coolers for A64

[Vee]

I'm very interested in hearing about your experiences with various heatsinks and Athlon64.
In particular 3400+, but that doesn't matter so much.

I'm running Arctic Cooling Silencer64 on a 3400+, and I arrive at a stabilized 64C after about 30-40 minutes of full 100% CPU load. With case closed. Case open, drops it to 60C. My CPU temp during 'normal use' seem to be about 43C.

Since this PC will run at 100% through most of the workdays, I'm anxious to get a good cooling solution.

Please don't post your figures, if you're not running at sustained 100% CPU load. And give it about an hour. Having things like Seti@home or Folding@home, is a good way to ensure that.

 

[LocutusX]

i`ll start since i was running my CPU at "virtual 3400" speeds yesterday...

CPU @ 2400mhz
Mem @ 200mhz / 2.0-3-2-10-1T
LTD @ x 3
FSB @ 240

Prime95 after 60 minutes: 51 C
Stop Prime95, give CPU 15 minutes on Idle: 34 C
forgot mobo temps, was probably at around 35 C

Using stock retail AMD cooler (all-aluminum), left stock AMD TIM on...

Voltages: CPU 1.50v (asus h/m reports 1.488), Vdimm 2.7v

CPU is Newcastle AX/CG 3000+

 

[Markfw]

First, what is the amient temperature (room temp) ? And do you have a link to that cooler ? I have an Athlon 3000+ OC'ed to 3400+ levels and I run low 50's while running F@H for weeks without stopping. Your temps sound high. I have a Thermaltake Silent boost K8 ($30) 21dba.

Edit: found a link. That cooler doesn't even look as good as the retail unit, except maybe quieter. I would get the Thermaltake unit, but I think your ambient temp might also be higher then mine (75f)

 

[WARMANinPA]

dude he said he was using the stock cooler. it comes with the cpu in the box. I have found the stock coolers to be fine, but I guess if you live in tuscon, it could be an issue. Um, if you want temp/performance for the money, Id go with a upperend zalman, link here http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=35-118-109&depa=0
this is a very good cooler. My buddie has a 3400 64 and he prime 95 runs at like 45-47. also, check out your case cooling. get round cables, ect.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Also, if your case has good circulation, your temps should actually increase slightly when the door is removed.

 

[dennisjai215]

my suggestions are a thermalright xp120 + a 120mm fan that pushes air around 30dba so it isnt too loud =D

 

[Vee]

Well, as I figured, it will be a good idea to replace the heatsink.
I have had excellent experience with Arctic Cooling in the past. But this one was very cheap, and looks it too. And 3400+ is stated as the upper limit. They don't make any other for A64. It is silent though.

My ambient temperature is 23C.
My idle temperature is actually only high 30'ies. ~38C. So that seems ok. As long as I only fool around with normal apps, temperatures stay low. Even without cool'n quiet. But it can't get rid of enough heat during full load.

Thermalright XP-120 looks fancy, but it's only aluminum for that pricetag. ...And I think I want to go with copper, if I buy another one.
I can't get the Thermaltake Silentboost in time. I'll try to shop around for a Z7000cu tomorrow, there's some chance some local may have it in stock. Otherwise, I suppose I have to go for the one AMD supplied.

 

[dennisjai215]

xp120 is a hybrid im pretty sure.... x120 is the best heatsink out right now you can buy...

 

[Vee]

Originally posted by: dennisjai215
xp120 is a hybrid im pretty sure.... x120 is the best heatsink out right now you can buy...

Ok, what temps do you get?

 

[Mullzy]

Originally posted by: Vee
I'm very interested in hearing about your experiences with various heatsinks and Athlon64.
In particular 3400+, but that doesn't matter so much.

I'm running Arctic Cooling Silencer64 on a 3400+, and I arrive at a stabilized 64C after about 30-40 minutes of full 100% CPU load. With case closed. Case open, drops it to 60C. My CPU temp during 'normal use' seem to be about 43C.

Since this PC will run at 100% through most of the workdays, I'm anxious to get a good cooling solution.

Please don't post your figures, if you're not running at sustained 100% CPU load. And give it about an hour. Having things like Seti@home or Folding@home, is a good way to ensure that.

Sounds like you could benefit from some better case air flow as well. As others have mentioned, many CPU temps actually increase if you take the side panel off. Of course... of lot of us basically have wind tunnels which you many not be interested in building.

Sorry I can't comment on your A64 heatsink situation. It seems to me though that the point of the Silencer is to get near stock hsf results with less noise (as opposed to be a superior cooling solution). Regardless, 60C (with side panel off) seems a little high to me unless your mobo is known for being out 5-10 degrees.

 

[Vee]

OK, here's an update on this subject, for all of you who were sweet enough to post here. Thankyou, guys

.

I'm now fairly sure the problem was a too thick layer of thermal paste. I mounted the Silencer64 twice, because I had big problems with the mounting as intended by Arctic Cooling. Not only does a couple of capacitors interfere with their underside soldering, the backplate was also too thick to allow mounting in the case. I deviced a way to utilize the backplate coming with the MB instead. When I removed the heatsink, in order to remount it, I was satisfied to see that the silicon paste was squeezed so thin, it was virtually completely gone. With this in the back, I got sloppy and simply slapped on some additional paste, without removing the old or taking care in spreading it very thinly and evenly.

As I later again removed the heatsink, to install the Zalman 7000, I was greated with a thick, opaque white layer of silicon paste that hadn't squeezed out much at all.

I still mounted the Zalman, so I don't know what temperatures I could have got with the Silencer64. But I feel it might be somewhat better than the 64C I achieved with it. I'll probaly build a private 64 3000+. I'll put it to use in that.

(The Zalman was also a pain to install. Mine came with the old metal/paper backplate, which again interfered with solderings, and couldn't be used. I again managed to find a way to use the original backplate instead.)

Anyway, CPU-temperature now utterly refuses to go above 50C, no matter what I torture it with.