P4 processor can't burn out?

Econoline · May 1, 2003, 01:03 AM

Is it true that all Pentium 4 processors won't burn out when overclocked because of a sensor that slows down the clock speed of the processor when there is too much heat?

May 1, 2003, 01:57 AM

i have never before heard that. so i would say NO!!!! but it may be true. very doubtful though

dannyai · May 1, 2003, 02:00 AM

yeah that clock throttling is mainly true it is IMPOSSible to blow up in standard clock rates but if u overclock it will still be able to burn out.

ToshiroOC · May 1, 2003, 02:00 AM

I don't know about Willamette processors, but I know that Northwood processors have a sensor that prevents heat damage to the processor in case the heatsink comes off. It won't protect against higher voltages or unreasonable overclocking, though, as far as I can tell.

edperks · May 1, 2003, 02:08 AM

They have something like you mentioned but not exactly I think you can still burn it up if you try hard enough. Here is some info on Temperature sensor

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All Intel processors starting from Pentium Pro have a temperature sensor and an analog comparison circuit meant for detecting catastrophic overheating. This sensor, like a thermal diode, is a diode-connected transistor but now based on a reverse-biased p-n junction and a dependence of the junction reverse current on temperature. Diode's current is measured with a comparator with a reference source current which is adjusted so that the comparator would react on a definite temperature value. A response time of such circuit is just several hundreds nanoseconds, that is why it can be found out quickly if a temperature exceeds the limits. As a result, if a temperature of an Intel CPU is more than 125-135°C, this comparison circuit stops sending clocks to all processor nodes, the THERMTRIP# signal reports on catastrophic overheating and the processor VRM turns off.

The engineers working on the Pentium 4 decided to make such circuit more flexible and developed the Thermal Monitor technology. The thermal sensor, thus, moved to the most heat-loaded region of rapid integer ALUs of the Pentium 4 and got an additional comparison circuit and necessary logic. This resulted in a one more die's temperature threshold (85-90°C depending on a processor model), Thermal Control Circuit and several new MSR registers.

When the die temperature exceeds the threshold value the processor doesn't get turned off, but from time to time the clock signal stops, i.e. a duty cycle takes place.

The Thermal Monitor has two modes: Automatic and On-Demand. The automatic mode can be activated in the BIOS and in case of overheating a clock modulation block slows down the processor by 50% (i.e. time of the duty cycle and of the normal cycle is the same). The on-demand mode can be enabled any time depending on thermal conditions with the immediate activation of the clock modulation unit. In this mode it is possible to vary a duty cycle from 12.5% to 87.5%. When activated, this block asserts PROCHOT# signal. It is also possible to generate a processor interrupt on front/edge, PROCHOT# (this signal is also accessible for internal processor blocks) which can be easily used by BIOS or software developers.

As you can see, the Thermal Monitor is an accurate, prompt (delay in case of the Pentium 4 is only several tens of nanoseconds) and efficient temperature control means. Of course, The Thermal Monitor doesn't depend on the system logic completely as the clock modulation unit must be activated in the BIOS or system software. But even if this feature is not enabled, there is catastrophic overheating protection and a good old thermal diode.

ptzs · May 1, 2003, 02:43 AM

They have what is called throtling. Above 70ºC they "slow down" so from heat only it's quite impossible to burn a P4 out.

ND_BiTE_ME · May 1, 2003, 05:12 AM

Never knew that, guess it don't matter much. Lots on intel motherboards can't be OC'ed and thats what I have.

Ninza · May 1, 2003, 06:57 AM

O snaps!!!!!!!!!

MoFoQ · May 2, 2003, 01:19 AM

go check out that infamous video on Tom's Hardware (www.tomshardware.com) where they took an Athlon Tbird, Athlon XP, P3, and a P4 and while it was on and running a Quake3 demo, they took off the heatsink. The athlons went up in smoke while the P3 crashed but didn't fry and the P4 just slowed down but didn't crash or fry

WyreTheWolf · May 2, 2003, 06:02 AM

SNDS - Sudden NorthwoodDeath Syndrome ... yes the P4 can die. However it is unlikely if you are not overclocking ... (or doing something stupid like dumping the 3.3 volt rail directly into the processor I/O)

edperks · May 2, 2003, 06:13 AM

AMD just needs to make a bigger DIE, so that the heat can disapate beter. other than that they have the winning CHIP. When I buy the next motherboard I will be buying the Barton core CPU board.

May 3, 2003, 03:15 AM

i tell you how to burn out a P4 for sure... take a blow torche and light... your mind can think of the rest

May 1, 2003, 01:03 AM	#1
Econoline DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: London, ON Posts: 11 Rep Power: 0	P4 processor can't burn out? Is it true that all Pentium 4 processors won't burn out when overclocked because of a sensor that slows down the clock speed of the processor when there is too much heat?

