|HELP| Newb needs HeatSinkUnit solution for Socket A {AthlonXP 2600+}

[i3lueHorneT]

NOTE: Thread where this issue originates from:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1814288&enterthread=y



Let me add in a copy paste from the originating thread here:

FORUMS > GENERAL HARDWARE > "|HELP| Computer crashes minutes after startup {WinXP} {SysTweak ASO}, -Possibly Overheating/WinXP/'Advanced System Optimizer' Issue?" Thread

Originally posted by: pkrush
The best heatsink you can get for Socket A is a Thermalright SI-97 (you'll also need to get a fan to put on it). If you don't want to spend that much, then anything with at least a copper base and an 80mm fan should cool fine. Arctic Silver is still the best thermal paste, but it's only about a 3-5C difference from the OEM white stuff.

That's exactly what I've gathered so far (been searching around a bit since my last post) both in regards to the SI-97 as well as the the AS-5, of which I may go with Ceramique http://www.arcticsilver.com/ceramique_instructions.htm as I've heard its easier to work with and non-capacitive (though slightly lower #C results).

The HSU however good it may be is out of what I'm wanting to spend (more like 1/2 that for $15 max on a complete solution, not $35 on solely the HSU), should I want to upgrade down the road then fine. Right now I'm leaning on either just grabbing a fan that fits the demensions (which I don't want to do as I'd rather get something that I've had specific reviews for dBA considerations esp) to slap it on for now. I already have a second HSU when ABS had to replace the DOA one the sent me originally on first PC order they send it out packaged together, so its sitting here brand new should the current HSU be faulty as well.
/[END]

So what in the following applies to me?:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=37&threadid=1723066&enterthread=y

Any links at this site that break down other HSU options that may be usefull for me to give a look over? Recent threads etc. of similiar?



This is what some rather quick various forum's stickies researching leads me to:
HSU Solutions:
MASSCOOL 5F394B1L3G 80mm Copper HSF <-Anything on this?

ARCTIC COOLING COPPER LITE CPU COOLER FOR AMD K7 <-Out of stock?

Thermalright SI-97A Heatsink <-Well over what I'm willing to spend, doesn't include fan, doubt you'll convince me.

Thermal Compund:
Artic Silver 5: http://www.arcticsilver.com/instructions.htm
Ceramique: http://www.arcticsilver.com/instructions.htm
^-should I go for the ease of use of Ceramique over AS5 losing all but a few #C's improvement?


Please forgive the huridness I'm nearing my 3rd day of this issues and deadlines for a couple different projects are coming up on me here and each of the posts in my original thread each took a considerable amount of time to write up, most well over 1-2 hours. That is to say, please direct yourself to the original thread, this one being left solely for heatsink evaluation whereas the original was diagnosing the issue, my posts I've tried to keep fairly tidy with hearders and recaps etc., so if you don't mind taking a moment to skim through it before replying that would really help.
/Post what you would want to read should you be in my position. Thanks.


peace,

 

[Painman]

My, are you ever a wordy one :Q No offense, you're unfamiliar with the territory and trying to be thorough. That's good.

I think it's the fan. Or maybe an issue with the power header on the motherboard that the fan plugs into, and/or the QFan feature, but most likely the fan.

The RPM readout goes to 0 after a while, that's fishy. Fans will sometimes do this when they are spinning, but spinning very slowly. Slower than they're meant to.

The desk fan keeps CPU temps out of the red zone - this proves that your heatsink, its retention clips and thermal junction (thermal compound) are working.

You'll have to provide more information to head further down this road, namely the size of the fan that's currenty on the heatsink. In mm if possible, but we're smart enough to convert from inches if that's all you can provide. Length and height. Is it a standard fan type, with screwholes or journals on all 4 corners, or some other configuration? How is it attached to the heatsink? Can you take a digital picture and upload it to a host?

Luckily, fans are relatively cheap, and in here, we can tell you a hell of a lot about fans.

 

[i3lueHorneT]

Originally posted by: Painman
My, are you ever a wordy one :Q No offense, you're unfamiliar with the territory and trying to be thorough. That's good.

I think it's the fan. Or maybe an issue with the power header on the motherboard that the fan plugs into, and/or the QFan feature, but most likely the fan.

The RPM readout goes to 0 after a while, that's fishy. Fans will sometimes do this when they are spinning, but spinning very slowly. Slower than they're meant to.

The desk fan keeps CPU temps out of the red zone - this proves that your heatsink, its retention clips and thermal junction (thermal compound) are working.

You'll have to provide more information to head further down this road, namely the size of the fan that's currenty on the heatsink. In mm if possible, but we're smart enough to convert from inches if that's all you can provide. Length and height. Is it a standard fan type, with screwholes or journals on all 4 corners, or some other configuration? How is it attached to the heatsink? Can you take a digital picture and upload it to a host?

Luckily, fans are relatively cheap, and in here, we can tell you a hell of a lot about fans.

Quickly here and I can return after a bit and edit in something more complete:


power header on the motherboard: Ah yes, I read a post on testing that by using another power outlet instead of the MOBO's, I can test it and report back.

but spinning very slowly: It does often read sub 1000 levels now in the ASUS Probe utility.

its retention clips and thermal junction (thermal compound) are working: Great.

