Passive northbridge cooler question

[acegazda]

Are there any passive northbridge coolers that do not obstruct the pci-e x16 slot on the asus a8n-e? Could you link me to one?

 

[dawza]

You can use the A8N-SLI Premium heatpipe cooler on the A8N-e and SLI/SLI-deluxe:

Link

You will have to remove the existing VRM heatsink, as the heatpipe intergrates the chipset and VRM heatsinks.

Inexpensive, works well, silent, and as low-profile as the stock fan. For about 2x more $$$, you could use the Chip Force/Jing Ting.

 

[acegazda]

that looks awesome, i was totally unaware. Do other companies make similar heatpipe coolers? Can you use the copper heatipe cooler that comes with the a8n32 on the a8n-e?

 

[En Sabah Nur]

i have the a8nsli premium.. so i don't know specifically what would work with your mobo/pci-e. but the heatpipe does work well, and i actually have a dinky heatsink sitting on top of the block thing.


i say get out the ruler. there are a number of chipset coolers with and without heatpipes, but they're all different shapes. there's the thermalright hr-05. looks like it'll work: http://www.thermalright.com/a_page/main...ort_faq_motherboard_hr05_socket939.htm

 

[acegazda]

Thanks and Welcome to the AT forums. Actually I like the look of the a8n32-sli copper cooler. I'll email asus and ask about compatability.

 

[dawza]

Yeah, the HR-05 is another option- it is big, but you have several mounting options if you need to rotate it out of the way.

No other company makes a heatpipe similar to that of the ASUS- in fact, as far as I know, ASUS is the only manufacturer that sells an aftermarket/replacement heatpipe cooler for its MBs.

I don't think the A8N-32 heatpipe will work on the A8Ne/SLI. The A8N-32 heatpipe intergrates two chipset blocks plus the VRM heatsink, while the A8N Premium heatpipe only consists of a single chipset block + VRM heatsink. It would seem that the second chip block of the A8N-32 heatpipe would interfere with something on the A8N board.

Here is a link to my installation process and results, with some pics on the next page. The entire thread (and many analagous threads on other forums) should give you fair warning that no matter what heatsink you ultimately end up using, replace the POS stock NB fan/fan housing. As you will see from the pics, I also ended up sticking an additional small heatsink on top of the block (flat surface + radiating heat = me unable to resist slapping another chunk of metal on top).

 

[m21s]

Originally posted by: acegazda
Thanks and Welcome to the AT forums. Actually I like the look of the a8n32-sli copper cooler. I'll email asus and ask about compatability.

Could you let us know what they say
As I am insterested also.

Thanks

 

[openwheelformula1]

That copper hetapipe won't fit your A8N-E. Get the A8N SLI Premium heatpipe from Asus for about $20 shipped.

 

[acegazda]

ok...ill ask anyway, unless you have it and can tell me theres no way

 

[acegazda]

well I called asus, they wouldn't answer my question by email, and they said the a8n32-sli copper heatpipe is NOT compatible with the a8n-e but the heatpipe for the a8n-sli premium is. Openwheelformula1, you were right. Thanks guys.