What CPU cooler for E8400 and P5Q Pro?

[DJ-phYre]

I purchased the last of my system build last night (the P5Q Pro motherboard), but I am eventually going to want to OC my E8400. I most likely am not going to overclock more than 3.0 -> 3.6GHz which is simply a bump to 400MHz bus. If I go anything higher than that it won't be for consistant basis. I am fine running at 400MHz bus which will also match up with my DDR2 800.

There are reports that E8400 runs fine @ 400MHz on stock cooler, but I would like to be safe. That being said I don't need an expensive cooler. This will be going in a P180 in a Tower configuration so my biggest concerns are weight and noise.

Any suggestions?

 

[Tempered81]

stock cooler is fine for 3.6Ghz

 

[error8]

If you want a decent cooler better then stock, then just get any cooler on the market.

 

[QuadDamage2k]

go water

 

[Magnadoodle]

Xigmatek coolers. HDT-S1283 for example.

 

[kpo6969]

Best bang for the buck AC Freezer Pro 7

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: kpo6969
Best bang for the buck AC Freezer Pro 7

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro versus other coolers.

AC Freezer 7 Pro $16 + shipping at ewiz

 

[Martimus]

Originally posted by: Magnadoodle
Xigmatek coolers. HDT-S1283 for example.

I would go with this one, since it is on par with the best air coolers on the market, but only costs around $35.

Otherwise the Freezer 7 is good if you get it on sale. (I got mine for $20, but they have since gone up in price because they are so popular.) It is an acceptable cooler, but is a little lacking when you try to really overclock. Anandtech Review of the Freezer 7.

 

[walk2k]

Mine runs at 75-76C under full load at 3.6Ghz with the stock cooler. I think that's way too hot, but I really don't know what the limit is. It passed all tests (SP2004 for 20-30 mins anyway) no errors or crashes or anything...

At stock speed (3.0) it runs 55-57c at full load (41c idle). That's only with cpu stress-test type stuff, more like barely 51-53c in games/etc.

At 3.3Ghz (366x9) it still idles around 41-43c (2.2ghz speed-step) and loads mid-60s I think. Personally I don't think it's worth it though, with the ram is underclocked (it's OCZ 1066) the difference in benchmarks is small, the difference in real-world apps/games is probably negligible.

Vcore was left on "auto" in Asus bios, but it did increase (to about 1.31) when overclocking.

So, I'm running it at stock speed for now, but considering a better HSF to run it at 3.6 permanently.

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: walk2k
Mine runs at 75-76C under full load at 3.6Ghz with the stock cooler. I think that's way too hot, but I really don't know what the limit is. It passed all tests (SP2004 for 20-30 mins anyway) no errors or crashes or anything...

At stock speed (3.0) it runs 55-57c at full load (41c idle). That's only with cpu stress-test type stuff, more like barely 51-53c in games/etc.

At 3.3Ghz (366x9) it still idles around 41-43c (2.2ghz speed-step) and loads mid-60s I think. Personally I don't think it's worth it though, with the ram is underclocked (it's OCZ 1066) the difference in benchmarks is small, the difference in real-world apps/games is probably negligible.

Vcore was left on "auto" in Asus bios, but it did increase (to about 1.31) when overclocking.

So, I'm running it at stock speed for now, but considering a better HSF to run it at 3.6 permanently.

Keeping it under 71.6C gives Intel full confidence that it will last 3 years. I wouldnt run it that high, however.

The Freezer 7 Pro that people are recommending = :thumbsup:

 

[disports]

I believe the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 is going for like $19.99 after $20 rebate at microcenter right now if you want to grab it.

 

[walk2k]

It only hits 75-76c in SP2004/Orthos.

During the CPU test of 3dmark06 = 69c.

During the GPU tests = 60-61c.

Will test it with some games now...

HL2 Ep2 = 61-62c (1st core, 2nd = 56-58c).

ETQW: 61-63c.

 

[walk2k]

Alright I did some more tests.

^^ Above results at 3.6 (400x9) - ram 1066.

