CPU temp

[luisfreak]

Hello everybody.
THis is my first time posting here. I just put a computer together (pentium 4 3.0 Mhz Prescott) and I decided to buy a new heatsink to replace the Intel hsf that comes with the processor. The one I chose was the Cooler Master Aero 4 (lite). I did not replace the thermal compound that was already in the heatsink and just went ahead and installed it as it came out of the box. The temperatures I am getting are 41 degrees Celcius (reported by Asus Probe) and 44 celcius (reported by the bios) while idle. I get between 7 to 12 degrees more while the CPU is processing (as reported by ASUS probe, so probably more between 10 and 15). All of this is with the case open, because it si not very well ventilated, but that is a totally different issue!
My question is, will I get better heat disipation if I decide to use a different thermal compount, say Artic Silver 5? How do I go about replacing the compound? The Artic silver website says that you should avoid replacing the compound once it has gotten hot and melted.
Will this be an issue?
Finally.. I know this is a cheap HSF, but I am on a budget here.
WIll I be better off just getting a new HSF? I really like the fan, so I might just try an replace the heat sink.
I know water cooling would be the ideal solution, but as I said, I am in a budget, so that is out of the question.
Best regards and I appreciate any help
Luis.

 

[Navid]

Did the original stock hetasink come with a tube of thermal compound, or did it have a thermal pad on it?
Did you install it with the stock heatsink and used the computer for a while, or did you go right to the after-market cooler?
If it had a thermal pad on it and you installed it already and used it for a while, you should remove it. Those pads are to be used only once.
You need to clean the heatsink and the CPU with 90% isopropyl alcohol.
Then, put a very small amount of Arctic Silver on it as instruction suggest and mount.

How flat is the bottom of the new heatsink that you got? Hopefully it is quite flat.

 

[luisfreak]

I went ahead and installed the aftermarket cooler. I did not install the stock hsf. It has been running for about 2 weeks now.
Do you think the new thermal compound wil help? How much?
thanks

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: luisfreak
I went ahead and installed the aftermarket cooler. I did not install the stock hsf. It has been running for about 2 weeks now.
Do you think the new thermal compound wil help? How much?
thanks

I am still not clear what you did!
You bought a P4 and an after-market cooler and installed the after-market cooler on the P4, right?
Did the after-market cooler come with thermal pad already under the heatsink or did it come with a tube of thermal compound for you to use?
If it came with thermal pad, you may have had to peel off a cover from it before installing it.
If it did not have thermal pad, you definitely need to add themal compound. You should not just install a cooler with nothing between the heatsink and the CPU.

Can you provide a link to the product (cooler) that you got.

 

[Navid]

According to this page, the cooler comes with thermal compound already applied. But, you need to remove of a protective layer first.
http://www.metku.net/index.html?sect=view&n=0&path=reviews/aero4lite/index_eng

Is this your cooler?
Did you remove the protective layer?

If you did not remove the protective layer, I recommend that you get some Arctic Silver 5 and some 91% alcohol. REmove the protective layer. Clean the base of the heatsink completely with alcohol. Use a material that does not leave any fibers. Like what is used for cleaning lenses. Do not touch the base of the heatsink or the CPU with your hand. Clean the top of the CPU also with the alcohol.

Then, apply a very small amount of Arctic Silver on top of the CPU in the center (as the Arctic Silver 5 instructions suggest) and install the cooler.
Your CPU temperature should drop.

 

[Navid]

I am so sorry,
Please don't touch anything!
Everything seems to be as needs to be if you removed the plastic cover before installing the cooler.

The Prescotts are hotter than the Northwoods.
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=16952
That is why your idle temperature is 41 degrees.

 

[MrK6]

AS5 will still help lower temps a few degrees celcius, it always does.