So, I have a shiny new liquid-cooled machine, based around a (pseudo!)quad core Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 (3.67Ghz factory overclocked, 1333MHz FSB, 12MB cache).

My question is... what would you expect the operating temperature range to be, measured per-core? Using a variety of tools, it seems each of my cores are running at >100c when multi-boxing.

I've had a good Google, and even looked at the Intel thermal characteristics datasheet for the chip, and so far as I can tell that's WAY too hot, although everybody seems to report higher than normal temperatures and a wide spread of temperatures at idle (which I also see... between 50 and 70 at complete idle with SpeedStep disabled).

The system is stable. The cooling pump is operating at 100% according to the provided monitoring software. The radiator leading to the ceramic cooling block is clear. There's plenty of space all around the machine.

Under this sort of load, the huge array of fans in the box are operating at between 100% (CPU front), 65% (CPU rear) and 40% (jet turbine-like fan at the front). The other fans are all operating at less than 50%.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts / suggestions.