Help with CPU cooling!

[Shagga]

I have a P4 (670) 3.8Ghz running at 3.8 and the stock fan is a loud as our oven extractor when it it's under load.

So anyway, I have been considering upgrading my CPU and Mobo to a new Core 2 Duo setup but don't really want to outlay the money on a new processor, namely the 6800 at the moment as prices are changing everyday by as much as £100 and finding them in stock is also hit and miss.

In the meantime I remembered I had had a Thermaltake XP-90 and a 90mm Silent Cat fan sitting on my desk. It's been there a long time as I couldn't be bothered to take the mobo out just to fit it. Anyway, Last night, I finally broke and conceded that my current CPU cooling was wholly inadequate. I thought I could put up with it but to be honest it drove me nuts.

Bare with me there is a question in here somewhere! 🙂

So I "finally" installed the new/old cooling that had been sitting on my desk for quite some time. Yes, it's a lot better in terms of noise, but I never really stopped to ask if this combination works with such a hot processor.

So, will it be okay? I have yet to run it more than 5 minutes and I also used some Arctic Silver 5 paste which had also been sat for a long time. This doesn't go off does it? Hope not 😀

Cheers all. 😉

 

[Tullphan]

You might wish to consider some new thermal compound since it's possible the AS5 could've gone bad, depending on how it was stored. I'm unfamiliar with the Silent Cat, but the XP-90 is a good heatsink.

 

[Shagga]

Originally posted by: Tullphan
You might wish to consider some new thermal compound since it's possible the AS5 could've gone bad, depending on how it was stored. I'm unfamiliar with the Silent Cat, but the XP-90 is a good heatsink.

Appreciate your time. The Silent Cat has impressive stats. "It claims" to be able to push 52CFM at 21 dBA Silent Cat Link.

The AS5 has never been opened and stored in a dry room and has not been exposed to direct heat or sunlight. Basically been stored away.

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: Shagga

Originally posted by: Tullphan
You might wish to consider some new thermal compound since it's possible the AS5 could've gone bad, depending on how it was stored. I'm unfamiliar with the Silent Cat, but the XP-90 is a good heatsink.

Appreciate your time. The Silent Cat has impressive stats. "It claims" to be able to push 52CFM at 21 dBA Silent Cat Link.

The AS5 has never been opened and stored in a dry room and has not been exposed to direct heat or sunlight. Basically been stored away.

All you had to do was say that it was a TT fan and we could have gotten the laughing over and done with.

The specifications are lies, a 120mm fan can't blow that much air at that low noise let alone a 90mm one.

I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole. Keep it if you're not bothered by the noise but TT dont' do good fans and there is no way on earth that qualifies as a "silent" fan. 😉

 

[Shagga]

It's significantly less noisey than the standard fan and baring in mind I bought this a long time ago, perhaps it was perceived as a good fan back then. Quite a number of people on this forum recommended them to be honest, hence the reason I bought it. 🙂 So are you telling me the specs are FUBAR? If so can you show me a link to a test or something then I'll question the specs with TT.

Cheers. 😉

 

[Bobthelost]

There is no standard (well there is, but only a few people use it) for measuring sound levels, distance angle and how it's mounted all make a difference. FUBAR'd specifications are the norm rather than the exceptions, check out the Scythe fan ratings i think they quote one fan as being 8 dBA which is complete delusion.

For realistic noise ratings check out the yate loon and nexus fan ratings. If they claim to be much quieter at the same speeds / CFM then they are probably being measured from a significant distance (say two buildings) away.

It could be that TT got a decent fan then, they have been known to make that mistake before (the Big Typhoon fan isn't bad at all).

I don't know of any test on it, common sense and knowledge about the subject tells me that a 92mm fan @ 2500 rpm pushing 51CFM is going to be louder than a 120mm fan doing the same. Yate loon are pretty much the best around (or within spitting distance if not the best) and they only get 47CFM for 28dBA with a 120mm one.

 

[Shagga]

Thanks for the insight. Makes sence really. 🙂 "Yate loon"; thats a new one on me so further investigation is required. Thanks once again. 😉

 

[Bobthelost]

Having said all of that, if the CPU fan noise doesn't bother you then that's a decent combination, i'd prefer a SI 120 + 120mm fan, but the difference in performance isn't worth the money you'd spend to upgrade. (ie you shave off a degree or two for $50+)