Advice before I buy a mobile XP2500 or 2600?

[Darkhound]

Hey,

I'm upgrading my processor in a few days. At the moment I'm running an XP2100+ Palomino core with a Zalman CNPS6000AlCu running in Silent mode (1500rpm)

I'm thinking of getting an XP2500 Mobile (1.45v core) and overclocking it, I'd be happy just to get a 400FSB around 2.2Gig, nothing extreme like 2.4 or 2.5, with a core voltage of 1.75v or less, from 1833MHz (this seems to be the norm for this processor).

What I would like to know is, do you think that the CNPS6000AlCu will be capable of providing enough cooling power while still maintaining a fan RPM of <2000? I thought it would be ok since the core voltage of my current processor is 1.80v and it is about 55-60 under load, isn't it core voltage that is the main contributor to heat? Call me an idiot for even suggesting this if its stupid but to be honest I really dont know. I have emailed the tech bit at Quietpc.com and the guy said he thinks it may be ok, but he would keep a very close eye on the CPU temperatures.

If you dont think it will provide enough cooling, do you think the CNPS7000Cu would? Or is there not much difference? What about the thermaltake heatsink "ThermalRight SP-97 (Socket A) Cooler (HS-013-TR)" here: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Thermalright_120.html with a Vantec 92mm fan running at a low RPM, reckon that might do the job?

Trouble is, I know that the heatsink I have now can handle a 3200+ (according to Quietpc.com), but they weren't sure about an o/c XP2500 Mobile..I really need to keep my PC quiet, so I dont really want a fan with an RPM above about 1800...2000 at a stretch.

One more thing, is the fan on the heatsink supposed to blow air onto it or take the hot air away?

Any advice is appreciated, thanks...

 

[myocardia]

First of all, all cpu fans are supposed to blow DOWN on the heatsink. And you didn't say what motherboard you have. If you have an nForce2-based board, you should be just fine with the heatsink you have, since you can overclock to any frequency you want, including 11x200, which is the same as a stock XP3200. The Thermalright SP-97 would definitely keep it cooler, but you don't want to buy a Vantec Tornado, because the lowest voltage you can use them with is 7v, and they make 3x as much noise at 7v as your Zalman does at 2500 rpm. Okay, finally, I saw a test somewhere showing nearly identical heat dissipation for both the 7000AlCu and the 7000Cu, so if you decide to buy one, get the AlCu version. It's cheaper and it's lighter. You know, if you did decide to buy an SP-97, and didn't want an extreme overclock, any 92mm fan would keep it quite cool (like 15C or more below what your Pal. is running now under load). The SP-97 is the best heatsink from the best heatsink-making company in the world.

 

[Darkhound]

Thanks you've been really helpful.

My motherboard is an Asus A7N8X-X. Its a budget range, but it does support 400FSB so I didn't think there would be a problem since an o/c FSB of 400Mhz is just the same as a stock 400Mhz FSB to a mobo isnt it?

I was thinking of the "Vantec SF9225L Stealth 92mm fan - Retail (FG-004-VT)" here: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Vantec.html


I was looking at Zalman ones, but this seems to provide more CFM for 1dB worth of noise more...sooo...

 

[Darkhound]

Damn I double posted, sorry.

Anyway now that I've made this post like an idiot, I think im gonna get the TR heatsink I mentioned and get a vantec stealth to run on it at a low RPM, then try out o/c a mobile Barton...hopefully itll work

 

[myocardia]

Yeah, if you get a Thermalright SP-97 and a 92mm Vantec Stealth, you won't have to worry about temps, as long as you keep it around 2.3-2.4ghz. You'll be very happy, I assure you.

 

[magratton]

FYI: I have an AMD2500Mobile as well running on an Abit NF7-S v2.0 motherboard. I have been able to get 200X12 @ 1.65v prime95 (both large fft and combo) stable for 12+hrs. On some other recommendations I am trying it out at 2k-4k custom setting while at work today but I am pretty certain it will pass that muster as well. I have the SLK947u hsk with Vantec Tornado 92mm on it and yes, it is not quite what I expect the sound to be when sitting beside a hovercraft, but nearly. I believe many on this board will tell you that a decent power supply of decent wattage is also in order if you want to explore that 2.3 - 2.4GHz range. Both Jeff7181 and myocardia have posted many a time on that. Many would recommend the Antec Truepower 430. Not necessary mind you, but may help. It is also what I used.

BTW: all this in place and 12x200 seems to be the max for me (sans a point or two on the fsb) without having to go 1.8v or higher. I have tried 12.5 x 200 and 12x205 and anything below 1.8 is unstable. In fact I didnt bother exploring past 1.8 as I need this system to run for a few years yet. Going from 1.65v stable to 1.8+ just isnt worth the 50Mhz. All in all, for this being in effect my first "real" oc attempt, I am pretty dang happy! :beer:

Anyhow, just wanted to post what some of the newbie oc'ers are getting.

 

[Darkhound]

Cheers. My PSU is 350W but its a good make (Q Technology) so I think it should cut it.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Darkhound
Cheers. My PSU is 350W but its a good make (Q Technology) so I think it should cut it.

Well, I've never heard of that brand, but I don't live in Britain either! You ought to be able to get to 2.2ghz with a 350 watt psu, though.

 

[osage]

"First of all, all cpu fans are supposed to blow DOWN on the heatsink."

WRONG

a number of coolers on the market are made to have the fan draw air from the bottom of the heatsink, as one example Alphas, in fact I have tried several Alphas hsf with the fan going both ways, with the ones that are designed to have the fan blow away from the heatsink there is as much as a 5 degree drop in temp as opposed to with the fan blowing down.

as a rule you should go with the manf recommendation as far as fan installation goes

 

[Super56K]

If you're only hoping for 3200+ speeds why not get a mobile 2400+? I have one with AQYHA stepping, which isn't the best from what I've heard and I've got it stable at 11.5x200 @1.6vcore. This is also on a cheaper biostar m7ncd pro mobo.

 

[Darkhound]

Thanks for the tip. I'm going to a computer fair this Sunday - I'm going to try and pick one up so I'll see what they have, if not I will probably just order a Mobile XP2400 or 2500 off the Internet.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: osage
"First of all, all cpu fans are supposed to blow DOWN on the heatsink."

WRONG

a number of coolers on the market are made to have the fan draw air from the bottom of the heatsink, as one example Alphas, in fact I have tried several Alphas hsf with the fan going both ways, with the ones that are designed to have the fan blow away from the heatsink there is as much as a 5 degree drop in temp as opposed to with the fan blowing down.

as a rule you should go with the manf recommendation as far as fan installation goes

Yeah, you're right, there is one manufacturer who designs their heatsinks backwards. Of course, they don't cool all that well, which is why hardly anyone buys them. If I remember correctly, they're named Alpha.

 

[joe2004]

Yeah, you're right, there is one manufacturer who designs their heatsinks backwards. Of course, they don't cool all that well, which is why hardly anyone buys them. If I remember correctly, they're named Alpha.

Zalman 5700CU are also designed with sucking fan.

 

[osage]

my first hand experince with Alpha hsf going back a few years tells me they cool quite well.

but to each his own. that's why so many make them in so many different brands,shapes and sizes..