AMD 3800 X2 + Zalman CNPS7000B-AlCu HSF

[Skott]

The setup:

AMD 3800 X2 CPU
Zalman CNPS7000B-AlCu HSF Kit
ASUS A8N32 Deluxe mobo
2Gb (2x1Gb) RAM

The Hypothetical question:

If a person was to use this HSF with the 3800 X2 would he be able to moderately overclock it to 2.4 - 2.5? I know there are better fans that'll do the job much easier and better but I'm curious if anyone has done it with this particular HSF yet? Or whats the max they have OCed the 3800 with this fan.

The reason I ask is because this is probably the best HSF Monarch offers in their customer configurator. Anything better is also bigger and heavier and they dont ship it installed due to the possibility of something getting broke or falling off during shipping. So I'm wondering if a moderate overclock is possible with this setup.

Thanks in advance

~Skott~

 

[Leper Messiah]

Originally posted by: Skott
The setup:

AMD 3800 X2 CPU
Zalman CNPS7000B-AlCu HSF Kit
ASUS A8N32 Deluxe mobo
2Gb (2x1Gb) RAM

The Hypothetical question:

If a person was to use this HSF with the 3800 X2 would he be able to moderately overclock it to 2.4 - 2.5? I know there are better fans that'll do the job much easier and better but I'm curious if anyone has done it with this particular HSF yet? Or whats the max they have OCed the 3800 with this fan.

The reason I ask is because this is probably the best HSF Monarch offers in their customer configurator. Anything better is also bigger and heavier and they dont ship it installed due to the possibility of something getting broke or falling off during shipping. So I'm wondering if a moderate overclock is possible with this setup.

Thanks in advance

~Skott~

Eh. Its decent. For a while, before I bought my TT Big Typhoon, I used a Zalman 7700Al-Cu, which is the 120mm version of that fan. Temps were okay, but after about 2.4 GHz or so, it get pretty toasty. I'd estimate the cooling power of the 7000 to be about as good as the stock cooler, just alot quieter. As long as you don't overvolt alot, you should be okay...

 

[Elfear]

There are better hsf's out there for the money (XP-90) but the Zalman does a decent job. If your chip is good to 2.4-2.5GHz than I imagine the Zalman cooler will suffice.

Are you getting a whole system through Monarch or just a cpu/motherboard combo? If it was me, I'd get the combo through Monarch (with the OEM chip since ocing voids the warranty anyway) and than buy an XP-90 or similiar high quality hsf from another vendor. You can get the XP-90 for ~$35-40 shipped with a Panaflo 92mm fan, which would be less overall than getting the Zalman through Monarch. If you want those few extra degrees of cooling power, you can also get one of the top five hsf's and it would only be a few more dollars than what Monarch's charging for the Zalman.

 

[JohnAn2112]

I got the Zalman CNPS7000B on my 3800+ X2 and the temps stay right below 50C during load and 36C on idle.

Edit: Forgot to mention that I'm running at 2.5GHz at 1.4v.

 

[Skott]

Elfear,
I'll be buying an entire system from Monarch. I have bought from them before and had very good results in the past so I feel confident about going with them again for my new rig. I plan on OCing this next time but only looking to go a moderate amount. 2.4 - 2.6. Mainly thinking to stay near 2.4. I do realize there are way better HSFs out there to accomplish those speeds. I was just wondering if doing it the lazy way of them installing it for me would work instead of me buying a HSF and installing it myself. Unfortunately due to shipping concerns they dont install any big HSF with the order. I can understand why too. Some of those HSF are quite big and heavy. The CNPS7000B-AlCu seems to be the best they do offer in a custom build. Price really isnt a concern it has more to do with me being too lazy to do it myself. LOL

Leper & John,
Thanks for the replies and info guys. Much appreciated.

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: Skott
Elfear,
I'll be buying an entire system from Monarch. I have bought from them before and had very good results in the past so I feel confident about going with them again for my new rig. I plan on OCing this next time but only looking to go a moderate amount. 2.4 - 2.6. Mainly thinking to stay near 2.4. I do realize there are way better HSFs out there to accomplish those speeds. I was just wondering if doing it the lazy way of them installing it for me would work instead of me buying a HSF and installing it myself. Unfortunately due to shipping concerns they dont install any big HSF with the order. I can understand why too. Some of those HSF are quite big and heavy. The CNPS7000B-AlCu seems to be the best they do offer in a custom build. Price really isnt a concern it has more to do with me being too lazy to do it myself. LOL

Leper & John,
Thanks for the replies and info guys. Much appreciated.

Well i understand if time is a concern. If you can possibly make some time though, building your own rig is a kick in the head and will cost you considerably less than a pre-built unit. Just find a buddy with a little computer knowledge to help or read some of the useful guides on the net.

That being said, could you just order the system with the retail chip and than buy an XP-90 seperately? If that seems like to much hassle than the Zalman will probably work fine. I just remember dropping 5-6C going from the 7000ALCU to the XP-120. Might be the factor that allows you to get to 2.5GHz or it might not.

 

[Skott]

Yes, ideally if I want to put in a Tt BT, XP-90, or SLi 120, and/or etc., then its best to just order the system with a retail 3800 X2 and HSF and then buy the fan of my choice at the cheapest price I can find on the net, remove the retail HSF, and install the new HSF myself. Basically I was just curious if I could get away with just using the Zalman CNPS7000B-AlCu. I kinda figured buying a bigger HSF would be better but I wanted to ask to get extra input on the Zalman CNPS7000B-AlCu idea. Just checking out all my options at this point.

I do appreciate the feedback.

~Skott~

 

[Skott]

Update: I been reading a few reviews of people getting a stable 2.4 on stock cooling. I may get something easy to install like the XP-90 or XP-120 since I dont plan on heavy overclocking. Nice to know that some are getting 2.4 on stock cooling however.

 

[jonnythan]

I can OC to 2.5GHz with the stock HSF with no problems and a max load temp of under 45.

Right now I have the fan on SMART control so it can be as quiet as possible, and a core clock of 2.4GHz at 1.425v (that's a bios setting.. CPU-Z shows 1.392 v actual voltage). My idle temps are 35-40 and load temps hover at 50.

 

[Skott]

Thanks for sharing that info Jonnythan. Much appreciated.