It is possible that on occasion, especially in the summer, you may have noticed sudden FPS drops or computer freezes. Most likely, the problem lies in CPU temperature due to lack of maintenance. More precisely, these problems would be given by the CPU “Tjunction” parameterthat you need to know and understand.
The first thing you need to know is that processors have optimal operating temperature ranges. It is estimated that between 50 and 70 ºC, when we play, are correct and optimal operating temperatures. But, certain temperatures are programmed as “limits” to protect the processor and the system.
Decrypting the processor’s Tjunction parameter
Internally we have a “thermometer” in all processors. A small element is embedded in the encapsulation itself, which is nothing more th an a resistance that varies with temperature.
There limit temperature of any processor is called “Tjunction”. This parameter does not indicate the maximum temperature that the silicon can withstand before suffering damage, as is commonly said. This parameter what protected son welds of the DIE with the CPU PCB.
We may think it doesn’t make sense, but nothing could be further from the truth. Usually, processors, graphics cards and even RAM memory are broken precisely by these welds. said welds are made in tina rather delicate material which from 200ºC he returns “liquid”. There Tjunction processor set to 100°Cthere is a big difference, why?
Well, although tin only melts at 200°C, other effects occur before that. More specifically, we are talking about the heat expansion and contraction of this delicate material. This can generate micro cracks which, over time, can lead to breakage or degradation of this material, which occurs from 100 ºC. Come on, it’s a CPU protection mechanism against its weakest part, so to speak.
How they protect themselves from excessive temperatures
It must be said that the processor has an additional protection which makes it never reach the T junction. There is a limitation of 10% of the T junction which forces the processor to protect itself. When it exceeds 90 ºC, the processor will reduce frequencies to reduce the temperature and that is when performance issues come into play.
The normal thing is that these thermal problems appear, especially when we play. If the processor reduces its frequency, we will have a noticeable drop in performance. This can cause sudden FPS drops, game freezes, and even crashes as a protective measure.
It is for this same reason that we must periodically clean our desktop computer. Also, periodically (once a year is optimal) we have to change the thermal paste. Two fairly simple processes that will protect our computer from damage or poor performance.
You now know better what Tjunction is, how it affects performance, and how to prevent it from happening. And remember, this doesn’t protect the silicon so much as it protects the solders that are in all processors.