Transfering CPU to new motherboard?

[Cygnus X1]

I want to possibly buy the eVGA 7800GT MB combo and want to transfer my 3200+ processor over to the new motherboard. I have never done this before so I don?t exactly know what to do and how to prep for it.

Monarch built my computer in my sig and used shin-itsu paste or some sort. When I take the stock heat sink fan off the processor what can I expect to see? Do I need alcohol to clean the paste off?

I?m also thinking of buying an after market cooler instead of reusing the stock heat sink? Which one would work for my situation? Case space, ram space, etc?.I is going to keep everything in my sig but the A8V Deluxe MB and video card?

Also I don?t over clock so much and the stock heat sink keeps me at 39c 42c load currently... So could I just clean off the old paste and put on new and keep the heat sink? It?s not even 1 year old. Thanks a lot!

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: Cygnus X1
I want to possibly buy the eVGA 7800GT MB combo and want to transfer my 3200+ processor over to the new motherboard. I have never done this before so I don?t exactly know what to do and how to prep for it.

Monarch built my computer in my sig and used shin-itsu paste or some sort. When I take the stock heat sink fan off the processor what can I expect to see? Do I need alcohol to clean the paste off?

I?m also thinking of buying an after market cooler instead of reusing the stock heat sink? Which one would work for my situation? Case space, ram space, etc?.I is going to keep everything in my sig but the A8V Deluxe MB and video card?

Also I don?t over clock so much and the stock heat sink keeps me at 39c 42c load currently... So could I just clean off the old paste and put on new and keep the heat sink? It?s not even 1 year old. Thanks a lot!

1. ArctiClean
2. Freezer 64 Pro

 

[imported_Kiwi]

I would rather not offer specifics until you fill in a few more blanks. You do need to clean up the goo on the cpu; I use something from the paint department at Home Depot that I think is called "Goo Gone", or something similar (must be the "Goof Off" -- the suggestion was included on a HSF producer's FAQ page somewhere). I didn't need a quart of 70 % alcohol (you don't use rubbing alcohol, as that is mostly water). I use a Q-Tip at first, and a cotton pad to finish up.

In choosing an aftermaket HSF device, consider four things: cooling power, heat level, noise, and size. An A64 is a cool-running CPU that does just fine with a stock retail HSF on it, even when OC'd somewhat. Even with a relatively high level OC, a 3200 should not be running anywhere near as hot as a stock P4 in the 3.2 GHz range. The huge and noisy HSF's like that Freezer 64 Pro are needed for P4 Prescotts, and some faster X2 AMD cpu's (which come with a very good stock heat pipe HSF already).

Many aftermarket HSF's are just plain noisy. There is an excellent web site named FrostyTech that tests HSF's by a rigorous routine, and reports back with cooling capacity and noise levels. I have never used an Antec Sonata for anything, but that is not the kind of case I consider a "performance oriented" box. It might not have particularly good air flow for cooling; that could mean you need a better performance HSF anyway, if you do increase your OC level.

There is a seller on eBay with a large lot of the stock X2 AMD coolers, selling for about $20 including shipping, as a "buy it Now" deal. That is a real bargain. If you had a windowed case (I've not seen a Sonata advertised that had one), there is a particular series of HSF's from Gigabyte that caught my eye because of the bright blue LED's on the fans. It's the Neon8 unit, and it really looks good. If you do anticipate an increased OC level, the Gigabyte "G-Power" is their version of a "Big Typhoon", heat pipe unit with a 120 mm fan (again, bright blue LED's), but it isn't nearly as heavy as the Typhoon is.

But I don't know from you, yet, if it is cooling, looks, quietness, or whatever else that makes you want to replace your stock HSF.

 

[zagood]

Kiwi - hopefully you're not using Goo Gone, that's an oil based cleaner and leaves a residue. Goof Off and other xylene based cleaners are fine. High purity (90%+) rubbing alcohol is widely available in grocery and drug stores, usually much cheaper, and works very well. Acetone can also be used.

Good instructions for cleaning and application of thermal grease can usually be found on the makers' websites. Arctic Silver has some recommendation for their specific products here:

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm
http://www.arcticsilver.com/ceramique_instructions.htm

Read the heatsink reviews that are stickied at the top of this forum category.

Before investing in a new heatsink though, might want to add an intake fan (if you haven't already) to the bottom front of your case. I believe the Sonata only comes with one exhaust fan stock. Check your temps again, if you still want to lower them (and probably make your case quieter) then get a new heatsink.

-z

 

[imported_Kiwi]

The bottle of "G-something" is probably Goof Off, I'll look next time I am in that room -- it's the front BR here, and we are experiencing ridiculously low humidity locally. The cats almost don't want to be petted. So I have been doing other stuff besides picking up electronic parts.

We haven't heard from Cygnus again, so I'll wait on further comment until and unless we do.