You'll have to provide more information to head further down this road: Default shipped with: "Copper Based - XP Cooler - MicroFin - Model #: DC1206BM-L/610-P-CU" the fan is the same one that comes with that, could have sworn I saw someone post dimensions for it in some thread I was reading but didn't bother to bookmark it or save dimensions. Looks pretty basic square/standard to me, four holes one each corner, attaches to the top of the heatsink and runs flush with it, its VERY small compared to anything I see during this research phase, height wise. I don't have a digital camera. I'll come back with the correct dimensions in a bit.
/Thanks.


peace,

 

[Painman]

Is this it?

Down the page it says, "Also Available in DC1206BM-L/610-P-CU" (with a misdirected link); the only difference is the fan. You appear to have the 60 x 10mm 5300 rpm fan.

This heatsink/fan can be bought for $12 shipped @ Newegg, but that gets you a wasted heatsink, some work you may not be comfortable with, and another cheapo fan...

 

[Zepper]

Masscool/Spire make very good inexpensive HSFs for sock- A. Their WhisperRock and FalconRock models. (I reviewed the WhisperRock here: http://www.techimo.com/reviews/ ) I prefer the FalconRock now because of the copper base and 3-hole clip but it is more expensive.. I have a WhisperRock here that's new in the box. If you're interested in it, PM me

 

[Jhhnn]

The small 60mm square X 10 mm thick fans on lots of oem heatsinks are usually cheaply made, and the bearings gunk up pretty quickly.

Shut down the computer, remove the fan, and peel back the label on the fan. You should be able to see the end of the fan hub shaft in a small depression. Apply a single drop of motor oil or similar, spin the fan so that the oil gets distributed into the bearings. Reassemble.

That should get you by for awhile. Read the label on the fan while you're in there, so that you can buy another fan of similar airflow and power consumption to replace the old one, and be sure to clean any collected dust/lint out of the fins, too...

If the newer fan is thicker, that's ok, so long as there's clearance and you can get longer screws to mount it. Take the old fan& screws along with the new fan to the hardware store to get it right the first time... Radio Shack, Best Buy, CompUSA and similar all carry suitable replacement fans. Again, take the old one with you to get it right...

Zepper's right about the falconrocks, they work well at low noise levels...

 

[Painman]

I was looking around @ fans of that dimension that would be suitable replacements (equivalent CFM). Hard to find such a fan at the usual PC modding shops. You can get one at a place like Mouser, but the cost is equivalent to a whole new cooler.

A thicker fan with good CFM is easy enough to find - if the existing mounting screws are #4 or #6, a hardware store will have a set of longer ones for around 25 cents. Finer gauge screws than that are hell to find outside of a specialty fastener co. like Fastenal, and even then they are usually special order. I just went through a screw-finding ordeal like that recently.

Maybe Zepper's spare HSF is the way to go - shame to have to toss a perfectly good heatsink, but it may be the most inexpensive and sensible solution.

 

[i3lueHorneT]

That should get you by for awhile. Read the label on the fan while you're in there, so that you can buy another fan of similar airflow and power consumption to replace the old one, and be sure to clean any collected dust/lint out of the fins, too...

HSU with what? Q-Tips?

MASSCOOL FalconRock 5F286B 80mm Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink - Falcon: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835150023
MASSCOOL 5F394B1L3G Full Copper Heat Sink CPU Cooler - Seriers = UNLISTED?: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835150040
MASSCOOL WhisperRock II 5F263B1M3 80mm Ball Cooling Fan/Heatsink - WhiperRock II: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835150010
Noise: They all show the same dBA, what am I missing? These are pretty much the options I'm looking at right? I'll check out the current fan dims. later, but outside solely a fan the above 3 are my best bets right? Looking to go with something fairly quiet if possible.

*EDIT: Fans:
MASSCOOL FDC08025S1M 80mm Sleeve Cooling Fan: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835150044

People say this is quiet and only noise would be the air moving through something, having this attached to the Masscool Copper would make a lot of sense right? Copper runs it cooler, and the nonstock fan would work a lot better and quieter right? Thought the dBA is the same as all the others, the reviews keep saying otherwise.


*EDIT: Current Fan Specs:
Measured: 60x60x10mm
[Fan Top Sticker Reads]:
Top Motor
DF1206BH
(DC1206BM-L/610-P-CU) DC12V 0.3A
DYNAEON INDUSTRIAL CO.LTD.
/Thanks guys, been a great help.


peace,

 

[Painman]

All 3 of those Masscools would be quieter than what you have. No need to get a different fan for them, really.

 

[Zepper]

I prefer either all aluminum or an Al-Cu combo over all copper as aluminum really does dump the heat better than Cu. Cu will need more surface area on its fins or more fan to do as good a job as and Al-Cu heatsing - and that makes the fins pretty flimsy and easy to damage. I convinced myself of this by studying the various thermal coefficients of the two materials in the "Handbook of Chem & Phys".

.bh.

 

[Baenwort]

Look in the Hot Deals forum. Frozencpu.com has a $9.99 on the Noisecontrol Silverado. Do a search it was on a lot of sites back in the day. I think Anandtech and HardOCP did reviews of it. I'm not sure where it stacks up against modern HS as I haven't seen it included in a review in a while but it is cheap and it was a good HSF combo.

 

[pkrush]

Out of the coolers you linked to, I'd go with the Masscool Falconrock (the copper base really helps with Athlon XP's). As for thermal grease, you should be perfectly fine with whatever comes with the heatsink, since you're probably not going to be doing any extreme overclocking with it.

 

[BuckNaked]

You might also check the For Sale forum... there are some great deals in there on older stuff. Not to push my own ad, but I have an essentially new Alpha 8045 with all the mounting HW for $10 plus shipping. This was one of the top heat sinks for socket A in its day. I am sure there are other deals there as well.