Core 7 265 temperature spikes and current relation building Intel Linux kernel

[Debugging]

Config:

Intel 265 

ASrock-rack W880D4U 

Ubuntu 25.04

Kernel build: 6.17.x

4 x 32G DDR5

3 x 8 pin DC 12V power cables from PSU to Board (each max. 336W)

Question:

CPU temp idle is 40-45C for all cores.

Linux build with -j16 (using 16 cores) 

During build CPU caries between 67-76C for all 20 cores

At, 100% reproduceable,  points in the build the temp shoots to 80-85C (any kernel version) for a few seconds  with a inferior cooler these peak reach  104C   ("watch sensors" command)

Intel docs. state that peak current can be 34A for 265. (few millseconds)  ( )

Points are when build reaches: AR  or deb-pkg.

Question s:

1. is there a relation between such peaks and the temperature ?

2. Is there any way to monitor the power consumption of the CPU in real-time ?

[JohnM_Intel]

Hello Debugging,

Thank you for raising this concern through the Intel Community.

To address your questions clearly, I’ve listed the answers below to cover all your concerns regarding CPU temperatures during Linux builds.

1. Is there a relation between such peaks and the temperature?

Yes. Quick spikes in workload such as during the AR step or when building a deb package cause the CPU to draw sudden bursts of power. This leads to a rapid increase in temperature.

Even though these spikes last only a few milliseconds, they are enough to momentarily push temperatures to 80–85°C. With a weaker or lower-capacity cooler, these short bursts can drive temperatures toward 100°C, simply because the cooler cannot dissipate the heat quickly enough. This behavior is expected during heavy, bursty workloads.

2. Is there any way to monitor the CPU’s real-time power consumption?

Yes, you can monitor real-time power draw on Linux, but this usually requires third-party tools. Common options include:

• turbostat (from linux-tools)
• powerstat
• powertop
• stress-ng (for stress testing and observing power behavior)

These tools allow you to track power consumption, frequency changes, and thermal responses in real time.

3. CPU temperature behavior

Idle temperatures of 40–45°C are completely normal.

Under heavy load, brief temperature peaks reaching 100°C or slightly above can also be normal, as Intel CPUs are designed to tolerate these short bursts safely.

As long as you are not experiencing thermal throttling, shutdowns, or performance degradation, these momentary spikes are generally not a cause for concern.

I hope this helps clarify your questions. If you need further assistance or additional explanation, please feel free to reply back. I’ll be happy to help.

Regards,

John M.

Intel Customer Support Technician