My ITX build is failing... :(

[amdhunter]

I built an ITX setup using the following items:

Jetway JNC81-LF
Brisbane 65w 5000+
Apex MI-100 case (Linked to wrong case before!!!)

I am having really bad heat issues (and the case reviews all mention similar problems.) I can solve the heat issues mildly by setting the thermal throttling options in the bios, but this drives the computer crazy when I play back any sort of high-def content. The computer never outright crashes, but you can see it struggle when the CPU throttles down.

I have a question: Would removing the IHS help temperatures any? I've read conflicting reports of removing them on the Athlons. I am going to re-apply the heatsink compound tonight, and might just go ahead and take it off. I really don't care about damaging the cpu if I mess up. It gives me a reason to get a Black edition, or a Phenom.

Another thing: OCCT and other monitoring tools peg the CPU at "only" 73-75C, where the BIOS is claiming 90C+. Which one should I trust? I really don't want to get another case, but if push comes to shove, I might get a shuttle case or something.

 

[perdomot]

First, I would make sure the heatsink is installed properly with the correct amount of thermal paste. Next, I would simply leave the top of the case off. If you don't like seeing the case topless, simply position it so you can't see the top or block the view with something. I'd try putting a small fan blowing on the top as well during operation.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: amdhunter
I built an ITX setup using the following items:

Jetway JNC81-LF
Brisbane 65w 5000+
Apex MW-100 case

Another thing: OCCT and other monitoring tools peg the CPU at "only" 73-75C, where the BIOS is claiming 90C+. Which one should I trust? I really don't want to get another case, but if push comes to shove, I might get a shuttle case or something.

Something is wrong there. There's no way a brisbane 5000+ 65W chip should be hitting 73-75C. Either you got a chip with borked sensors, or something is wrong with your heatsink.
Try switching the heatsink to an AMD 4-pipe heatpipe heatsink. You can get them on Ebay for $20 or so.

 

[BassBomb]

Is the heatsink actually hot to touch? If its not theres your problem the cpu is not making proper contact and thus isnt transferring heat out

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: amdhunter
I built an ITX setup using the following items:

Jetway JNC81-LF
Brisbane 65w 5000+
Apex MW-100 case

Another thing: OCCT and other monitoring tools peg the CPU at "only" 73-75C, where the BIOS is claiming 90C+. Which one should I trust? I really don't want to get another case, but if push comes to shove, I might get a shuttle case or something.

Something is wrong there. There's no way a brisbane 5000+ 65W chip should be hitting 73-75C. Either you got a chip with borked sensors, or something is wrong with your heatsink.
Try switching the heatsink to an AMD 4-pipe heatpipe heatsink. You can get them on Ebay for $20 or so.

The case is too small for a regular heatsink. The heatsink I have now is sort of like a 1U heatsink with a pretty strong fan on it. I applied a decent amount of paste (and thinned it out properly) but the cpu is still overheating. The heatsink is warm-moderate hot when it is installed, so I am sure the paste is doing its job.

Believe it or not, everything is OCCT stable with all Thermal Protection off for 36 hours...but the temps are just horrid.

It just might be bad sensors I guess. Are they on the chip themselves now?

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: BassBomb
Is the heatsink actually hot to touch? If its not theres your problem the cpu is not making proper contact and thus isnt transferring heat out

Yeah, fairly warm to the touch.

 

[Denithor]

You understand (I hope) that these cases are designed for Atom or Geode processors - which have like 5-20W thermal dissipation? A little late now but an X2 4850e (45W) would have been a much smarter choice.

Using a tiny HSF on a 65W processor - it's no wonder you're hitting 72-73C, especially with the crappy airflow in that case (or the lack thereof, really).

And be careful with the amount of thermal paste you use, if you put it on too heavy it will actually act as an insulator and inhibit heat transfer to the HSF. (This is probably a DUH but thought I'd toss it out anyway.)

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: Denithor
You understand (I hope) that these cases are designed for Atom or Geode processors - which have like 5-20W thermal dissipation? A little late now but an X2 4850e (45W) would have been a much smarter choice.

Using a tiny HSF on a 65W processor - it's no wonder you're hitting 72-73C, especially with the crappy airflow in that case (or the lack thereof, really).

And be careful with the amount of thermal paste you use, if you put it on too heavy it will actually act as an insulator and inhibit heat transfer to the HSF. (This is probably a DUH but thought I'd toss it out anyway.)

lol, yeah. I knew from the get-go that I would have heat problems.

The heatsink and fan I have came with the motherboard and was intended for use with [up to] Quad-core Phenoms.

It's more of a hobby build than anything really serious. I believe the Atom processors get hotter than these Athlons (relatively) so I don't think an Atom build would have been better. I considered a 45w'er but I had this CPU lying around for a while doing nothing...I might get a 45w now, but still don't think it would make much difference.

I was just wondering if taking off the IHS would make a difference at all. I was going to try it tonight, but I can't find a blade, and I am not going to rip apart my only razor lol.

 

[Denithor]

Ok, if the HSF is rated for up to X4 chips it sounds like your airflow in that case is even worse than I would have imagined. Hot air through a hot cooler doesn't do much, does it?

Atom single-core runs 4W TDP and dual-core runs 8W TDP. So I kinda think you're wrong with your assumption that they get hotter than the X2 you've got in there. Unless you run one without a HSF at all...

If you destroy your 5000+ replace it with either a 4850e or with one of the new X2 3250e chips (dual core 22W) when available.

Good luck!

 

[Dadofamunky]

I think Denithor ia right. That whole scenario is weird though; the funny thing about thermal paste is that it's SO easy to use too much of it. the last couple times I've installed my HSF on my Intel build I used what I thought was a tiny amount and sure enough, the darn stuff overflowed past the edge of the CPU anyway. Less is More there. But even though its a 65W CPU, it still may be too much. The 4850e is probably the better bet.

Just as an aside, I have a nice little Shuttle St20G5 with a 4800+ X2 S939 chip that I'm flipping over into an HTPC setup. Getting a slightly beefier video card and a BluRay drive for it. I sure wish you luck figuring that thing out. Try to find Zap on the boards around here, he's extremely helpful about SFF stuff.

 

[amdhunter]

Yeah, it's an airflow problem for sure. I took the cover off and watched the temps drop nearly 20C under load...ugh.

The CPU fan sits right under the PSU with maybe 4-5mm of clearance space. This case is just too cramped for this system...

I really want a nice SFF. I saw a nice Lian Li SFF case, but no PSU = This was just something to build in my spare time, and will probably get very little use. Don't wanna drop hundreds into it lol.