Cooling system recommendations

DreamThrall

DreamThrall

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I had mentioned in one or more previous threads that my CPU (AMD Athlon XP 2800+) is running abnormally high: 64-68C idle, 70-75C loaded. I am now seriously considering an aftermarket cooling system, but I have no idea where to start or what to look for, or even how much to spend. I'd like to get the CPU down to "normal" temp, which I'm guessing from the context of other threads is somewhere around 40C-50C. I'd like to leave the option of overclocking open as well for sometime in the future.

I currently have 4 "stealth" 120mm fans (2 intake, 2 exhaust) in addition to the CPU and PS fans, and I plan on buying the round IDE cables to replace my ribbon cables.

With all that said.... what would you folks recommend?
 
well thats ur problem. stealth fans are silent but dont push alot of air. try making more room in ur case, neaten ur wires up, buy much more efficient fans, get a quality hsf from thermaltake for ur cpu and u should reach ur temps.
 
What are the ambient room and case temperatures?
 
hehe
Guinny, he said he has 4 'stealth' 120mm fans. They move a lot of air!

I would look to getting a cooling solution that uses a large copper heatsink. This way you don't need a high RPM fan to cool it. Also use a dot of Arctic Silver Ceramique Thermal Compound and get rid of the Thermal pad that most heatsinks come with.

Thermaltake and Zalman heatsinks are great choices. I personally like the Thermalright SLK947U heatsink that is very flexable with allowing me to choose my fan.
 
I use a Thermalright SLK800-U and an YS-Tech adjustable fan @ 3200 rpm. Additionally i use four of the same fans for air-flow in my Chieftech (usually i turn them down or half power).
I am very happy with this combination - My Athlon XP 3200+ is around 43C° @ idle and max. 55C° when playing Games.
 
DreamThrall said:
I had mentioned in one or more previous threads that my CPU (AMD Athlon XP 2800+) is running abnormally high: 64-68C idle, 70-75C loaded. I am now seriously considering an aftermarket cooling system, but I have no idea where to start or what to look for, or even how much to spend. I'd like to get the CPU down to "normal" temp, which I'm guessing from the context of other threads is somewhere around 40C-50C. I'd like to leave the option of overclocking open as well for sometime in the future.

I currently have 4 "stealth" 120mm fans (2 intake, 2 exhaust) in addition to the CPU and PS fans, and I plan on buying the round IDE cables to replace my ribbon cables.

With all that said.... what would you folks recommend?
Click to expand...

Four 120mm fans? What case do you have? It must be roomy. Even though the fans are silent, four of them should be more than adequate. I have two "stealth" fans and temperatures are normal.
 
Not sure what case it is... I got it from a friend.... he bought a case which arrived slightly damaged, so he gave me the slightly damaged one for free. Still completely functional though.

Errr.... and I feel slightly stupid, because on second thought, I'm fairly sure they're only 80mm fans :-\

I need the quieter fans, because I use this computer for audio recording. I don't have any sound dampening material or a separate room or anything, so the mic is in the same room as the computer, so the computer needs to be relatively quiet.

The ambient room temp is anywhere from 77F to 85F (in late the afternoon). The case temp usually stays around 40-45C.
 
What's wrong with the tower? And, it seems to me like that case comes with fans...
 
that is a great case, i have a similar one.
 
DreamThrall said:
What's wrong with the tower? And, it seems to me like that case comes with fans...
Click to expand...
Nothing is wrong with the Case and yes it comes with fans.
What is wrong was this.
CPU cooler
The fan i linked would be for the thermalright heatsink because it does not have a fan.
 
Yeah I meant the CPU cooler "tower" ... they call it a tower because it stands out funny like that... not the case. What's wrong with that cooler?
 
First, its a large cooler. Very large.
Second, anytime you have a heavy object the more it hangs out from where it is mounted the more it pulls on the board. That will put a lot of stress on the board. I would be very afraid if that was in my system.
Not to mention it is really ment to cool the furnace known as Prescott (P4e)...not normal CPUs. hehe
Also, your Athlon XP does not have a heatspreader but is open to the core. With the heatsink leaning over inside the case, I would be afraid it would crack your CPU die.

Most Thermalright Heatsinks mount using 4 spring loaded screws that mount it to the board which help keep it level and secure along with a backplate.
 
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