Starting with Core i7, Intel writes TJMax information into each processor. Intel actually calls this information TJ Target and actual TJMax can be a few degrees different from that number, typically higher. TJMax is not an exact science so reported temperatures will never be exact.
The Core i7 C0 sensors are far better than the previous 45nm Core 2 sensors. They don't seem to have much slope error and TJMax might be off by a couple of degrees but nothing major.
If you don't think that Core Temp is reading the TJMax information correctly then you could try RealTemp.
http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/3/...alTempBeta.zip
You could also use a program like
MSR Tool to read the model specific register 0x1A2 bits[23:16] where Core i7 stores the TJ Target information.
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/4218/corei7msr.png
My Q6600 doesn't show anything here but a C0 Core i7 should show 64 in these two digits because 64 hex = 100 decimal which is TJMax for all the early Core i7 that I have seen.
If 5C is in that location then Core Temp is right; TJ Target is 0x5C = 92.
I don't think that Intel would deliberately low ball TJ Target so software automatically reports lower temperatures.
PcCI2iminal: If you have time can you try running one of the above programs to clear this up. Thanks for sharing your new toy with us. :up: