Ambient temperatures?

[known12345]

Ive heard that noting ambient temperatures is important when noting any pc component temp because pc temps can change drastically from place to place. Since this is the case, how exactly do you measure ambient temperatures? I mean can someone please name a few ambient temperatures monitors that they use as a reference when documenting cpu temps/gpu temps/etc? Are there particular ambient temp monitors that people use when they report pc component temps in general?

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: known12345
Ive heard that noting ambient temperatures is important when noting any pc component temp because pc temps can change drastically from place to place. Since this is the case, how exactly do you measure ambient temperatures? I mean can someone please name a few ambient temperatures monitors that they use as a reference when documenting cpu temps/gpu temps/etc? Are there particular ambient temp monitors that people use when they report pc component temps in general?

I usually go by the thermostat about 5 feet from my computer but, any aftermarket temperature probe left suspended in the case would give you an ambient air measurement.

 

[imported_wonderwrench]

I measure ambient temp using a digital thermometer with a claimed accuracy of +- 1C positioned close to an intake fan on my computer case. You can use any thermometer that you know is accurate. It does little good to compare other peoples reported temps to your own because there are too many variables not accounted for. Software reported temps can be off by 15C or more. So temp correction should be made so reported temps are as accurate as possible. Case cooling has a huge affect on all reported temps so reports should have all case covers removed and all fans at 100%. To be able to compare results everyone needs to use a common method. See this post for more thoughts on this subject. http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/256173.aspx

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: known12345
Ive heard that noting ambient temperatures is important when noting any pc component temp because pc temps can change drastically from place to place. Since this is the case, how exactly do you measure ambient temperatures? I mean can someone please name a few ambient temperatures monitors that they use as a reference when documenting cpu temps/gpu temps/etc? Are there particular ambient temp monitors that people use when they report pc component temps in general?

ambient temps refers to temps at which air is entering the cooling system.

The reason why it plays a hugh role is because it dictates on most occasion the bottom flat point on which your components can be at, unless your on sub ambient cooling.

IE. if ambient taken was 23C and someone comes with a picture of 18C. He is either from a universe far far away... or he's mixed in the head on his ambients or his hardware is broken and its giving false temp readings.

And as someoen noted, you can use digital thermo's like this:
http://www.jab-tech.com/LCD-Di...Backlight-pr-2641.html

attached to the front of your sink to take an ambient messurement.

I have 2, one on each radiator loop taking water messurements, and another 2 on my radiator intake taking ambient messurements. Kinda important when you tune a water system so you dont over power and under power it.

 

[WoodButcher]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
I usually go by the thermostat about 5 feet from my computer but, any aftermarket temperature probe left suspended in the case would give you an ambient air measurement.

The wall thermostat or thermometer, I would bet that the large majority do this, including me. On my commando mobo I have 3 temp probe inputs, I have one hanging outside my intake fan and one inside the case. Ambient is the cooler outside air or room temp. Not many PC's come w/ temp probes so I'm sure most of the real world will use the household thermometer.
Depending on your level of "enthusiasm" (interesting word) would determine how important to you accuracy is. WonderWrench makes many valid points as to comparing cpu-a to cpu-b, the two computers being miles apart with different people operating them being able to compare the two.
Aigo's example

Originally posted by: aigomorla
I have 2, one on each radiator loop taking water measurements, and another 2 on my radiator intake taking ambient messurements. Kinda important when you tune a water system so you dont over or under power it.

on the other hand is comparing temps on either side of a radiator so he can measure the performance of his work. This does not require an accurate measurement but simply a consistant one. (knowing Aigo it's +or - .1c)

known12345 and WonderWrench, Welcome to AT btw, WW it looks as if your making contributions already. I hope your bringing a little more than CompuTronix did though, apparently he left in a huff.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: WoodButcher

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
I usually go by the thermostat about 5 feet from my computer but, any aftermarket temperature probe left suspended in the case would give you an ambient air measurement.

The wall thermostat or thermometer, I would bet that the large majority do this, including me. On my commando mobo I have 3 temp probe inputs, I have one hanging outside my intake fan and one inside the case. Ambient is the cooler outside air or room temp. Not many PC's come w/ temp probes so I'm sure most of the real world will use the household thermometer.
Depending on your level of "enthusiasm" (interesting word) would determine how important to you accuracy is. WonderWrench makes many valid points as to comparing cpu-a to cpu-b, the two computers being miles apart with different people operating them being able to compare the two.
Aigo's example

Originally posted by: aigomorla
I have 2, one on each radiator loop taking water measurements, and another 2 on my radiator intake taking ambient messurements. Kinda important when you tune a water system so you dont over or under power it.

on the other hand is comparing temps on either side of a radiator so he can measure the performance of his work. This does not require an accurate measurement but simply a consistant one. (knowing Aigo it's +or - .1c)

known12345 and WonderWrench, Welcome to AT btw, WW it looks as if your making contributions already. I hope your bringing a little more than CompuTronix did though, apparently he left in a huff.

