I know the max for the XP2200 is 85C (Which I'm assume is an on die temp) and I obviously don't want to get close to that, but when ever people refer to temps they never differentiate between CPU temp and CPU die temp, so what is an acceptable temp to run at idle and under load, and are you refering to the on die temp or the more common outer CPU temp. (and I don't mean case temp by outer CPU temp)

The only way I can see the on die temp is on the post screen at start up or from my bios. The outer CPU temp is also listed in the bios, but I have a windows program from soyo that tells me the case temp, CPU temp, voltages, and fan speeds as well.

I have noticed that the on die temp is usually about 8-10 degrees above the other listed CPU temp and the desprecincey grows as the temps rise.

I have the XP2200 OCed to the max stability point and it runs 39-40C at idle and 48-49C under max stress load. This temp is from the windows program that just lists CPU temp. I'm sure if I looked at the die temp it would of course be higher.

So when people talk about safe temp range am I looking at the right temp reference for safe temp range?

Soyo SY-KT400 Dragon
Ultra X-Connect 500W
2200+@1.96 11x177@1.825v
Zalman 7000B
1GB512x2PC2700 2-3-3-7
Radeon 8500 128MB
Hauppauge PVR150x2
SB Audigy
XP MCE 2005 sp2

Soyo SY-KT400 Dragon
Ultra X-Connect 500W
2200+@1.96 11x177@1.825v
Zalman 7000B
1GB512x2PC2700 2-3-3-7
Radeon 8500 128MB
Hauppauge PVR150x2
SB Audigy
XP MCE 2005 sp2

You're correct about the temp readings. The die temp is the important one. Some boards report CPU temp which is from a sensor under the CPU, sometimes called "socket temp", some report the actual die temp, & some report both. My Asus board comes with a hardware monitoring utility called Asus Probe...right now, it reports my CPU temp as 29C with a system temp of 21C (it's a cool day today). If I were to check the BIOS, the system temp would be the same, but the CPU temp might be as much as 15-20C higher. Actually, I just check Everest & it reports the CPU & system the same as Probe, but the CPU diode temp is reported as 47C.

You could give Everst Home Edition a try. I also have a SOYO KT600 system that didn't come with a monitoring utility. I checked the SOYO website & although they offer a program for most of their boards, the KT600 isn't supported. I tried it anyway & the temps were way outta whack. I tried Everest on that system & the system & CPU temps seem correct, but the diode temp jumps all over the place...from 0C to 112C...LOL! I can only assume they used bad sensors on the KT600? A BIOS update didn't correct the readings either. The system runs good though & I do check the BIOS occasionally...the temps are always good, so I'm not concerned.

You could try another software monitor such as MBM5 or Speedfan, as well as Everest. Hopefully one of them will work for you (they didn't for my KT600)

http://www.lavalys.com/products/download.php?pid=1&lang=en&pageid=3

http://mbm.livewiredev.com/

http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

Asus A7N8X-X
1800+ @ 8.5 x 200MHz
768MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7
Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB
WinME/WinXP Pro