Zalman CNPS7000-AlCu Flower HSF Temperature

[wise1oldman]

I have been using Zalman Flower CNP7000-AlCu HSF on my Abit IC7-G main board with 2.8G P4. I have recorded CPU temperatures of low 40's degree C at idle to 55 degree C under SETI@home. These seem high with no overclocking. Is there anything I should be looking for to lower these temperatures? In using Artic-Silver III should it be thick or thin? I made it thin in this installation, is this just an 'art'? I used a razer blade to spread the Artic Silver. I use a CoolerMaster Aluminum Case with three 80mm case fans.
Any help would be appreciated in lowering my temperatures?

 

[Vonkhan]

I have nearly the same setup and temps as yours ... except that my 2.8b is OC-ed to 3.3

The ambient temp is ~32C

 

[sman789]

2.4c@3.0.....idle 39C, browsing the net 42C, gaming mid 50's and with dual primes 60-61C.
using the Zalman paste
(But i have the Cu version, hopefully these are good temps, the Abit temp difference scares me sometimes)

 

[karmasalad]

I just installed mine this weekend.

Make sure that you have the screws in nice and tight so that there's enough pressure on the processor. When I installed it the first time, I was idling around 44C. After posting here and seeing others getting much lower temps, I decided to take it off and remount it again.

My 2.6C is now idling at 30C in an Antec case w/ 4 80mm Panaflo L1As. Under load, it'll go up to around 48C. These are with the fan running at around 1360rpm.

 

[sman789]

wow....wat kind of grease/paste you using?
i screwed it on until i couldnt turn it using little force how hard did you turn it?

 

[Slammy1]

Originally posted by: karmasalad
I just installed mine this weekend.

Make sure that you have the screws in nice and tight so that there's enough pressure on the processor. When I installed it the first time, I was idling around 44C. After posting here and seeing others getting much lower temps, I decided to take it off and remount it again.

My 2.6C is now idling at 30C in an Antec case w/ 4 80mm Panaflo L1As. Under load, it'll go up to around 48C. These are with the fan running at around 1360rpm.

That sounds better. Congrats! I felt bad about not linking you to AS3 instructions, but it sounds like you have things well sorted out. FFR:

Arctic Sivler III
Arctic Sivler Ceramique

 

[karmasalad]

Originally posted by: sman789
wow....wat kind of grease/paste you using?
i screwed it on until i couldnt turn it using little force how hard did you turn it?

I'm just using the packaged thermal grease that came with the HSF. I made sure it was on real tight so I used a good bit of force.

I think the main difference is my application of the thermal grease on the CPU, as Slammy1 alludes to in his post. The first time I did it, I tried using the plastic baggy method, which was just messy and not very precise. Second time around, I used a razor blade to more evenly apply the grease.

Oh, and the 30C I reported was with the A/C on in the room. When I turned it off, it went to idling around 34C. I unplugged two of the Panaflos today (for noise), and it's now idling at about 37C.

 

[sman789]

thats cool, i just ordered some AS3, hopefully it'll break me in the thirties and keep me there

 

[wise1oldman]

Thanks to all. Cleaned my HSF and CPU reapplied Artic Silver 3 and cranked it down tight. No change in temp's. Abit PC health System 36c, CPU 53c and PWM 37c. Hardware doctor 36 c System, 59 c CPU and 40 PWM. Room temp 77 F. Open to any fixes

 

[Slammy1]

Could it be a case cooling solution problem? What are your fan speeds? I run 2400 RPM, which I'm sure makes a big difference. Coming off a SCSI architecture, it sure seems quiet to me.

 

[wise1oldman]

I have 3 case fans running at full rpm and my HSF is running at 2722 My case temp (inside) is 37 C. case is CoolerMaster ATCS

 

[wise1oldman]

Lost Circuits had a review of the ALL Copper version of this HSF and they found that the HSF "clamp" needed to be bent to make a tighter contact. They saw temp spikes in there testing. I don't see the spikes just a higher temp rise. They did a test of the Aluminum and Copper version (like mine) and did not have to bend the "clamp" There temps were in the High 40's c to high 50's c running a P4 3.06. So closer to my temp's.
http://www.lostcircuits.com/advice/

 

[Slammy1]

Hey, I have the CM ATC-201C. I run the 7000CU on my 2.4C, which I o/c to 270FSB on my P4P800. I idle areound 28-30 (idle includes light web surfing and such) and I max at 44C w/in 24hrs of application (running Prime, WinAmp, WMP, ATI TV, WinDVD, Probe, and Control Panel for stability testing). I've heard that there's a difference of ca 10C between Asus and Abit monitors (Asus marketing ploy?), and if you take into account RT (78 F w/ AC) you're actually about right. I was worried my Zalman might be too tight on the CPU (I did bend one side slightly to even it out). Good luck, but it sounds like you're running about right. I used the AS Ceramique for thermal grease, btw.

 

[wise1oldman]

Boy that sure doesn?t leave me any margin for OC does it. You say you have 4 fans, should I add another one in the 'roof'? Or should I look else where for better cooling? The Zalman web forum response was the same as yours "I?m ok"? I'm on Zalman's list for further correspondence concerning this issue. When I get will pass it along. Thanks

 

[Slammy1]

Well, it still might be a failed install. Did you clean the CPU cover really well, make sure you didn't get finger prints on anything, use only a translucent haze and REALLy wipe down the HS with a lint free cloth after application? Remember, it's the metal/metal contact which is transferring the heat, the role of the paste is to fill gaps and to insure good contact. I was also very careful to tighten one screw a turn then the other a turn to make sure the paste was not squeezed toward one side. That's all I can think of, and I'm just quoting the web site. I doon't run any extra fans, but one of the cooling gurus on ABX suggested a fan right behind the Northridge HS for the ATC-201. Said I'd lose a couple of degrees. Also, make sure your air flows are unobstructed. It may be worth an investment in some rounded cables, or maybe just some cable ties. I just put everything in and tucked it towards the outside. There are a lot of others here with a lot more knowledge than myself.