I was using a Sunbeam Theta with 6 of it's possible 8 thermal probes to monitor temperatures and control fan speeds up until about two weeks ago when I got really bored of doing nothing while staying in bed for about 22 hours a day so I just tore it out and am using motherboard fan headers for two of my fans and constant 9v source on the other two and just not worrying about all the temperature probes. I had one on my chipset, one on my CPU, one in my power supply, one on my hard drive, one in my intake and one on my exhaust and while it was good to have them all for establishing a baseline and figuring out exactly where my fans liked to perform I really don't miss it.

 

[Bluefront]

Computer temperature reporting should always be accompanied by an ambient reading, as has been stated. Without such a reading, the reported temps mean very little. An accurate digital thermometer close to the computer intake is good enough, although room temperatures do vary quite a bit from floor to ceiling.

You want cooler intake air? Put the intake as close to the floor as possible. On all my setups, a rise in ambient temperature is almost always accompanied by comparable rise in the computer temperatures.

I too get a laugh when someone reports computer temperatures lower than ambient.....like he's using a refrigerator or something. :laugh:

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: Bluefront
Computer temperature reporting should always be accompanied by an ambient reading, as has been stated. Without such a reading, the reported temps mean very little. An accurate digital thermometer close to the computer intake is good enough, although room temperatures do vary quite a bit from floor to ceiling.

You want cooler intake air? Put the intake as close to the floor as possible. On all my setups, a rise in ambient temperature is almost always accompanied by comparable rise in the computer temperatures.

I too get a laugh when someone reports computer temperatures lower than ambient.....like he's using a refrigerator or something. :laugh:

or chilled liquid or a strong peltier or even phase change?? Thats when stuff gets fun!

 

[imported_wonderwrench]

Originally posted by: WoodButcher

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
I usually go by the thermostat about 5 feet from my computer but, any aftermarket temperature probe left suspended in the case would give you an ambient air measurement.

The wall thermostat or thermometer, I would bet that the large majority do this, including me. On my commando mobo I have 3 temp probe inputs, I have one hanging outside my intake fan and one inside the case. Ambient is the cooler outside air or room temp. Not many PC's come w/ temp probes so I'm sure most of the real world will use the household thermometer.
Depending on your level of "enthusiasm" (interesting word) would determine how important to you accuracy is. WonderWrench makes many valid points as to comparing cpu-a to cpu-b, the two computers being miles apart with different people operating them being able to compare the two.
Aigo's example

Originally posted by: aigomorla
I have 2, one on each radiator loop taking water measurements, and another 2 on my radiator intake taking ambient messurements. Kinda important when you tune a water system so you dont over or under power it.

on the other hand is comparing temps on either side of a radiator so he can measure the performance of his work. This does not require an accurate measurement but simply a consistant one. (knowing Aigo it's +or - .1c)

known12345 and WonderWrench, Welcome to AT btw, WW it looks as if your making contributions already. I hope your bringing a little more than CompuTronix did though, apparently he left in a huff.

Wow I wonder what happened to CompuTronix. He must have gotten a mean PM or something. I'll do my best. My biggest problem is I belong to about 30 forums and bounce from one to the next. So I can never seem to keep up.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: wonderwrench

Wow I wonder what happened to CompuTronix. He must have gotten a mean PM or something. I'll do my best. My biggest problem is I belong to about 30 forums and bounce from one to the next. So I can never seem to keep up.

LOL welcome..

Its very nice indeed when someone with experience joins the forums to contribute.

 

[Binky]

I use my girlfriend for ambient temperature measurements, although she has no log functionality.

Between 72F and 74F, she?s freezing. Above 74F but below 77F, she?s cold. Between 77F and 80F, she?s comfortable and will report that it?s ?not warm.? Above 80F, I don?t care what she says, it?s too hot in the house. I?m sure her accuracy will decrease as she gets older.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Binky
I use my girlfriend for ambient temperature measurements, although she has no log functionality.

Between 72F and 74F, she?s freezing. Above 74F but below 77F, she?s cold. Between 77F and 80F, she?s comfortable and will report that it?s ?not warm.? Above 80F, I don?t care what she says, it?s too hot in the house. I?m sure her accuracy will decrease as she gets older.

QFT!!! ROFL

my ex was the same way!

 

[WoodButcher]

Originally posted by: Binky
I use my girlfriend for ambient temperature measurements, although she has no log functionality.

Between 72F and 74F, she?s freezing. Above 74F but below 77F, she?s cold. Between 77F and 80F, she?s comfortable and will report that it?s ?not warm.? Above 80F, I don?t care what she says, it?s too hot in the house. I?m sure her accuracy will decrease as she gets older.

Can we trade? I need a newer model, the quarterly reports have increased to five minute intervals and it's getting on my nerves,,,,

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: Binky
I use my girlfriend for ambient temperature measurements, although she has no log functionality.

Between 72F and 74F, she?s freezing. Above 74F but below 77F, she?s cold. Between 77F and 80F, she?s comfortable and will report that it?s ?not warm.? Above 80F, I don?t care what she says, it?s too hot in the house. I?m sure her accuracy will decrease as she gets older.

Only problem with this method is that it's only good for 3 weeks a month....



(here's hoping none of the girls stop by C&C, not that we see them too often.)