Cheap heatsink

[bdl666r6]

I have been using this heatsink for a couple of months now, and I can't get my cpu to get any colder than 50c. The cpu is an athlon 2400+ running at specs(2003 mhz), and I'm using Arctic Alumina 3. I don't believe the heat sink needs to be lapped because it comes with a mirror finish all over not just the base(even in betwen the fins).

I looked up the fans specs just to make sure it wasn't the fan and it moves 42 cfm acording to spec's. But I took it out and compared it to a Panaflo FBP-08B12L that can move 50 cfm and they were about the same.

I also have 4 80mm fans on the case, two on the back pushing air out, one on the front and one on the bottom pulling air in. These are rated at 30 cfm. Plus the one on the psu. The air comming out the case on the back(with the exception of the one on the psu) is not hot at all.

My question is without changing the heat sink what else can I do to keep my cpu temperature down?

 

[Pilsnerpete]

You could reseat the heatsink with a bit more thermal goo (I'm using AS3 until I run out, but use whatever you think is best.) Also you might try cutting a fan hole in the top for an extra exhaust. But before you try that, run it without the side on and see if it runs cooler that way.

And lastly, get at least an sk-7 from Thermalright. They're pretty cheap over at SVC. [nevermind! They've been discontinued...that's too bad, they're really good. If you can find one used, you should get it.]

 

[bdl666r6]

When I take out the side panel the temperature drops a degree or two but not that much. At this point I'm thinking that either the cpu has some abnormality or the sink is not pure copper. Or that the the diode that senses temps inside the cpu is not acurate enuff. But I'm not sure what's going on in there.

I've also taken the sink out and vary the ammount of Arctic Alumina on the die and I only changes one or two degrees.Might try a piece of flexible air air duct and and vent the cpu trough one of the fan holes on the back of the case.I completely remove the factory grills on the case to stop the noise and reduce the air resistance on the fans, and the fan on the bottom is sitting on a really tight fitting hole tha I cut on the case.

Does someone knows of a cheap way to measure the cpu temp without using the internal sensor?

 

[Sarobi]

I think your first mistake was trying to skimp on something as important as your heatsink. I mean, I can understand not wanting to spend more than you really have to spend, but there are some components that do require a little more $$ if you want decent performance --- your heatsink is one of them. Try the Vantec Aeroflow 7040. It will do a much better job and can be had for less than $25. It's a good price/performance deal IMO -- and def. worth the extra over what you are using.

 

[lucky9]

I run 42C with a retail 2500+ at stock speeds. I do have a case that has a vent tube from the side to the CPU. Works great for my daughter.

 

[SWScorch]

50 C really isn't all that bad. But, how warm is the ambient temperature in the room? If the room air is very warm, then the CPU won't be cooled as efficiently as if it were much cooler. Also, it might just be that the heatsink quite simply is not that great. Either way, 50 C really isn't that bad; my Athlon 2500+ at work runs 57-58 with the stock heatsink, but it's stable so I don't worry about it. And right now my Athlon 2000+ here at home, with a Thermalright AX-7 and a 50cfm YS Tech fan is running at 48 C, with plenty of airflow and cooling.

 

[WobbleWobble]

There's nothing wrong with 50C...

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: WobbleWobble
There's nothing wrong with 50C...

If it's stable leave it alone.

 

[RussianSensation]

Look here:

CPU Chart Characteristics

As you can tell the 2400+ can sustain a maximum temperature anywhere from 85-90*C. Now this might be slightly extreme and that is the maximum temperature before the cpu burns out, so I'd say if you run maybe 10-15*C lower, your cpu will work just as long as it will at lower temperatures. There is no publication or credible opinion that I am aware of that states your cpu will last longer or work better at lower temperatures, unless it is running at its maximum thermal temperatures whereupon it will either freeze or clock back in speed automatically to prevent damage.

Now 50*C in your case is just fine. I used to run my 3.0ghz p4 with stock heatsink at 64.5*C and on warmer days it would get a lot hotter. Since for p4 the maximum temperature is close to 70*C, sometimes when it would get very close to that barrier, the cpu would clock back and become 'jerky'. Only then i bought a new and a better heatsink that allowed me to overclock even more without temperatures interfering stability. But technically there is no reason to waste money on a heatsink just to lower your temperatures from 50*C to - 50*C (just an analogy), unless you plan to overclock or the initial temperature is close to or exceeds the thermal maximum.

cheers