Now at 3.2 (355x9) - ram at 1068 (tested stable in memtest86+):
SP2004= 66c max.
3dmark06 GPU tests= 53-55c.
3dmark06 CPU tests= 60-61c.
HL2-Ep2= 51-54c (core0 is always 1-2c higher)
ETQW= 51-53c.

At 3.6 = 13.9k 3dmark06
At 3.2 = 13.5k

SO... is 400 3dmarks really worth +10c??
Stress test 76c max vs 66c, and just about 10c in games also.

Yeah, think I'll stick with 3.2 for now...

 

[bludragon]

I've just installed a XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 onto an E8400. The thing completely dwarfs the stock cooler. I need to do some more testing, but Temps are ~43 degC on each core running orthos. That's with the fan at ~1250rpm. It does emit an audible hum at that speed. I set the fan speed profile to normal in the P5Q-Pro bios - it's not audible until both cores are loaded, so I may try a lower speed profile. I'm also not sure if I should believe the ASUS temps or not - the room is probably ~22, so I would expect case temp ~30. This is at stock speed and volts (reported as 1.2 Vcore). Anyway, I think the various reviews prove that this thing should provide plenty of cooling capability and reasonable noise levels.

One thing the reviews don't mention is that I found it a serious pain to get that thing installed. It fits ok, but getting onto the push pins in a way that I can put enough pressure on them, with it inside the case, was a challenge to say the least. My case does have a slide out mb tray, but unfortunately, the heatsink was ~1cm too high to slide in when it was attached. Two of the push pins are under the fan - the recommendation is to install the heatsink, then install the fan. In my case I installed the fan first as I feared the challenge of installing the fan inside a crowded case. In retrospect, it may have been easier the other way around.

Regarding the Freezer 7 Pro - I had one on my athlon64, and at top speed it did make some noise, but using the ASUS mb fan control it never span up that much, and was therefore never heard. I'm not sure if the fan would be the same on the current version though.

 

[walk2k]

You have to use SpeedFan or similar for CPU core temps!

DO NOT TRUST THE ASUS PROBE TEMPS! They are crap, and frankly, dangerous for overclockers.

Asus probe says my cpu runs -10c BELOW CASE TEMP. and about 69 deg F, when the room temp is 75F.... Uh yeah right.

If yours says 43c it could really be 20-30c higher than that. Get yourself a copy of SpeedFan/etc pronto.

 

[disports]

Use real temp or core temp!

 

[Tempered81]

An E0 E8400....

Originally posted by: walk2k
think I'll stick with 3.2 for now...

Really? heheh

 

[bludragon]

Yep, my correct core temps are 55 degC after 10 hrs of orthos in a warm room. (e8400, stock speed, volts)
ASUS reports 46, which is reported as cpu temp, not core temp in hardware monitor and speedfan

 

[walk2k]

Originally posted by: jaredpace
An E0 E8400....

Originally posted by: walk2k
think I'll stick with 3.2 for now...

Really? heheh

Really.

76c is too damn hot and is only a few points in a benchmark over 66c.

I'll take 50% reliability over 3% increase in benchmarks every single day.

Sure, I could spend $25 on a cooler but... I didn't. Yet.

 

[walk2k]

Originally posted by: bludragon
Yep, my correct core temps are 55 degC after 10 hrs of orthos in a warm room. (e8400, stock speed, volts)
ASUS reports 46, which is reported as cpu temp, not core temp in hardware monitor and speedfan

That's about right, mine stock is 55-57c in Orthos.

Asus CPU temp is way low, ignore it.
It says 32c idle (real = 41c)
And 61c load (real = 66c)
So at least 5-9c low.

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

Before getting a new cooler, I'd get some aftermarket thermal paste. You could see better temps w/ stock cooler, and you'll probably use the paste w/ a new hsf anyway

 

[WT]

Best bang for the buck AC Freezer Pro 7

:thumbsup: Yet another vote for this one.

 

[Diogenes2]

Originally posted by: bludragon
One thing the reviews don't mention is that I found it a serious pain to get that thing installed. It fits ok, but getting onto the push pins in a way that I can put enough pressure on them, with it inside the case, was a challenge to say the least. .....

You might try this ..

XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket

Saved me a lot of grief ..