In the world of Ubuntu, the sensors command is a valuable tool for monitoring system hardware. It provides real-time readings of the system’s temperature sensors, fan speeds, and voltage levels. However, understanding the output of this command can be a bit complex. In this article, we will delve into the sensors command, focusing on how to interpret the CPU temperature readings.
The output of the ‘sensors’ command on Ubuntu provides real-time readings of temperature sensors, fan speeds, and voltage levels. Understanding the CPU temperature readings can help monitor system health and performance.
The ‘sensors’ Command: An Overview
The sensors command is part of the lm-sensors package in Ubuntu. It provides real-time readings from the various sensors installed on your system. To use this command, you first need to install the lm-sensors package. You can do this by running the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt-get install lm-sensorsOnce installed, you can run the sensors command just by typing sensors in the terminal:
sensorsInterpreting the Output of the ‘sensors’ Command
The output of the sensors command can vary depending on your system’s hardware. However, there are some common elements that you’ll typically see:
acpitz-virtual-0
This is a virtual device that represents a temperature sensor near or on your CPU socket. The term “virtual” here means that these are not physical sensors but rather virtual representations of certain components or functions in your system.
coretemp-isa-0000
This is an ISA adapter that measures the temperature of specific CPU cores. The “isa” in coretemp-isa-0000 stands for “Industry Standard Architecture,” which is a standard interface used to connect hardware devices to the motherboard. In this case, it is used to interface with the CPU temperature sensors.
dell_smm-virtual-0
This is another virtual device that represents the CPU fan, which is managed by your system firmware. It also provides temperature readings for various components, such as the CPU and other parts.
Understanding CPU Temperature Readings
As for which temperature reading is the “real” temperature of the CPU, it can vary depending on the specific system and its configuration. Generally, the CPU sensor and motherboard sensor should be accurate or close to each other’s readings. However, it’s worth noting that some AMD CPUs have faulty onboard sensors that may conflict with the motherboard readings.
Conclusion
The sensors command is a powerful tool for monitoring the health of your system’s hardware. By understanding its output, you can keep a close eye on your CPU temperature and other critical metrics, helping you to maintain optimal system performance and longevity.
Remember, the sensors command is part of the lm-sensors package, which you can install using the sudo apt-get install lm-sensors command. Once installed, simply run sensors in the terminal to see real-time readings from your system’s sensors.
If you’re interested in learning more about the sensors command and how to use it, you can check out the lm-sensors documentation for more information.
To install the lm-sensors package on Ubuntu, open the terminal and run the following command: sudo apt-get install lm-sensors. You will need to enter your password to authenticate the installation. Once installed, you can use the sensors command to monitor your system’s hardware.
After installing the lm-sensors package, you can run the sensors command by simply typing sensors in the terminal and pressing enter. This will display the real-time readings from your system’s temperature sensors, fan speeds, and voltage levels.
The acpitz-virtual-0 sensor represents a virtual temperature sensor near or on the CPU socket. It provides temperature readings for the CPU or other components in your system. Keep in mind that it is a virtual representation and not a physical sensor.
The coretemp-isa-0000 sensor is an ISA adapter that measures the temperature of specific CPU cores. The "isa" stands for "Industry Standard Architecture," which is a standard interface used to connect hardware devices to the motherboard. In this case, it is used to interface with the CPU temperature sensors.
The dell_smm-virtual-0 sensor is another virtual device that represents the CPU fan, which is managed by your system firmware. It also provides temperature readings for various components, such as the CPU and other parts.
The "real" temperature of the CPU can vary depending on the specific system and its configuration. Generally, the CPU sensor and motherboard sensor should provide accurate or close readings to each other. However, it’s important to note that some AMD CPUs may have faulty onboard sensors that could conflict with the motherboard readings.
