Does the Zalman 7000A utilize the fan header to auto-adjust speed?

[Slugbait]

Can't find any defintive answer in the included installation manual or on Zalman's website, so I thought I'd ask some experts here...

My CPU fan header on my P4P800 is on the "east side" of the CPU, but the Fan Mate 1(speed controller) of my new 7000A has a cable that's only 5" long, so there's nowhere for me to mount this thing. Can I bypass the Fan Mate 1, hook the fan directly into the mobo fan header, and let the mobo auto-adjust the speed?

Instructions say that if I'm overclocking, I should run this in Normal Mode...but I can't figure out what they mean by that. Is hooking the fan directly into the mobo fan header considered "normal mode"? Or is it to just crank the speed to max on the Fan Mate 1?

Also, the Zalman came with a tube of thermal grease. I have an unused syringe of Artic Cooling silicone I got from...somewhere. Should I use the silicone instead?

BTW, there's some pasty gray stuff on the CPU that was transferred from the stock HSF...what's the best way to clean that off?

My new proc runs super hot (54C at idle), so I'd like to get this right the first time I install this HSF. Thanks

 

[Operandi]

Yes you can let the MB control the Zalman's fan, no need for the Fanmate. As for the thermal paste use what came with the Zalman. For cleaning simple rubbing alcohal works well.

Enjoy.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

1) The amperage limits of the fan header should be checked in your mobo documentation, but I sincerely doubt that the 92mm fan of the CNPS-7000 even comes close to the limit. It should be far below that, so no problem . . . You should be able to draw up to the total amperage limit of ALL fan headers combined from a single fan header if you avoid using any of the others, and again I doubt that the Zalman fan comes close to even the average recommended draw for a single header.

2) Whatever thermal paste comes with the Zalman or anything else, most people support my own experience concluding that it is worth paying the $5 or so for Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste. It results in an improvement of at least a couple degrees Celsius in CPU temperatures -- either idle or load.

[Geez. I'm really nit-picky this evening.]

 

[JEDIYoda]

) Whatever thermal paste comes with the Zalman or anything else, most people support my own experience concluding that it is worth paying the $5 or so for Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste. It results in an improvement of at least a couple degrees Celsius in CPU temperatures -- either idle or load.

Use the thermal paste that came with the zalman for several reasons.....
Zalman would not have sent you an inferior thermal paste to use.....
Also AS5 means what exactly?
Its not the end all of thermal pastes!!
I would just use the Zalman thermal paste!!

Good Luck!!

 

[Slickone]

OP, actually regular rubbing alcohol has water in it, so doesn't clean thermal paste that well. At least not as well as Acetone. You can get a quart of Klean Strip brand Acetone at Wal Mart in the paint section (or at Lowes), cheaper than buying it as fingernail polish remover. Plus often FPR has oil in it (bad).

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Use the thermal paste that came with the zalman for several reasons.....
Zalman would not have sent you an inferior thermal paste to use.....
Also AS5 means what exactly?
Its not the end all of thermal pastes!!
I would just use the Zalman thermal paste!!

Good Luck!!

They'll send some that is 'good enough' to work, but some they got cheap. It doesn't mean there isn't better. Aren't a couple degrees worth $5?
You're bad at teh quote.

 

[JEDIYoda]

So you also own stock in AS5....lolol

 

[Slickone]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
So you also own stock in AS5....lolol

Heh. I wish. But there's no reason to tell anyone not to use it. Give them the facts and let them decide. Pay $5 more and get a proven couple degrees cooler.

 

[Slugbait]

Thanks, guys. Unfortunately, I already swathed the old goo off with rubbing alchohol, but used it sparingly, the chip seems fine.

I slathered on the paste that came with the HSF, installed, and my CPU temp at stock 3.0G is now at a very impressive 29C idle. I overclocked to 3.3G, and idle speed hovers between 30C and 31C.

I went ahead and hooked it directly to the fan header, no problem.

Damn, this Zalman is quiet.