Most accurate CPU temp software

So I'm highly confused at the moment. I've always used SpeedFan. But with my latest rig (Core i5 2500K, ASUS P8Z68-V/Gen 3) I'm doubting its accuracy. Basically, it was reporting CPU temps at well over 70 C with the stock cooler while running games. I thought, holy crap, I need a new cooler so I bought a CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Evo. Temps remained mostly the same (or so it appeared). Reapplied the thermal paste 3 times. I checked the BIOS CPU temp after letting run up to over 70 C and it was showing a mere 30 C.

Now I thought, there's no way it could cool that fast so I started getting suspicious. I tried out CoreTemp, RealTemp, and HWMonitor. I ran all side by side, but only HWMonitor and SpeedFan report overall CPU temps. There was a 30 degree discrepancy though. While testing it with BF:BC2 Single player, SpeedFan was reporting 70+ while HWMonitor was only reporting around 40-45. All 3 of the newcomers to my PC reported similar core temps too with SpeedFan being the only one different. It's core temp reports were at least close though and not a 30 degree difference.

Thing is, at idle, there seems to be far less of a discrepancy. HWMonitor reports 34 CPU overall while SpeedFan is reporting 42 CPU overall.

So, is SpeedFan just not accurate with Sandy Bridge, or just flat not accurate at all?

I've not tried SpeedFan, but I've been using HWMonitor since I built my PC and it works great. I have no reason to doubt its temps since they are all within the reported/recommended range.

at stock.....

Idle temps are between 28-33 degrees, load temps are about 55 degree's under Prime95

and with 4.5GHz OC....

Idle temps are between 30-33 degrees, and load temps are up to about 66 degree's under Prime95.

EDIT: Have you checked if SpeedFan is reporting temps in Fahrenheit? rather than Degree's Celsius? This could explain the different numbers.

Get rid of Speedfan before it messes up everything... that's one application that is the least reliable for anything..... IMO.

I agree with davcon. use coretemp and realtemp and find where the median values are. That is most accurate.

I also experienced discrepancies using SpeedFan. SF reported CPU @ 180F, GPU @ 104F.

AI Suite/Probe II reported CPU @ 82F & EVGA Precision tool reported GPU @ 104F.

Core Temp reports CPU @ 82F.

Real Temp reports CPU @ 82F.


I have an i-5 2400, and I have the same CPU cooler that you do. SF is certainly not accurate for CPU temps.