I'm looking to build an A64 3000+ system (venice). So based on Anand's guide I was going to get the Chaintech VNF4. However, I did some reasearch on Cool 'n Quiet and it seems the VNF4 doesn't support it? For example I read that the Abit AN8 turns off some fans if the CPU is idle...so I am all confused now because it seems that not all motherboards are equal when it comes to noise management! Please help...point me to a guide, or a motherboard, or something...thanks a bunch.
Quietest NF4 motherboard?
- Thread starter OzzieGT
- Start date
I have a VNF4, the early version with passive chipset cooling, and I use Cool 'n Quiet successfully: it lowers CPU temperature about 7C. My CPU is a 3000+ Winchester, don't know whether the Venice BIOS is much different but I doubt it.
In addition to CnQ, I use SpeedFan to control the CPU fan. With the stock AMD cooler the fan spins about 1400 rpm (3300 is max) and is inaudible except when the processor is heavily loaded, causing SpeedFan to increase rpms. The Sonata case has worked out well, the system makes a low whooshing sound if I listen carefully, so it isn't silent but it's close enough for the price. SpeedFan can also independently control the chipset fan which is supplied on later versions of the VNF4.
I like the VNF4 a lot, it satisfies my needs with the only problem being the nVidia driver set, a common adventure which seems to be shared by many NF4 chipset owners.
The nVidia drivers are a crapshoot in my opinion, where one system may have problems and an identical system may work flawlessly. The nVidia firewall seems to be the most common problem area but many other problems arise, visit the nVidia forums to get a feel for this (and the lack of response by nVidia):
http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?s=f3...ead353326152f9b12af806c46&showforum=34
In addition to CnQ, I use SpeedFan to control the CPU fan. With the stock AMD cooler the fan spins about 1400 rpm (3300 is max) and is inaudible except when the processor is heavily loaded, causing SpeedFan to increase rpms. The Sonata case has worked out well, the system makes a low whooshing sound if I listen carefully, so it isn't silent but it's close enough for the price. SpeedFan can also independently control the chipset fan which is supplied on later versions of the VNF4.
I like the VNF4 a lot, it satisfies my needs with the only problem being the nVidia driver set, a common adventure which seems to be shared by many NF4 chipset owners.
The nVidia drivers are a crapshoot in my opinion, where one system may have problems and an identical system may work flawlessly. The nVidia firewall seems to be the most common problem area but many other problems arise, visit the nVidia forums to get a feel for this (and the lack of response by nVidia):
http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?s=f3...ead353326152f9b12af806c46&showforum=34
With all those driver problems, would it be a good idea to look into another chipset? Also how does speedfan work? Being able to use the stock cooler would be nice, since a retail chip can be bought for just a few bucks more. I have just read a lot of reviews about how the stock cooler is really loud so that has me worried...
See my opinions/rants in an earlier thread concerning the nVidia drivers:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=29&threadid=1597495
I live with continuous flogging of my hard drive and occasionally need to click a second time on a link while browsing -- not what I want but I ignore these (no choice, really). Most NF4 owners have no issues with the nVidia drivers or fail to recognize the issues they have are due to the drivers. There is a broad range of possible problems which seem to be due to the drivers. Since you may have no problems or you may have serious problems, as Dirty Harry would say: "Do you feel Lucky?" You do your due diligence research and then you make a choice...
SpeedFan works well for me. The VNF4 has a temp sensor near the CPU and another near the chipset. I use the CPU temp to control the CPU fan speed (of course). The high and low fan speeds can be configured. Then, you specify the desired temp (28C in my machine) and SpeedFan will adjust the fan speed appropriately to hold the temperature at that setpoint. Of course, the setpoint must be reasonable; too low and the fan will be at max all the time trying to cool the CPU to the (unobtainable) setpoint.
With the setpoint=28C, the CPU fan speed on my machine is 1400 when the room is cool (72F), rising to 2200 when the room is 82F, all at idle/browsing the net. The fan becomes audible about 2800+. The fan speed will go to 3300=max at full processor load and the CPU temp will rise to 38-45C, depending on the room temp. All this info is for a 3000+ Winchester with stock AMD cooler and running Cool 'n Quiet.
The AMD cooler at full speed produces a whine/buzz which is obvious because it is louder than the Sonata case fan -- I wouldn't say it is loud, I had an HP which was FAR louder until I changed the fan to a Panaflo and used resistors to slow the fan speed
I mention the nVidia driver problems frequently because I wish I had known about them prior to choosing my new system. Only because then I wouldn't feel I had been sort of snookered.
I'm really pretty happy with the VNF4 and don't think I'd make a different choice if I were to choose again now. But it took a lot of fiddling with the nVidia drivers to get my system to this point - I've learned much more about drivers and their loading techniques than I ever really wanted to know.
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=29&threadid=1597495
I live with continuous flogging of my hard drive and occasionally need to click a second time on a link while browsing -- not what I want but I ignore these (no choice, really). Most NF4 owners have no issues with the nVidia drivers or fail to recognize the issues they have are due to the drivers. There is a broad range of possible problems which seem to be due to the drivers. Since you may have no problems or you may have serious problems, as Dirty Harry would say: "Do you feel Lucky?" You do your due diligence research and then you make a choice...
SpeedFan works well for me. The VNF4 has a temp sensor near the CPU and another near the chipset. I use the CPU temp to control the CPU fan speed (of course). The high and low fan speeds can be configured. Then, you specify the desired temp (28C in my machine) and SpeedFan will adjust the fan speed appropriately to hold the temperature at that setpoint. Of course, the setpoint must be reasonable; too low and the fan will be at max all the time trying to cool the CPU to the (unobtainable) setpoint.
With the setpoint=28C, the CPU fan speed on my machine is 1400 when the room is cool (72F), rising to 2200 when the room is 82F, all at idle/browsing the net. The fan becomes audible about 2800+. The fan speed will go to 3300=max at full processor load and the CPU temp will rise to 38-45C, depending on the room temp. All this info is for a 3000+ Winchester with stock AMD cooler and running Cool 'n Quiet.
The AMD cooler at full speed produces a whine/buzz which is obvious because it is louder than the Sonata case fan -- I wouldn't say it is loud, I had an HP which was FAR louder until I changed the fan to a Panaflo and used resistors to slow the fan speed
I mention the nVidia driver problems frequently because I wish I had known about them prior to choosing my new system. Only because then I wouldn't feel I had been sort of snookered.
I'm really pretty happy with the VNF4 and don't think I'd make a different choice if I were to choose again now. But it took a lot of fiddling with the nVidia drivers to get my system to this point - I've learned much more about drivers and their loading techniques than I ever really wanted to know.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 21K
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 23K
-
-
Facebook
Twitter