Upgrading CPU: can/should I use the same Heatsink?

[luciddreams]

Hello:

I am upgrading my AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Winchester 1.8GHz Socket 939 Processor (Retail /w heatsink) to the AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Toledo 2.2GHz Socket 939 (time to go dual-core).

What I am wondering is if the heatsink from the 64 3000 retail is sufficient to cool the X2 4200. I have to admit that I know nothing about the differences in heat with dual-core.

This new CPU is going to be paired with an ATI X1950pro for gaming (like UT3).

I don't want to waste money on a new heatsink if it is not needed, then again, I really don't want my CPU to fry. I do not plan to overlock.

Thank you in advance for any advice,

Lucid

 

[VirtualLarry]

I would use it, and see how your temps are. The better heatsinks are quad-heatpipe with a copper core, and the lowest-end AMD64 retail heatsink is just an aluminum block. So there is a difference, but the question is, how much of a real-world temp difference is there.

Try it out, it can't hurt much, most mobos have auto-shutdown if it reaches too high a temp. Make sure to enable that feature before testing.

 

[robmurphy]

I run the S939 X2 4600. TDP 110W in machines using the orig heatsink. The origheatsinks were for an Athlon 3200 and 3800+, both TDP 89W. I use speedfan setup so once the cpu temp gets above 45C the CPU fan and the case fan start to speedup. The result can get quite noisy. Check the TDP of the 2 CPUs you mention. If they are the same the original heatsink should do the job. If the TDP is greater for the new CPU then it can be made to work using speedfan (or some other fan control software) but may be noisy.

On my machines one of the machines with the X2 4600 is getting back its original 3800+ and the X2 4600 is being moved to a machine were the Artic Cooling Freezer pro will fit. The old heatsinks do the job but they are just too noisy.

I would make sure you have the AMD cool 'n' quiet software installed and working. The X2 CPUs seem to reduce power at idle very well. I have one system with an S939 Sempron 3400+ using onboard graphics. The Sempron machine uses more than twice as much power at idle as the other 2 machines even though they have PCIE graphics cards (ATI X300, Nvidia 6200 TC). The S939 2400+ does not have cool 'n' quiet as the CPU does not support it.

Rob.