Assembling computer, need advice: Fan on heatsink-should it blow in or out?

[vetteguy]

I am putting a Thermalright SLK-800 on my XP1800+ with an 80mm Panaflo fan. My question is, should it blow down into the heatsink or away from it? I've always read it should blow AWAY from it, but somewhere I read recently where Thermalright thought it should blow into it. Any suggestions? Just wanted to ask so I could get this thing put back together before the weekend. Thanks!

 

[bozo1]

All depends on the design of the heatsink. Most of the ones I've used recently blow down onto the processor. I always try both ways however and stick with what performs better.

 

[vetteguy]

Thanks for the response...I mounted it blowing down to see what happened.

While I'm on the subject, what do you think of this temperature? Like I said, I'm running an XP1800 with an SLK-800 heatsink, and an 80mm Panaflo fan. It is currently idling at 46C. Doesn't that seem high? I am also using Arctic Silver (which, I might add, is an ENORMOUS pain to apply!)

 

[bozo1]

Sounds good to me. Depending on my room temperature (85F right now), I usually run around 48-49 idle, 54 under load. That's using Thermalright AX-7's and 42CFm fans. Temperature readings vary from motherboard brand to brand so comparing what you get with a review site or someone else is moot unless you are using the same motherboard, case cooling, room temps, etc.

 

[vetteguy]

Originally posted by: bozo1
Sounds good to me. Depending on my room temperature (85F right now), I usually run around 48-49 idle, 54 under load. That's using Thermalright AX-7's and 42CFm fans. Temperature readings vary from motherboard brand to brand so comparing what you get with a review site or someone else is moot unless you are using the same motherboard, case cooling, room temps, etc.

Whoa...I guess I thought the temps should be a lot lower than than. I am actually in air conditioning right now, but it hasn't been on very high and it's rather warm in here (maybe about 75-80). I also remembered reading somewhere that it takes the AS some time to permeate the heatsink surface before the best performance can be had, so maybe I should wait a little while before making and final assesments. Thanks again!

 

[DongTran]

Best way to find out is to try for yourself. Put the fan on top of HS w/o screwing it in and turn it on. Leave it there for a few minutes intervals and switch it around to see which offers better results.

There are too many variables involved to say in general it is better to sucking/blowing etc whatever.

 

[vetteguy]

Originally posted by: bozo1
Sounds good to me. Depending on my room temperature (85F right now), I usually run around 48-49 idle, 54 under load. That's using Thermalright AX-7's and 42CFm fans. Temperature readings vary from motherboard brand to brand so comparing what you get with a review site or someone else is moot unless you are using the same motherboard, case cooling, room temps, etc.

Well I took it home last night where it isn't air conditioned, and under load it was right around 60. I did have a thought though, that I have an A7M266 motherboard, and this is an XP processor. I have flashed the BIOS, but could it be that the board is reading high? I felt the heatsink and it really didn't feel all that hot, in fact it was only warm. I know that it is making contact, because the 800 goes on VERY hard, so it is definitely sitting on the processor.

 

[bozo1]

Asus boards read high. How much is debatable but many people say 8-10 degrees.

 

[cheapgoose]

sounds very good, I have a 1600xp, oc to 1.65. and my temps are about 50-52 idle, 56-58 under load. and I have a 462U and YSTech 48cfm fan on it.

 

[vetteguy]

Originally posted by: cheapgoose
sounds very good, I have a 1600xp, oc to 1.65. and my temps are about 50-52 idle, 56-58 under load. and I have a 462U and YSTech 48cfm fan on it.

Thanks...I was a little worried but this makes me feel a little better. Plus my case doesn't feel nearly as hot inside so maybe that new fan is moving air around better too.