Question about using an AMD retail HSF

[Polishwonder74]

I'm putting together a new machine, and I plan on putting in an AthlonXP 2000. My question is: Does anyone have any good/bad experience with the retail HSF unit? I'm thinking about buying the retail version form Newegg, taking the HSF that comes with it, scraping off that thermal interface goo and applying my own Arctic Silver instead.

Normally when I build 'em, I buy a new HSF, so I've never attempted to use the 'free' HSF.

Does anyone think that this is a really bad idea? If it really is a lousy idea I'll just have to drop some extra cash on a better HSF like I normally do.

Thanks for your time!

 

[viivo]

You'd be better off saving the retail HSF with pad intact and getting a third party solution. That way you won't void the AMD warranty because you used a thermal compound other than what AMD recommends (estu-something?)

 

[WobbleWobble]

If you're not overclocking, the retail HSF is fine. It comes with a thermal pad which you scrape off by using a plastic ruler or a credit card and use 90+% rubbing alcohol to clean the rest out.

 

[HardWarrior]

Scrape it off with your nail and remove the residue with something like windex or alchohol. Easy as pie.

Whatever you do, don't use it.

 

[Jhhnn]

The stock units have whiney fans and aren't really suitable for any kind of overclocking. They're a minimal solution, and that's all.

Just order a Speeze Falconrock while you're at Newegg. Not exactly an overclockers' wet dream, but much better than stock, in terms of both noise and performance. Comes with a copper core, triple-tab clip and pre-applied patch of thermal goop, which works just fine. Save the artic silver for some occasion when you just need some goop...

 

[SneakyStuff]

Some mobos manage the noise you know.............

 

[OSUBeaver]

I've been using the stock HSF on my barton 2500 for over 6 months now. I have it clocked at 3200 speeds and my temps aren't that bad. I took off the glue and put AS3 on it. But I am planning to get a sp-97 soon cause I want to overclock higher.

 

[Polishwonder74]

Aw man, yeah maybe I should go for a quieter HSF. I'd hate to have it sound like shiite after all the trouble I'm going to finding quiet fans.

 

[Xeese]

Acetone is another solvent you can use for cleanup. in my experience better than alchohol.

 

[Polishwonder74]

Thanks for all your advice, fellas. Now I'm leaning towards trying to dig up a cooler that will keep an AthlonXP 2000 healthy and be as quiet as possible. There is no chance for overclocking, I'm building it for someone else.

 

[Polishwonder74]

Ok, I'm thinking this looks like the HSF for me.

TR2TT TR2-M2

Does anyone have any experience with this or have a really foul opinion of it? I'm trying to bag a quiet one for like $20 or less and don't plan to overclock at all.

 

[Jaxidian]

I'm assuming that you're looking for something pretty cheap. You might want to consider something like this heatsink (even though it is all aluminum, it is a damn fine heatsink, VERY good performance) with an 80mm fan that is as quiet or powerful as you need it. Generally speaking, 25dB or lower is good if you want quiet. If you want inaudible, go for 20dB or lower.

 

[Jhhnn]

You really can't go wrong with the Speeze Falconrock that I mentioned earlier, if it will fit the board in question, and it will fit most boards. The fan is the rough equivalent of a panaflo 80mm L1A.

One of the other positive considerations is the relatively wide fin spacing, which reduces clogging, a very important consideration when building other peoples' computers. More manual controls than necessary are also to be avoided, no matter what we might do with our own boxes.