HFS question

[Glendor]

My mobo has HFS mounting brackets that will accomodate a P4 HSF. One of the reviews I rad said this was a great idea, because it opened up the cooling options to a WIDE variety of possible coolers. I'm currently using the AMD stock Retail cooler on my A64, but I have a very nice copper & quiet P4 cooler that I would like to try.

The problem... The contact surface of the P4 cooler is smaller than the slug on the A64.

It's sort of oval, andthe corners of the A64 would not be in contact with the HFS. If the A64 generates heat over 100% of the slug, then I could say that the P4 could would NOT be suitable because of the potential for 'hot spots', but if it generates the majority of the heat in the center of the slug, then I would be tempted to do an experiment with the P4 HFS.

What do you folks think?

Glendor...

 

[Avalon]

Which P4 HSF were you looking at experimenting with?

 

[phaxmohdem]

The majority of the Heat will be in the center of the Chip where the Die is. I have a Coolermaster Aquagate Mini setup on my rig, and the water block is also circular, not hitting the very edges of my FX-51 chip, however the heat went down significantly from my old air cooling.

I'd say go for it. The worst that SHOULD happen is that the computer shuts down frmo overheating. I think you're OK though. try it and let us know what happens

 

[Glendor]

Originally posted by: Avalon
Which P4 HSF were you looking at experimenting with?

It's one of the Zalman flowers, the one with the clear-blue directional duct on the top.

 

[Avalon]

Hmmm...definitely interesting. I can't say for sure.

I know that the die of the A64 only takes up a small portion under the center of the IHS, so most of the heat would be concentrated in the middle of the spreader.

Here is what I would do...underclock your A64 below stock (clock/voltage) to a point where it would be comfortable having a fanless HSF on the chip. Then throw the P4 HSF on top of your chip. The chip will be running too cool at this point to be damaged by a HSF only covering 90% of the IHS. Then start slowly clocking back up to normal levels, and see how it responds compared to your stock chip.

I honestly think it will work fine.

 

[phaxmohdem]

Another solution that just came to mind. (a bit risky though) would be to remove the Heat Spreader, and just stick the Zalman diretly on the die like the old Athlon XP's

 

[Glendor]

It seems to be working fine. After two responses that did not say "Don't do it!!!!" I tried it. I think it's running a couple of degrees warmer, but it is a little quieter, but the 'coolness factor' is way up there

Thanks for the advice.

Glendor...

 

[RichUK]

i would have thought it would run cooler, over the stock HSF.. weird oh well nice to see it worked :thumbsup:

 

[Glendor]

It may come in handy if I get a good deal on a quality HSF, even if it's not made for an AMD, I can still use it.

 

[cpacini]

Almost all of the newer heatsinks are designed to work with either platform.