sysctl -a|grep 'dev.cpu.*.temperature'dev.cpu.3.temperature: 68.0Cdev.cpu.2.temperature: 66.0Cdev.cpu.1.temperature: 67.0Cdev.cpu.0.temperature: 65.0Cand goes up to even 78°C, which is unreasonably high to me for a  1.87GHz CPU. Also in the dmesg, there are reported during every boot:[2.3.3-RELEASE][/root]: dmesg|grep -i tempcoretemp0: on cpu0 coretemp0: Tj(target) value 69 does not seem right.coretemp1: on cpu1 coretemp1: Tj(target) value 69 does not seem right.coretemp2: on cpu2 coretemp2: Tj(target) value 69 does not seem right.coretemp3: on cpu3 coretemp3: Tj(target) value 69 does not seem right.With 3.06GHz i3, it was mostly 44°C - 47°C, in average. With ipmitoolmost of the temp. readings are coming as Disabled but Ambient Temp is only 13C: [2.3.3-RELEASE][/root]: ipmitool sdr elist|grep -i temp Temp             | 01h | ns  |  3.1 | Disabled Ambient Temp     | 0Eh | ok  |  7.1 | 13 degrees C Planar Temp      | 0Fh | ns  |  7.1 | Disabled CPU Temp Interf  | 76h | ns  |  7.1 | Disabled Mem Overtemp     | 20h | ok  | 34.1 | Correctable ECC Temp             | 0Ah | ns  |  8.1 | Disabled Do you think the sensors are not properly working? Or is it because of 32nm vs. 45nm lithography, as 45nm tends to generate more heat? Power consumption is also a bit high to me for a 45 TPD CPU. Or i was better off with i3-540? The whole practice was to minimize power consumption  Can anyone help?-San

DELL-Josh Cr · Answer

Hi, I would check to make sure that the CPU cooler is attached properly. Was the CPU purchased from us and use the thermal grease? Are these temperatures while the CPU is under load or at idle?

SantanuDas · Answer

CPU cooler crossed my mind as well. R210 has a screw type CPU cooler, is there any chance to going it wrong when 4 screws are properly tightened - just wondering? Arctic Silver thermal paste was applied. The CPU was bought aftermarket. It's pretty much constantly like 68C to 72C and mostly idle or under normal load.

-S

DELL-Josh Cr · Answer

From what I have been able to find those temps are on the high side. Are all the system fans spinning? Is the air flow sticker pointing towards the rear of the system?

SantanuDas · Answer

Hi Josh,

System fans are all right and the cooler is fitted correctly as well. But I think I found something: TJMax value is showing as 100C:

# sysctl -a | grep -i tjmax
dev.cpu.3.coretemp.tjmax: 100.0C
dev.cpu.2.coretemp.tjmax: 100.0C
dev.cpu.1.coretemp.tjmax: 100.0C
dev.cpu.0.coretemp.tjmax: 100.0C

Shouldn't it be around 70°C for Xeon? The CPU/Cooler doesn't feel that hot at all if I touch it.

Since the "TempC = TJmax - sensor_value" it's sort of matching with what's the value I"m seeing i.e. 30C more than what it should be. So, do you think the value is not configured/set properly? Since the stock CPU was an i3, is there anything else to do in the BIOS etc. when I replaced that with a Xeon? Anyidea how do get it corrected?

-San

SantanuDas · Answer

Any further help from anyone? Really need to get to the bottom of it. If I replace the CPU with stock i3 one, the temp drops down to 42°C straight away.  Something needs to set/reset in the BIOS? -S

SantanuDas · Answer

Hi there, I'm desperately seeking some help on this issue. I couldn't find any pointer in any the docs that I could source online. Is anyone out here can ans. to my Tjmax value questions pls? -San

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