AMD64 HSF/Temp Questions

[airrob]

I currently have an AMD64 3000+, Newcastle Core, running at stock speeds on stock cooling. Currently running at 44C idle, gets up to around 60C full load. My case temp is around 35C.

1. Are these temps too high? I am having some stability problems (see http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=922251 ), and feel like heat may be the issue.

2. If I were to get a new HSF, which one is a good one to get? The XP90 seems to get a lot of recommendations, but others are fine. Something that cools well and is quiet. Maybe even one that will let me overclock a bit. And where to buy from? Something not too expensive.

3. How difficult is it to remove the stock HSF and put on a new one? Do I have to change the locking clip on the motherboard? How do I clean out the thermal pad and put in Arctic Silver?

 

[z-zar]

Your idle and load temps are a bit high. 60C is really pretty much the absolute max you want to run on during normal gaming. It'll help to replace the stock cooler with a better one.

For good cooling and quietness, you could go with a Zalman 7000AlCu or Cu, the latter being slightly better in cooling performance but at the cost of substantial added weight. They are nice and quiet though. Should bring down your temps a bit. They go for ~$40-$45 on different web sites and come with built-in 92mm fan. Installation is a bit of a hassle ssince you have to take your motherboard out of the case in order to replace the HSF bracket backing plate on the back side of the motherboard before installing the heat sink.

Another option is to go with one of the best air coolers on the market, the XP90. Goes for about $45-$50 online but you need to spend another $8 or so on a 92mm fan which is not included. This cooler is really nice and will lower your temps quite a bit. You can find plenty of reviews on the web. Installation is easier in that you won't have to remove your mobo from the case since it uses the stock heat sink backing plate.

To get your stock heat sink off, run some heavy CPU loading game or application to warm up your heat sink. Then shut down PC, unscrew/unlock any heat sink clamping mechanisms and slowly twist heat sink back and forth until it comes off. Clean your CPU with isopropyl alcohol and remount new heat sink with fresh thermal compound, either what came with your new heat sink, or better yet arctic silver 5. Make sure to read the application procedure on the arctic silver website.

 

[cornelious0_0]

At this point I'd first try removing the stock cooler, cleaning up the base...and re-seating it with a very thin, new layer of Arctic Silver. If there is no change in your temps after a few days, then you might wanna look at a new cooler.

First off, what is your room temp like?

60C isn't going to kill your CPU, so if all you're concerned about is the abnormally high temps (especially for stock clock) I would look more at an "all in one" option. For a fairly cheap allinone cooler that'll lower your temps enough to stop worrying about them, and do it very quietly (compared to the stock HSF) I'd recommend the Zalman CNPS7000-ALCU. There are better fans, but I don't see why you really NEED a lot more then this.

I'd start looking at something more along the lines of the XP-90 and a nice fan only if you are going to be doing some respectable overclocking with that CPU. Even if you decide to bump it up a bit the 7000-ALCU will hold steady for ya, but I'd start with that.