m4400 Precision cpu temperature question

I need some advice...

Here's the background...
I recently received a new m4400 (with a T9400)and had a problem with one of the cpu cores running 6-8 degrees hotter at idle (not under load). When I told this to Dell technical support, they reordered me a new notebook.

Here's the problem...
I received my new replacement notebook. Although the cpu cores are now the exact same temperature at idle, once I start running some programs (simulation games, etc.), one of the cpu cores runs 7-8 degrees consistantly hotter than the other one. If I stop playing these games, both cores return to the exact same temperature.

Just for comparison purposes, I ran the same games on another dual core notebook and both cores stayed consistant in temperature to one another whether under load or at idle.

Has anyone tried the same temperature test on your cpu under load? Is it normal in the m4400 to have one core run consistantly hotter (under load) than the other core due perhaps to a poor cooling design within the notebook? Or do I possibly have a defective cpu or notebook?

Should I be worried about this?

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Best regards.

 

what are u using to measure temps/?

 

I'm using HWMonitor.

 

I don't think it's unusual for one core to be warmer than the other. I'm pretty sure this is regularly the case for E2140 in my desktop and for the P8400 in my E6400.

Most of the times programs are only going to be loading one of the two cores, so they don't heat up at the same rate. Even at idle, you've just got some background processes running on one core, and none on the other.

Furthermore, just like how individual processors aren't exactly the same, individual cores may be slightly different as well; slight manufacturing inconsistencies, and the like might lead one core to have slightly different thermal properties than the other.

 

Thanks for the info. I can stop worrying now.