just got my swiftech mcx4000

[fluxquantum]

i just got this today and installed the heatsink. it came with arctic alumina. i went ahead and put a generic 80mm fan on top since my mechatronic fan is not here yet. i followed the directions properly and the installation went smooth. i have my p4 1.6 overclocked to 2.3 GHz. things are stable after some rigorous testing but i am not happy with the temps. at idle i get about 36 C and load i get about 50 C. i was hoping for lower temps. did i do something wrong? maybe it's the voltage causing this heat. for some reason i have to up the voltage to 1.6V for stability. any comments or advice would be appreciated.

 

[Detselom]

sounds fine to me. hope u applied arctic alumina very very thin on the cpu. my p4 is at that same speed 144fsb 1.6vcore not as hot though 30 idle 42 load. I used artic silver 3 and a volcano 7+. do u have ur fan sucking air or blowing on the cpu heatsink. imo u should have it blowing. Voltage does genrate more heat. But your temperatures are not high. Good clean case w/ proper cooling could drop your idle temperature, if ur case is packed. try re-applying ur grease and report back.

 

[fluxquantum]

okay. here is an update. i took the heatsink out and used some arctic silver 2 instead. i cleaned my case up and removed all the dust. i reversed the fan to blow on the cpu instead of sucking as you had suggested and my temps are outstanding! at idle i am now looking at 30C and at load i am doing about 40C. i am still waiting for my mechatronic fan. thanks for your help.

 

[Mikki]

That's very good info fluxquantum, about the compound. I'm looking at the Swiftech, but I'd like to see a direct comparison between that and an Alpha...
Thanks for the info!

 

[Schnieds]

Mikki,

Here is the direct comparison for you.... personally for the nominal difference in temps, I went with the Alpha and a nice quiet Panaflo fan. I didn't feel that 1-2C was worth the extra $20 for the swiftech...

Alpha vs Swiftech

 

[fluxquantum]

now that outside temps are getting cooler my cpu is running 28C at idle. got to love fall and winter weather