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Heatsink question...

B

Bearcat14

Member
I have recently built my first system and I installed a Zalman CNPS7000B-AlCu heatsink on my Athlon 3400+ Clawhammer. I have an Asus A8V Delux motherboard and I had to remove the black plastic bracket from the Mobo to install the heatsink (per other posts in this forum). Now, my CPU is idling at about 43 degrees C. This is not really any better than the stock heatsink that came with the CPU did. My question is, should it be? The Zalman looks to me like it should provide better cooling, but it doesn't. Along those lines, how tightly should I screw the heatsink on when I install it? Is there a danger of cracking the chip? Anyone have a similar setup to (below) and if so, how hot does your CPU run? Thanks for any help.

My specs are: Athlon 3400+, Asus A8VE delux mobo, Antec P160 case, BFG Nvidia 6800GT, Antec 480W power supply, Raptor 74GB HDD. THanks again.
 
I have the same heatsink. What setting do you have the fan on?

When screwing it in, just make sure that it's tight enough that the heatsink stays firmly flat on the CPUs surface when mounted in a case. You can lightly tug on the heatsink to see if it moves or "lifts" at all after you've screwed it in. Don't overtighten because that can cause your motherboard to bend. You will probably damage your motherboard first before your CPU if you overtighten because Athlon 64s have a very durable metal heatspreader on top of the actual core.

Also make sure you tighten each screw evenly. One way to check is by lifting up the motherboard to eye level after you've tightened the heatsink, and seeing how far each screw comes out on the backside of the motherboard.
 
Thanks. I'm not sure what you mean by "setting" for the fan. The fan is going between 2500-2600 rpm (I assume it's RPMs) according to Asus Probe. I don't know how to change that. I have tried using the smart fan (or Cool and Quiet) setting that adjusts fan speed to CPU temperature, but I get a CPU fan error when I start the computer, so I turned it off. Is there some way to adjust the fan speed on the heatsink?

 
Download Speedfan. Note that the 2500-2600rpm is probably the max that your fan can go, so speedfan can only slow it down and make it quieter.

Temps can definitely vary according to case temp, ambient temp, sensor error, and HSF mounting differences. Remount with a goop-based thermal compound (not thermal tape) and if the temps still don't budge, try giving the whole thing more airflow (ie. give your case insides better ventilation, aim fans at the HSF, etc.)

But all in all 43C is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact it's normal. If you don't plan on overclocking don't worry about it. As a general rule, ambient temp doesn't matter as long as it's normal (which 43C is). What matters is the temps that you get under load.
 
I see. Thanks for the reply. Since the P160 case has two 120mm fans that aren't connected to the MB (just to the power supply), I am assuming that their speed can't be controlled, right? Would it make a big difference if I installed two speed-controllable chasis fans? Just wondering.

Thanks
 
You always have to consider noise as well. The Zalman will be somewhat quiter at the same temp than the stock heatsink.
 
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