First impressions: Overclocking with the Alpha 8942 vs. Mcx 4000

jpetermann

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2001
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Here is my first published review over at Legit Reviews: MCX4000 Review


First off, I installed the mcx4000 VERY quickly... so I am gonna do a full re-install later tonight. But so far:

1. MCX was easier to install - basically, what I mean is it screws in easier... the Alpha can be a pain at times.

2. So far, the Alpha beats it in Temp readings... but my results are flawed because the Alpha had been on a couple of days and the ASIII had set. the MCX had a 2*c higher reading. Once the ASIII sets on the MCX, it will likely be the same as the Alpha... we will see.

PJ
 

zShowtimez

Senior member
Nov 20, 2001
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Id like to see how your little comparison pans out. See if I made the better buy. What kind of fan you got on it?
 

zShowtimez

Senior member
Nov 20, 2001
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I got my mcx4000 on sale. 45 and it came with a thermaltake smart fan 2.. fan was annoying so i replaced it, otherwise a good deal.
 

jpetermann

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2001
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Well, at full load, the mcx4000 is 2*c cooler than the Alpha. I have also noticed that the cpu cools down much quicker with the mcx. Seems like the mcx is likely the better of the two. If I had to order a new one, I would recommend the mcx4000. If you already have an Alpha, IMHO, going to the mcx4000 will not do too much for you. I had to buy it just to test it out.

Both my Alpha and my MCX were using a YS Tech adjustable RPM fan. I am switching to the TMD fan now to see how it works compared to the YS Tech Adjust.

PJ
 

Megatomic

Lifer
Nov 9, 2000
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Originally posted by: THUGSROOK
that place going OOB or something?

huge sale prices on everything there! :Q
Not AFAIK. They always have great deals. I utilize them whenever I can.
 

oldfart

Lifer
Dec 2, 1999
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My exp with the Alpha is it needs VERY little airflow to do its job. I compared a Panaflo L1A (24 CFM) and a Panaflo M1A (32 CFM). To my suprise, I saw no difference at all between the two. My idle and load temps were the same. I used SpeedFan to lower the RPM down on the M1A to sub L1A levels. I had to lower it to a very slow speed before I saw temps rise. Since Panaflo's have no RPM monitoring, Its hard to say how low the RPM was. The system is my 2.4B @ 3.06, 1.55 Vcore. Maybe a faster clocked system and/or one using more Vcore could benefit from more CFM. I'm VERY happy to be using the super quiet L1A! (I hate noise). :)
 

jpetermann

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2001
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Ok,

TMD fan is real nice as far as cooling is going. Lowers temps by 3-4*c, not very loud, but two issues:
1. The way I received the items (MCX400 and TMD fan), the provided screws do not come all the way down to actually tighten the fan down... I would say it is about about 1/8 of an inch off. The only other screws are either too short or too long, so I either did not get what I needed, ot this is something that was overlooked by Swiftech. Maybe you all out there that have this combo can tell me what is up...

2. Relates to #1 because without the proper fit for the fan, it does vibrate a little.

Other than this, this seems to be a nice setup. I may just have to go and buy some rubber spacers for this thing.

If you have this setup, let me know what ya did...

PJ
 

jpetermann

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2001
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They do take awhile to ship - that is my experience at least...

PJ

Originally posted by: THUGSROOK
that place going OOB or something?

huge sale prices on everything there! :Q

 

THUGSROOK

Elite Member
Feb 3, 2001
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what are the ratings on those fans PJ?

how well do they each perform with "quiet" cooling? (28dba or less)
 

snowwie

Member
Aug 8, 2002
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yeah, the screws supplied with my mcx-4000 were too long for my tmd fan as well

but I think it's ok, because when the fan is pressed up against the heatsink, the rushing air onto the pins makes more noise, so I back it up flush with the screws and leave it there.

I don't have too much vibration that way

I really love this heatsink by the way

now I just need to get those 92mm fan brackets...
 

jpetermann

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2001
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Fortunately the 92mm brakets came with mine. I have no intentions at the moment to get a 92mm though...

Thugs, I will find links to the fans so you can see them and their specs


PJ
 

jpetermann

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2001
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Well, did some more priming and all and I got some pretty good temps with the TMD under load: 46load! That is a full 5*c lower than my Alpha. So, if I can get me some rubber spacers to take care of the vibration and fit of the fan, I am sticking with the TMD and MCX4000.

Here are the 2 fans is used:

YS Tech TMD

YS Tech Adjustable

Both are nice in my opinion. The TMD is VERY nice and cools very good!

PJ
 

DAPUNISHER

Super Moderator CPU Forum Mod and Elite Member
Super Moderator
Aug 22, 2001
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Originally posted by: THUGSROOK
whats the room temp?
Werd, tell 'em to come down here to Central/South Florida ;)
 

DAPUNISHER

Super Moderator CPU Forum Mod and Elite Member
Super Moderator
Aug 22, 2001
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That's messed up! I quoted you saying one thing and with the new FuseTalk it changed to what you edited it to anyways....
 

jpetermann

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2001
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Originally posted by: THUGSROOK
whats the room temp?

Room temp is at 68* F
Board temp is at 25*c
cpu at idle is at 33-34*c
Load hovers between 45-46*c

 

jpetermann

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2001
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I am amazed at how quick the cpu cools down with the MCX as well. She just works well. I got my rubber spacers and washers, hopefully the vibrating will go bye-bye... We will see...

PJ
 

jpetermann

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2001
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HS = Alpha
fan = YS Tech Adjustable
room temp = 20*c
idle temp = 36*c
load temp = 51*c

fan = N/A (Can't put the TMD on the Alpha... Does not fit)
room temp =
idle temp =
load temp =

Remember, ASIII did not have time to "cure" with the Swiftech

HS = Swiftech MCX4000
fan = YS Tech Adjustable
room temp =20*c
idle temp = 36*c
load temp = 48*c

fan = YS Tech TMD
room temp = 20*c
idle temp = 34*c
load temp = 46*c


Hope this is better for ya all!

PJ