May 1, 2003, 02:00 AM	#4
ToshiroOC Unbiased. Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4,812 Rep Power: 0	I don't know about Willamette processors, but I know that Northwood processors have a sensor that prevents heat damage to the processor in case the heatsink comes off. It won't protect against higher voltages or unreasonable overclocking, though, as far as I can tell. __________________ [img][/img] [color=White]Peace be with you, Joe.[/color] Driverheaven Staff Member (Supermoderator)

May 1, 2003, 02:43 AM	#6
ptzs DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2003 Location: .pt Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0	They have what is called throtling. Above 70ºC they "slow down" so from heat only it's quite impossible to burn a P4 out. __________________ I'm not responsible for the above said.

May 1, 2003, 01:57 AM	#2
generalstupid Guest Posts: n/a	i have never before heard that. so i would say NO!!!! but it may be true. very doubtful though

May 1, 2003, 02:00 AM	#3
dannyai DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 14 Rep Power: 0	yeah that clock throttling is mainly true it is IMPOSSible to blow up in standard clock rates but if u overclock it will still be able to burn out.

May 1, 2003, 02:08 AM	#5
edperks HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 780 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	They have something like you mentioned but not exactly I think you can still burn it up if you try hard enough. Here is some info on Temperature sensor --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All Intel processors starting from Pentium Pro have a temperature sensor and an analog comparison circuit meant for detecting catastrophic overheating. This sensor, like a thermal diode, is a diode-connected transistor but now based on a reverse-biased p-n junction and a dependence of the junction reverse current on temperature. Diode's current is measured with a comparator with a reference source current which is adjusted so that the comparator would react on a definite temperature value. A response time of such circuit is just several hundreds nanoseconds, that is why it can be found out quickly if a temperature exceeds the limits. As a result, if a temperature of an Intel CPU is more than 125-135°C, this comparison circuit stops sending clocks to all processor nodes, the THERMTRIP# signal reports on catastrophic overheating and the processor VRM turns off. The engineers working on the Pentium 4 decided to make such circuit more flexible and developed the Thermal Monitor technology. The thermal sensor, thus, moved to the most heat-loaded region of rapid integer ALUs of the Pentium 4 and got an additional comparison circuit and necessary logic. This resulted in a one more die's temperature threshold (85-90°C depending on a processor model), Thermal Control Circuit and several new MSR registers. When the die temperature exceeds the threshold value the processor doesn't get turned off, but from time to time the clock signal stops, i.e. a duty cycle takes place. The Thermal Monitor has two modes: Automatic and On-Demand. The automatic mode can be activated in the BIOS and in case of overheating a clock modulation block slows down the processor by 50% (i.e. time of the duty cycle and of the normal cycle is the same). The on-demand mode can be enabled any time depending on thermal conditions with the immediate activation of the clock modulation unit. In this mode it is possible to vary a duty cycle from 12.5% to 87.5%. When activated, this block asserts PROCHOT# signal. It is also possible to generate a processor interrupt on front/edge, PROCHOT# (this signal is also accessible for internal processor blocks) which can be easily used by BIOS or software developers. As you can see, the Thermal Monitor is an accurate, prompt (delay in case of the Pentium 4 is only several tens of nanoseconds) and efficient temperature control means. Of course, The Thermal Monitor doesn't depend on the system logic completely as the clock modulation unit must be activated in the BIOS or system software. But even if this feature is not enabled, there is catastrophic overheating protection and a good old thermal diode.

May 1, 2003, 05:12 AM	#7
ND_BiTE_ME DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2003 Location: North Dakota, USA Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	Never knew that, guess it don't matter much. Lots on intel motherboards can't be OC'ed and thats what I have.

May 1, 2003, 06:57 AM	#8
Ninza DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	O snaps!!!!!!!!!

May 2, 2003, 01:19 AM	#9
MoFoQ DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	go check out that infamous video on Tom's Hardware (www.tomshardware.com) where they took an Athlon Tbird, Athlon XP, P3, and a P4 and while it was on and running a Quake3 demo, they took off the heatsink. The athlons went up in smoke while the P3 crashed but didn't fry and the P4 just slowed down but didn't crash or fry

May 2, 2003, 06:02 AM	#10
WyreTheWolf Wolfish Bastard Join Date: May 2002 Location: Cave; Ozark Mountains Posts: 2,110 Rep Power: 0	SNDS - Sudden NorthwoodDeath Syndrome ... yes the P4 can die. However it is unlikely if you are not overclocking ... (or doing something stupid like dumping the 3.3 volt rail directly into the processor I/O)

May 2, 2003, 06:13 AM	#11
edperks HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 780 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	AMD just needs to make a bigger DIE, so that the heat can disapate beter. other than that they have the winning CHIP. When I buy the next motherboard I will be buying the Barton core CPU board.

May 3, 2003, 03:15 AM	#12
generalstupid Guest Posts: n/a	i tell you how to burn out a P4 for sure... take a blow torche and light... your mind can think of the rest