Find out the Max Case Temperature and Max Power draw of your CPU

[The Coolest]

Download AMD64 TCaseMax v1.19.

I have to announce cancelation of this program in favour of Core Temp.
AMD64 TCaseMax only works on RevE chips. As Core Temp now supports all K8 chips, I added the code to it. So when you run the program it will show you your TCaseMax and TDP.
Core Temp

This is a new type of program, which checks AMD64 CPUs for their maximum rated case temp or TCaseMax and reports the TDP which corresponds to the processor in question.
On most AMD processors TCaseMax and TDP values are constant, and depend on CPU type and model, but on the E Revision chips, both this values and the default voltage are variable.
These are the chips that have variable values:
Athlon64 (Venice, San Diego)
Athlon64 FX (San Diego)
Athlon64 X2 (Manchester, Toledo)
All Rev E Opterons and Dual Core Opterons
What this all means is this: On 90nm manufacturing process, the power leakage of transistors on individual processors differs greatly, this is why AMD implemented TCaseMax. Each CPU has a different TDP rating, here's how it works:
A program reads the TCaseMax value off the CPU, then depending on the processor (CPU type like A64, Opteron;CPU Rating like 3500+, 146) it finds the processor's Thermal Profile (If you download the "AMD Opteron™ Processor Power and Thermal Data Sheet" and look at pages 10-11 you'll see the different thermal profiles). When the thermal profile is determined, the program finds the TDP rating that corresponds to the CPU's TCaseMax value.
So in a few words, the higher the TCaseMax, the higher the TDP of a processor will be (the transistor leakage is higher), so the processor will run hotter. Several people have reported that the Opterons rated at 71C TCaseMax were pretty hot. On the other side these processors will be able to reach higher clock speeds.
That is why we see that on average processors with higher TCaseMax can usually reach higher CPU speeds when overclocked.
Every CPU type (A64, FX, X2, Opteron, DC Opteron) has a different thermal profile, that is why you see that on an FX a TCaseMax rating can be "only" 57C and it'll overclock way better than an A64 with a 57C TCaseMax rating. That is because at 57C TCaseMax, an FX has a TDP of 77W while the A64 has a TDP of 44W.

If you want to post a screenshot press Alt+PrintScreen and paste it in paint and save in PNG (if you have WinXP or Win2003). Pictures do speak a 1k words Or at least click "Copy to clipboard" button and paste the text here.
*Note: The "Create stats file" button doesn't work yet, but it will work soon, where it'll create a file that you'll upload to a website and it'll add you to a DB of chips and there will be statistics of different CPUs.


What's new:

Version 1.19
Fixed a bug with program's GUI.
Fixed a potential problem with Opterons from big OEMs TDP/TCM not reported.

Version 1.18
Fixed a bug with reporting TDP on newer X2 4200+ CPUs.
Fixed a bug where CnQ was not supported and VCore field is empty, the field wouldn't be grayed out.

Version 1.17
Fixed a bug with incorrectly showing Dual Core FX PR number.
49C TCM chips will now be reported again, no "This CPU does not support TCaseMax feature." messages anymore.

Version 1.16
Fixed a bug with newer HE DC Opterons not showing the proper TDP.
Fixed a bug with the naming of HE and EE Opterons.

Version 1.15
49C TCaseMax is not used anymore, this means that for any CPU which returns 49C TCM (like the new Dual Core Opterons), the program will report "This CPU does not support TCaseMax feature."
Extended the 'D' Thermal Profile, as some chips using this profile have reported higher TCMs than the highest TCM specified in the profile.

Version 1.14
Serios bug fixed. Program would not show information about any processor that was an E revision CPU.

Version 1.13
Athlon 64 FX thermal profile fixed.

Version 1.12
Renamed to "AMD64 TCaseMax".
Added support for FX-60 and Dual Core CPUs with 1 core disabled.
Several bugs fixed.

Version 1.11
Several bugs fixed.

Version 1.10
Added TDP - Will now report the TDP (Thermal Design Power, or in other words the maximum power the CPU draws at stock speed/voltage)

Version 1.04
First version with all new AMD CPUs supported.

Regarding the stats... I decided to remove them as they are practically useless right now. I will hopefully put a up a page where you will be able to upload your results, and then compare your results to a database of other chips.

[Evil XP2400]

My S754 3700+ Newark doesnt support it....

