AMD + Shuttle = Oven ?

[AtlantaBob]

Posting questions is such a good distraction from work... so here's one.

I'm putting together a cheap SFF Shuttle system (SK41G -- good prices at Newegg at the moment if anyone's interested) that's mostly for Word / Web / Powerpoint work. Heat's a bit of a concern, mostly because I want to run the fans at a very low level. Right now it has a AMD 2000 (Throughbread) in it, and the processor is idling at about 45 C. I have some other processors around -- a AMD 1700 and 1800 (both, I *think* are also Thoroughbread cores.... sorry, don't have them at hand to inspect). Would it make much of a (heat) difference to trade out the 2000 with the 1700 or 1800? Or, should I just go back and apply some artic silver instead?

According to this guide from Tom's it seems that there should be a difference, but I wanted to run it by people with some real world experience.

Thanks.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

It won't make much difference but iirc t-bred B is a bit cooler running than T-bred A so if it's A vs B that is something I'd consider. Your temp is fine though so no worries, unless you haven't disabled smart fan and set it to low yet. You can also cut out the grill to help the exhaust fan vent better and/or replace the stock with a quieter fan. I really don't think given the usage heat is an issue though as that CPU is rated for 85-90c and your temp reading isn't likely to be that far off.

 

[warzer]

could also try a amd mobil proc as they seem to run much cooler. but thats just a guess i have not seen any specific reviews about there abilities vs heat.

 

[AWhackWhiteBoy]

i have a t-bred @ 2.2ghz in my SN41GB with the stock fan and ICE cooling and some AS5. i have the fan at half speed and the temps never break 50C under load.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

If you can spring for the cash, you can get a 2400+ mobile barton chip, it will run both cooler and faster than your old 2000+ t-bread

edit: you could likely re-sale your other 3 XP chips to get the cash for it.

 

[AWhackWhiteBoy]

if you get a barton, you have to buy a version SN41Gv2, otherwise it won't have the version 3 motherboard. if the motherboard is version 1 or 2,you don't get multiplier adjustments and you'd be stuck at 800mhz with the m-barton.

 

[AtlantaBob]

Sorry that it's taken me a while to get back to everyone--thanks again for your comments! I've sort of broken my responses up by posters, but if you've got the time, you might find something useful under someone else's comments.

DAPUNISHER -- actually, I made a typo when I typed the original CPU tems--it was about 47-48 under idle load; also, I hadn't disabled SpeedFan. I have since (and set it to low, like you reccomended), and temps are about the same. However, the machine is much quiter--I guess it's quit throtling up and down so much--the constant drone is much better. Also, thanks for the grill comment... I've seen some people post about it, but haven't really searched it out. [Another FYI--the system has a Western Digital 80 GB HDD, but no CDRom or floppy. It's also got a wireless card and an old ATI 7500... so part of the reason I'm concerned about temps is if I decide to add a CDRom or update the graphics]

warzer and lobadobadingdong - I've thought about going the mobile route, but unfortunately, I only have access to the other chips--can't sell them (mom, dad and others in the family want their computers too...) Still,it's a thought for the future...

AWhackWhiteBoy--I've got the SK41G, and fromwhat I understand, it doesn't really have much in the way of multiplier changing in the BIOS, etc... does that mean that some of the benefits (dynamic speed changes) of a mobile chip wouldn't be useful?

And finally, from what I understand, I can max the mobo with a 2600 chip--does anyone know if that's accurate?

Thanks again for all of your comments

 

[Zebo]

Try undervolting your chip. I'd bet real money it will run stable at 1.45-1.55 volts at stock speed...signifigantly lowering your temps...or allowing you to lessen fan RPM thus noise.

 

[batmanuel]

On the SK41G, your're limited to a 266MHz FSB Athlon (not sure if the current BIOSes for this board support Semprons yet), so no Bartons for you. I'd say the mobiles are probably out for that chipset as well.

I'd probably go back and get some decent thermal compound, though. I used some Coolermaster/Shin Etsu compound when I put together a SK41G system for my wife's grandma last Christmas and I really don't remember the fan getting that loud once it POSTed and the fan control kicked in (of course I'm used to my listening to my personal wind tunnel with five 80mm fans, so my view of quiet may be a bit skewed). I never had any trouble with temps either, and I used an old Palamino 2000+ in that thing, along with a GeForce 4 MX 440, floppy, CDRW and 80GB WD SE hard drive. I burned that setup in with a whole day of constant Prime 95 and 3d Mark 2001SE loops, and it never showed any signs of temperature issues.

 

[AWhackWhiteBoy]

you don't have the newer motherboard, so there is absolutely NO settings aside from FSB changing. you can't adjust the multiplier or any voltages.

if you put a mobile barton in this XPC(like i did), the motherboard won't know what kind of chip it is an default at the lowest possible multiplier, and you won't be able to budge it from that. so DO NOT purchase any mobile chips, your stuck with plain vanilla desktop processors and stock voltages.

i traded my mobile 2600+ barton with a good friend for a 2600+ T-bred, not exactly an even trade but at least i have a working XPC now. i OCed it to 2.2ghz with stock voltage, and used some AS5, it never breaks 50C. the ICE system it comes with works fantastic,i wouldn't worry at all.

 

[AtlantaBob]

Thanks again for all of the replies. Good to know now what my options are!
As far as the mobo goes, I suppose I knew I was getting a limited deal when I got it. Oh well. At least this way I'm not tempted to by too many new toys?