Northbridge DS3

[pakman134]

Hey guys, I just put together my computer and everything seems rock stable. I used E6600, DS3, OCZ PC1066 Ram, and Ultra-120 Extreme. My ram is running at 4-4-4-12 at 800mhz and I overclocked my processor to 3.2ghz(8x400fsb). I've tested stability and i passed both memtest and I'm orthos blend test stable for 12 hours.My core temps are around 45C-52C under full load and 25C-30C at idle.

My only problem is that my MCH/Northbridge seems to get pretty hot (I can put my finger on it for about 3 seconds). Some people told me I'll be fine with my modest overclock but others told me that I needed a new fan/hs for it. Will the northbridge be okay or do I need to put a new fan/hs on it? Thanks for the input.

 

[AkumaX]

it gets hot, i'd recommend a small 40mm fan just for kicks

 

[thilanliyan]

I was getting random lockups with mine until I figured out the NB was blazing hot. I put a fan on it and it cured the problem. Later on I put the Thermalright HR-05 and it can run passively and keep it cool.

 

[Conky]

Attach a fan. Text

 

[IceRedwing]

same, my passive cooling for the northbridge wasn't cutting it with the fairly large overclock. I bought a heatpiper NB cooler and I was actually able to squeeze more out of it

 

[tallman45]

I also put on the HR-05 and is is significantly cooler, no need to put on a fan but there is that option

 

[pakman134]

ah alright thanks guys. My only problem is that I have the thermalright ultra-120 extreme mounted east/west (vertical) so that the fan points towards the case fan on the back of my case. I thought i'd be able to stick a 40mm fan on the northbridge but the wire clips that hold my scythe s-flex fan on my heatsink look like they'll get in the way. Also the heatsink kind of hovers over the northbridge. I'm not too sure if that makes any sense =p. I can try and take a picture if it doesn't.

Would an Antec SpotCool fan pointing at my stock northbridge hs on the DS3 provide adequate cooling? or maybe i should mount my ultra-120 north/south? What do you guys think would be the best option?

 

[Zardnok]

What are the odds that you could mount a fan to the bottom side of your U-120X aimed down at the NB? Perhaps use wire ties to mount an 80mm fan blowing down across your RAM and NB??

 

[pakman134]

Originally posted by: Zardnok
What are the odds that you could mount a fan to the bottom side of your U-120X aimed down at the NB? Perhaps use wire ties to mount an 80mm fan blowing down across your RAM and NB??

Hm... just took another look at it and heres some pictures.

Side
Top

Just took measurements and realized I should be able to mount a 40x40x10 fan on top of the north bridge. I have ~1.5 cm clearance before the ultra-120 extreme gets in the way. Would a 40mm fan provide better cooling than the Antec SpotCool fan? Sorry I'm so persisitent about this but I don't like the idea of superglueing just incase I have problems with my board down the road and have to RMA, but if thats my best option I'll go on with it. Thanks!!

 

[IceRedwing]

you could just buy an actual copper northbridge cooler for the price of that fan. There are a couple that have an adjustable setting so you can make it fit.

If you want an example lemme know, I'll PM you some pictures

 

[MotF Bane]

Best way: PCI 80mm slot cooler, squeeze it into an expansion slot between NB heatsink and video card, works wonders for me.

 

[aclim]

im running a thermalright hr-05 on mine, works great. Its passive right now but I have a 80mm fan im gonna put on it. It runs col, can touch it and set my hand on it even under full load, just gets a little warm

 

[Zardnok]

Originally posted by: pakman134

Originally posted by: Zardnok
What are the odds that you could mount a fan to the bottom side of your U-120X aimed down at the NB? Perhaps use wire ties to mount an 80mm fan blowing down across your RAM and NB??

Hm... just took another look at it and heres some pictures.

Side
Top

Just took measurements and realized I should be able to mount a 40x40x10 fan on top of the north bridge. I have ~1.5 cm clearance before the ultra-120 extreme gets in the way. Would a 40mm fan provide better cooling than the Antec SpotCool fan? Sorry I'm so persisitent about this but I don't like the idea of superglueing just incase I have problems with my board down the road and have to RMA, but if thats my best option I'll go on with it. Thanks!!

I am not familiar with the Spot Cool fan. I don't like small fans. They tend to make a loud whining noise. From the top picture, I see one empty hole on the fan that you can use for one wire-tie mount. Maybe use a wire-tie on the metal bracket on opposite side and mount an 80mm firing down attached to side of HS. You don't need a lot of pressure, just steady flow.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

quick question:
on the 965P DS3 motherboard, with a thermalright u-120 extreme, will the hr05 still fit on the northbridge?

 

[aclim]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
quick question:
on the 965P DS3 motherboard, with a thermalright u-120 extreme, will the hr05 still fit on the northbridge?

yes it will but u wont be able to run a fan on it, unless u run a fan on the opposite side but it will blow into the cpu heatsink. I got the sli version that way you can run a fan away from the cpu

 

[yacoub]

Originally posted by: AkumaX
it gets hot, i'd recommend a small 40mm fan just for kicks

Yeah, might as well completely whore the noise levels in your system just to cool the nb properly. Wow, I definitely wouldn't buy that board lol.
Give me something that can adequately cool it passively or don't bother. ;(

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
quick question:
on the 965P DS3 motherboard, with a thermalright u-120 extreme, will the hr05 still fit on the northbridge?

I will tell you in a few days when I get them both.

 

[AkumaX]

Originally posted by: yacoub

Originally posted by: AkumaX
it gets hot, i'd recommend a small 40mm fan just for kicks

Yeah, might as well completely whore the noise levels in your system just to cool the nb properly. Wow, I definitely wouldn't buy that board lol.
Give me something that can adequately cool it passively or don't bother. ;(

jeez mine does the job just fine with a fanbus set to low

 

[pakman134]

Originally posted by: aclim

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
quick question:
on the 965P DS3 motherboard, with a thermalright u-120 extreme, will the hr05 still fit on the northbridge?

yes it will but u wont be able to run a fan on it, unless u run a fan on the opposite side but it will blow into the cpu heatsink. I got the sli version that way you can run a fan away from the cpu

Ah didn't realize that, I'll just go with that option. Thanks guys.

 

[five4o]

I think the heatsink is the problem on these boards. I threw a 50mm fan on mine and it didn't seem to have an effect on the NB one bit, 44°c before and after.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: Navid

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
quick question:
on the 965P DS3 motherboard, with a thermalright u-120 extreme, will the hr05 still fit on the northbridge?

I will tell you in a few days when I get them both.

I have them both installed inside a Super Lanboy case.
I have installed the CPU cooler horizontally to provide more space to the chipset cooler. Otherwise, the two coolers would be too close.

I also had to move the case exhaust fan to outside the case. This would not have been necessary if I had not installed the CPU cooler horizontally.

Edit:
I have not overclocked anything yet (E6600).
At default, Core 1 is at 33C and the chipset is at 36. This is shown by Everest.