[JfRsQ]

There you go *63C
ADA3200 DAA4BP
LBBLE 0515APAW

On air (AMD boxed cooler):
2750Mhz out of the box with ~1.40V
2850Mhz with ~1.43V
2950Mhz with ~1.55V (load temp >59C)

On water
mostly same as above with lower temp @load
SUperPi and prime stable ~2950Mhz ~1.53V @39C
I'm pushing it on 3000Mhz since a few days for daily usage @1.63V in hope it will become errors free after a few miles of burnin I can run 3Dmark at this speed and playing some games too, but it is borderline.
~3035Mhz @ 1.65V is SuperPi 1M achievable, but forget 3D or anything intensive, it's far from stable

Any voltage higher than 1.70V is resulting in windows hard-lock, no boot and other funnies and CPU temp is around 36C idle with this voltage. I think I can say that my chip is not scaling nicely with voltage. It needs about .20-.25V for his last 150Mhz And Im still far from that 63C hell, my VX are hotter than that I think.

[Vincentvega18]

fx-57 doesnt support.
edit: oops, forgot i put my 3500+ claw in yday, so ignore me.

[The Coolest]

My S754 3700+ Newark doesnt support it....

That is expected. Got the same problem with a Mobile Sempron. the maximum value the CPU can supply is 79C. If its rated higher than that, the field equals to 0 and the program assumes this feature is unsupported.

[Thorry]

What exactly does this value mean?

The CPU can physicly go up to 200 degrees without an trouble. The first things to fail are the soft metal connections used to connect the core to the PCB. The PCB itself can withstand temps up to 500 degrees without trouble, the core itself is baked at a much higher temp so that's not a problem. The soft metal connections are between 200 and 300 degrees.

We tested this some time ago using a couple of AXP's en P4's they all were fine @ 200 degrees but failed @ 250 degrees (only 1 survived, that was a Duron prolly because of the keramic PCB which deflected some of the heat). This was tested in an oven.

This is offcourse the max temp the CPU will survive, not the max temp on which it will run. We tested the max run temp to about 90-100 degrees, no CPU will run @ rated speed above 100 degrees. The Duron again did best by running stable for 30 mins @ 90-100 degrees.

All temps in C.

So I ask: What does this temp mean? The max rated temp of the case before the stock cooler cannot remove all the energy from the CPU (causing the temp to slowly rise) at rated RPM?

The explanation the max safe temp to run your CPU at seems a bit strange as most CPU's would not have a problem running at higher temps and there is no reason why it should fail. Also how is this determained? By testing?

As for my CPU:
CPU Information (CPU #1):
Standard CPUID: Family: F, Model: 4, Stepping: A
Extended CPUID: Family: F, Model: 4, Stepping: A
CPUID String: F4A
Processor APIC: 0
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (ClawHammer)
Revision: SH7-CG
Platform: Socket 754
Startup VCore: 1.500v
Function failed, can't show Maximum Case Temperature.
CPU does not support MaxTCase report.

Written by: Arthur Liberman.
Contact me at: Arthur_Liberman@hotmail.com

[JfRsQ]

I believe that the Max Case Temp might be somehow be related to overclockability

How? Higher max case Temp = Higher overclock or I've it wrong

[The Coolest]

How? Higher max case Temp = Higher overclock or I've it wrong

That's what I'm thinking... Just look at your chip. Other venices I've seen that were in the 55-59C range weren't anywhere near 3GHz. Is that speed 100% stable BTW?

[Petr]

What exactly does this value mean?

This is a maximum temperature of CPU's case, that is a temperature on it's Heat Spreader (nothing to do with case, power supply, HDDs ect.). It is specified as absolute maximum rating. AMD say the CPU is certified to work up to this temperature. When you have higher, it may produce errors, it may fail, burn, whatever. And you loose your warranty when you run higher.

This is no joke, look into datasheets.

[4rory]

Mine says,

CPU Information (CPU #1):
Standard CPUID: Family: F, Model: F, Stepping: 0
Extended CPUID: Family: F, Model: 2F, Stepping: 0
CPUID String: 20FF0
Processor APIC: 0
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (Venice)
Revision: DH8-E3
Platform: Socket 939
Startup VCore: 1.400v
Maximum Case Temperature = 61C

lbble 0515 apaw does 2.9ghz prime stable on air. 1.5vcore.

[TheMeatFrog]

0515 3200+ Apaw

[Pumbaa]

This's mine.

[The Coolest]

Sweet clock there TheMeatFrog!!!
Nice 1 Pumbaa!
Thanks guys for your input!

