Scythe Infinity - See it in my crammed P180B

[Soul Colossus]

My Scythe Infinity just came in today and I just installed it in my system. Unfortunately I haven't finished getting everything I needed for the E6600 system I want (still waiting on nForce 590) so here it is in my 3 GHz Northwood + 6800GT @ 420/1.13:

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/3161/scinfym2.jpg

This had to be the hardest heatsink install I've done while the MB is still in the case. Even with stuff like the fans and the GPU removed to give me room, the really tight clips were goddamn hard to clamp down. Installing sinks on socket 478 has always sucked, though. It's very light considering how big it is, I think the MCX-478-V it replaced is heavier.

The fan on the heatsink is 79 CFM and 30 dBA--very quiet compared to the MCX-478 and 80mm Tornado combo pictured here: http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/6278/mcx478vtornadomh6.jpg

That Torando without a fan controller is LOUD. I used it for a few years without a controller and got used to it, but when I turned it up after having gotten used to silence I couldn't believe I tolerated it. Quiet 120mm fans are just goodness.

At stock with the MCX and the Tornado (at about half speed), my CPU was at about 35C idle and mid-high 40s on low. Right now with the Scythe I'm idling at 28-29C which is really helping the ambient case temps. My Northwood has been at stock for a long while now since I think I wore out the CPU from previous overclocking, but now that I've got some new cooling and a much better PSU (the Enermax 500w) I'll give it another shot later and maybe update this thread.

I'd like to mention how freaking awesome the MCX is. If it weren't S478 only, I'd have hung on to it for my upgrade.

Update: running 2 instances of Prime95 and it simply will not go above 38C 😛

 

[VinDSL]

Sweet, but your fan is pointed the wrong direction... j/k

*edit*

Hey, I just realized we're running the same CPU -- good choice! :thumbsup:

I'm waiting for Dell and company to finish their lunch, then I'm getting an E6600 too. We must be kindred spirits! You don't have a missing brother, do you?

 

[Soul Colossus]

I thought about directing it upward but with the direction the heatsink was facing it would have been too close to the GPU for my liking. Also it looks like the heat pipes might have inhibited airflow with how they're lined up.

 

[VinDSL]

I like it just the way it is! I'd leave it alone...

If my (back-ordered) Tuniq T-120 doesn't come in soon, maybe I'll do the same!

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: Soul Colossus
This had to be the hardest heatsink install I've done while the MB is still in the case. Even with stuff like the fans and the GPU removed to give me room, the really tight clips were goddamn hard to clamp down...

BTW, I warned ppl about this, as soon as I saw the mounting system -- same as my Mine 3 [pronounced me-nay] -- worst mount I've ever seen!!!

Glad to hear you say the same thing! 😉

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: Soul Colossus
My Northwood has been at stock for a long while now since I think I wore out the CPU from previous overclocking...

OMG!!! I hope ppl don't think I'm spamming, but I keep reading the OP and seeing stuff...

Look, to anyone thinking about overclocking your Northwood -- don't!!! It's not worth the risk, IMHO! Let's face it, as much as I like the Northwood (the P4 came 'of age' with the Northwood), Intel sold us 'crap' for a lot of years...

Source

Overclocking early stepping Northwood cores yielded a startling phenomenon. When VCore was increased past 1.7 V, the processor would slowly become more unstable over time, before dying and becoming totally unusable. This is believed to have been caused by the physical phenomenon known as Electromigration, where the internal pathways of the CPU become degraded over time due to excessive electron energy. This was also known as Sudden Northwood Death Syndrome.

Okay, I'll stop now... 🙂

 

[xmylifeforyoux]

Very nice :]

I just got me a mine 3 for my p4 531 and after I test fitted it I noticed that the copper
base was indented a little. Sycthe does a good lapping job and I think I kinda ruined it,
oh well its not that bad.

 

[Tiamat]

whoa, i didnt know the heatsink was so huge!! What if you run the heatsink with only the case fans cooling it passively?

 

[zodiak]

So sexy. I'm just too lazy to have to take out my MOBO to install one now that I have my wire management optimized.

 

[Soul Colossus]

Originally posted by: zodiak
So sexy. I'm just too lazy to have to take out my MOBO to install one now that I have my wire management optimized.

I was able to do mine while still in the case but it was so tough. When I build my Core2, I'll definitely be doing it before I install the board.

 

[Brahmzy]

Well, after seeing this, I know it'll fit in my P180B. Woot!

I love my Ultra-120, but I think it's gettin' replaced with this thing.