Cooling for an AMD XP 2000+

[JonElfson]

I currently have a 9301K case w/ 300W PSU, elcheapo... I'm planning to buy an AMD XP 2000+ and I want to know what cooling/PSU I'll need to get a good temperature and be able to overclock it.

Any input would help, thanks.

 

[mechBgon]

The only reference I can find to a 9301k case shows only the front, so it's hard to know for sure what your ventilation options are. Having at least one 80mm auxiliary exhaust fan on the rear panel is desirable. If the case doesn't have the ventilation you want, the Antec and Antec-alike models have good ventilation capabilities and are very popular, or there are the Lian-Li aluminum cases. People also have good comments about the inexpensive Evercase at newegg.com, despite its low price.

Seems like a PSU with over 180W of combined output on the 3.3V + 5V lines is desirable. Enermax 365W, Antec TruePower330W, Sparkle 350W are the first ones I would think about (I have the Enermax). Hope that helps!


edited for speeling

 

[JonElfson]

I have the following HSF to choose from because I only have 1 good computer store in my city unless I order online...

Alpha PAL-8045 w/ Delta Fan
Cooler Master 5G11
Cooler Master 6I11
GlobalWIN CAKII-38
GlobalWIN FOP38
GlobalWIN SAK38
GlobalWIN TAK68
GlobalWIN WBK38
Thermalright CB-6L
Thermaltake Dragon Orb 1
Thermaltake Dragon Orb 3
Thermaltake Volcano 6Cu
Thermaltake Volcano 7
Thermaltake Volcano 7+
Vantec CCK-6027D
Vantec CCK-6035

I'm getting the XP 2000+ with the new Thoroughbred core. Will the HSF with the retail package be good enough to do some overclocking or will I need one of these HSF?

 

[mechBgon]

The stock heatsink comes with (as far as I know) the same 21cfm slimline 60mm fan found on the other retail AMD coolers, but with a heatsink that has a copper insert in the base. You could replace that fan with a high-output fan to give yourself some headroom if you don't mind additional noise. If you want to pick up an aftermarket heatsink instead (or in addition), it sounds like AMD is calling for Thoroughbreds to be used only with heatsinks that have a copper heatspreader in the base. The reason is that, although the new Tbred core produces a little less heat, it has a LOT less surface through which to transfer the heat to the heatsink.

That rules out both Coolermasters, which are all aluminum. The Globalwin SAK38 and CAKII-38 qualify (copper heatspreader or all-copper). The Thermalright CB-6L appears to come in two styles but both have copper bases. Different fans though. The Vantec 6027D is pretty small but the 6035 looks all right. The Alpha is awesome but does not fit all motherboards, check here for the fit list.

As listed, all of the candidates have loud fans. Because it takes an 80mm fan, the Alpha has more room to play with the noise-to-cooling ratio if you want to get some other fan for it.

Another couple of good candidates would be the Taisol with the copper base like this one. or the Thermalright AX-7, which is about $25 without a fan. I guess I'll mention the good old Alpha PAL6035 and PEP66 as well, since they also have copper heatspreaders and take 60mm fans. The PEP66 calls for careful measuring to ensure that it'll fit, since it uses a side-firing fan instead of top-mounted, but it has good performance. The PAL6035 should fit absolutely anything unless it's height-restricted (eg, a BookPC or something odd like that).

 

[JonElfson]

Wow, thanks alot.

So the Alpha PAL-8045 w/ Delta Fan is worth paying the $65 CAN over all the others and it would be good for XP 2200+ too, and the others to come.

 

[mechBgon]

I think an 8045 with the Delta high-output fan is probably enough cooling for two AthlonXP's I mean, that is a heck of a fan, if it's the model of Delta shown here. So it will cover the future needs of SocketA, no doubt about it, as long as you have a motherboard where the Alpha fits without hangups.

 

[Gene396]

Another vote for the PAL 8045. I have a 2000+ @1700 on a Epox 8K7a+. The PAL 8045 takes a 80mm fan; so you have many fans to choose from. Went one step futher and made an adaper to use 92mm fan. Was a lot of trouble, but am using a Panaflo A12H with rheostat and getting 40C @ idle and 44C under load along with being very quiet. Instead of a "screaming banchee" there is a low pitched rumble from fans. Quit bearable sound and excellent cooling on a hot running CPU.

 

[JonElfson]

I have MSI K7T266 Pro2 Motherboard which is on the fit list, so when I find either a OEM XP 2000+ or 2100+ with a Thoroughbred core I'll pick up one of the Alpha PAL-8045 w/ Delta Fan with it.

If I got any problems with the installing it, I'll post one for you