Which cpu cooler? - A8N32-SLI & Corsair Twinx2048-3500LL

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Cisco2

Member
Nov 15, 2005
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Originally posted by: AppaYipYip
I use the Zalman 9500 on the same setup: A8N32 and Corsair 3500PROLL.
Another vote for the CNPS9500. I went for it despite good results with stock X2-4400 HS. Went on so quickly and easily I was sure I must have forgotten something....nope, it's just that easy--remove 2 screws, put it on, reattach 2 screws.

All clearances are great, all RAM slots are useable and have lots of breathing room. With my P180 rear exhaust pulling what the Zalman blows = great airflow where it counts most.

I know, I know I sound like a Zalman sales rep (I'm not one, honest) but it's almost like the Zalman was designed with this MB and my case in mind :)
 

Skott

Diamond Member
Oct 4, 2005
5,730
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Does sound like the Ninja isnt the right selection but curious if thats with all RAM modules or just certain ones? Didnt the ASUS A8N SLI Premium mobo have fit problems using Corsair Pro RAM and certain HSF as well? Thought I read it did somewhere.
 

amking

Member
May 22, 2005
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just in case anyone was wondering about the xp-120 or xp-90, this was posted on another forum:

Quote:
Originally Posted by bobov
I've installed xp-120 on my A8N32 without problem, however dimm1 cannot be used.



Dimm 1 can be used, you just have to slide the stick in under the heatsink then it will fit in fine.

I've had the XP-120 and the XP-90 on the board. Best results were with the XP-90 and the fan on the heatpipe radiator. This combo droped mobo temps by 8C.
 

imported_koop

Member
May 9, 2005
35
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Originally posted by: amking
just in case anyone was wondering about the xp-120 or xp-90, this was posted on another forum:

Quote:
Originally Posted by bobov
I've installed xp-120 on my A8N32 without problem, however dimm1 cannot be used.

Dimm 1 can be used, you just have to slide the stick in under the heatsink then it will fit in fine.
Just for anybody wondering, if you install it the way Thermalright instructs, with the over hang almost touching the northbridge heatsink fins and the heat pipes towards the RAM slot, then yes Slot A1 is blocked. From the Thermalright compatibility chart regarding A8N32: " *****The overhanging fins from the XP-120 will slightly come in contact with motherboard?s chipset & North Bridge heatsink near the I/O ports. This will not affect performance of both heatsinks." The RAM slot is definitely closer to the socket than on my A8N SLI Deluxe. Anyone tried A2+B2 (the blue slots)? If they work as well as A1+B1 then not an issue unless you run 4 sticks. Check the QVL list, there is Category B: "Supports one pair of modules inserted into either the blue slots or the black slots as one pair Dual-channel memory configuration", though earlier in the manual it states "When using two DDR DIMM modules, install into DIMM_A1 and DIMM_B2 slots only". Maybe they say that to stop people with without supported RAM from calling support?

You can, however, rotate the XP-120 180° degrees, heatpipes towards to northbridge and overhanging the RAM slots, but the RAM gets most cooling and not the NB the way I would like and Thermalright intended. Rotated this other way not only is there enough room for a regular height stick in A1 but you can even slide it in after the XP-120 is on which can come in handy, but it is a more difficult than and the A8N's as it is just a wee bit closer to the socket under the overhang and no way tall RAM is making it in. Not sure how much better the MB temp would be if I had it installed the other (correct?) way, but right now on a bench in a cool room (19° C/67° F) the 508 BIOS reports mobo idle 38° mobo load 39°, CPU idle 36° C CPU load 45° C (x2 4200+ Panaflo Medium speed @ 7V near silent AS5 stock BIOS settings).

 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,321
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Originally posted by: garikfox
Cool id be interested, I checked a few web site forums most temps for our mobos are around 45-52c in bios. thats with the assumed Buggy BIOS etc.

garikfox you are simply mistaken about buggy bios.
On my system the everst@home and the ASUS Bios as well as the temperature probe are all right on!!

I am running temps in the mid 20`s and under load in the mid 30`s....
 

Cisco2

Member
Nov 15, 2005
26
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Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
garikfox you are simply mistaken about buggy bios.
On my system the everst@home and the ASUS Bios as well as the temperature probe are all right on!!

I am running temps in the mid 20`s and under load in the mid 30`s....

Presumably you are doing that with the A8N32, not the P4P800 on your sig? :)

Most software temp monitors will take their readings from the same place...usualy info passed on by the BIOS... PCprobe, speedfan, everest and the BIOS monitor are all supposed to agree with each other. If an independent high-quality hardware temperature sensor also agrees, well then you've got something.

99.9% of new users with this board are concerned about MB temperatures...a combination of ASUS Probe having the MB alarm set at 45' (it scares many when it first goes off minutes after your first boot into Windows) false expectations that heatpipes all by themselves cool better than HS + fan (they don't, they're just quiet) and yes, temps probably being misreported by the BIOS...the very few posts I've seen where people use temp probes--or just their own built-in "finger probes"--to check temperatures independently, seem to confirm what garikfox said.

Betcha dollars to doughnuts MB temperatures will magically decrease with the next released official BIOS.
 

keldog7

Senior member
Dec 1, 2005
235
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I concur with Cisco2 - temps are going to be taken from BIOS (under windows). Since my last post, my temps have improved...the MB is now running a much cooler 38-39 (can't explain how I got it to go to 50 though...nothing changed with MB cooling - not even fan placement/speed). Either way, 38-39 sounds much better. CPU has also dropped a degree, now averaging 37.
I also run linux, and after lm_sensor and gkrellm install, I notice that there is a third ic on the board with a sensor - it reports a really scary 125 Celcius! Anyone know what's running so hot on this board? I'll have to cross post, since most people are unlikely to read through a RAM thread which has now been hijacked into temperature readings...
On that note, I ordered a Zalman 9500 today, along with a 3pin 92mm Nexus fan (for fan-swap mod of 9500).
-A
 

keldog7

Senior member
Dec 1, 2005
235
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