BTW, my next version will include CPU speed too, so it'll look a bit better .

[Petr]

This seems to me like there is a connection between TCaseMax and overclockability. Those of you having above 60 degrees also run at higher frequencies than average.

For new posts - could you also tell us how good overclocker your chip is? What frequency and voltage it can do, preferably stable one (and if you use extreme cooling).

[harpyboy]

here's mine.. looks quite low

CPU Information (CPU #1):
Standard CPUID: Family: F, Model: 7, Stepping: 1
Extended CPUID: Family: F, Model: 27, Stepping: 1
CPUID String: 20F71
Processor APIC: 0
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3700+ (San Diego)
Revision: SH8-E4
Platform: Socket 939
Startup VCore: 1.400v
Maximum Case Temperature = 55C

[turtle]

This seems to me like there is a connection between TCaseMax and overclockability. Those of you having above 60 degrees also run at higher frequencies than average.

For new posts - could you also tell us how good overclocker your chip is? What frequency and voltage it can do, preferably stable one (and if you use extreme cooling).

I agree, max intriguing. Brilliant idea to think of this, TC + P.

Now i'm freaking curious how that 3800+ (63c) manchester clocks, 63c is a damn high stable case temp. If this theory is true, that manchester should clock amazingly, just like JfRsQ 3200+.

Is there any correlation between these temps and the step revisions (e3,e4,e6?) or is it just random on each individual chip? Perhaps higher-rated chips are meant to have higher stable case temps...but if availability of low-end chips is low, higher-end chips are subsituted (ones that can use a higher case temp) and these are the ones that overclock well?

[k00lance]

59c for SD 4000+... Mine once ran at 80c for 3 hours

[Altima]

CPU Information (CPU #1):
Standard CPUID: Family: F, Model: F, Stepping: 0
Extended CPUID: Family: F, Model: 2F, Stepping: 0
CPUID String: 20FF0
Processor APIC: 0
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (Venice)
Revision: DH8-E3
Platform: Socket 939
Startup VCore: 1.400v
Maximum Case Temperature = 57C

Written by: Arthur Liberman.
Contact me at: Arthur_Liberman@hotmail.com

[r3w4]

CPU Information (CPU #1):
Standard CPUID: Family: F, Model: F, Stepping: 0
Extended CPUID: Family: F, Model: 1F, Stepping: 0
CPUID String: 10FF0
Processor APIC: 0
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (Winchester)
Revision: DH8-D0
Platform: Socket 939
Startup VCore: 1.400v
Maximum Case Temperature = 65C

CBBID/2.6ghz 1.6V

[Cranox]

CPU Information (CPU #1):
Standard CPUID: Family: F, Model: F, Stepping: 0
Extended CPUID: Family: F, Model: 2F, Stepping: 0
CPUID String: 20FF0
Processor APIC: 0
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3800+ (Venice)
Revision: DH8-E3
Platform: Socket 939
Startup VCore: 1.400v
Maximum Case Temperature = 57C

Written by: Arthur Liberman.
Contact me at: Arthur_Liberman@hotmail.com

[jinu117]

Another X2 3800+ 1.35v 63c. (actually make that 2 :P)

[chew*]

hmm mines a 3700+ sandy
maxTcase 57C

clocks poorly

[GenTarkin]

my new 3000+ 0517 APAW is rated at 59C maxTcase by this program.... not sure what the other week 17's are at.

[zoob]

CPU Information (CPU #1):
Standard CPUID: Family: F, Model: F, Stepping: 0
Extended CPUID: Family: F, Model: 2F, Stepping: 0
CPUID String: 20FF0
Processor APIC: 0
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (Venice)
Revision: DH8-E3
Platform: Socket 939
Startup VCore: 1.400v
Maximum Case Temperature = 59C

----

Runs 24 hr Prime stable, water cooled @ 2.7 GHz (9 x 300), 1.55 V (in BIOS, reads 1.504 V in CPU-Z)

[dogsx2]

CPU Information (CPU #1):
Standard CPUID: Family: F, Model: 7, Stepping: 1
Extended CPUID: Family: F, Model: 27, Stepping: 1
CPUID String: 20F71
Processor APIC: 0
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3700+ (San Diego)
Revision: SH8-E4
Platform: Socket 939
Startup VCore: 1.400v
Maximum Case Temperature = 57C

Written by: Arthur Liberman.
Contact me at: Arthur_Liberman@hotmail.com