Cooling the NB

[Amd For Ever]

Do you need to cool the North bridge when you OC? Doesn't the NB only control PCI and PCIe actions? The PCI and PCIe speeds are locked so they shouldn't be going any faster, which would mean no increase in temp right?? If it does need cooling are a couple case fans on the side panel, front and back of the case good enough?

 

[wwparrish]

Most high performance motherboards do have a heatsink or even a heatsink +fan on the NB. I can help with major overclocks. One trick is to remove the existing heatsink on the NB and get rid of the thermal pad and apply AS5 properly, Even when the manuf applies grease it is usually done poorly.

Several manuf sell NB heatsinks. If you have good case air flow a heatsink without a fan is good and ones with small fans are available.

I use the "rule of thumb" if when overclocked you can leave you fingers on the NB for a long period of time without being uncomfortable, its plenty cool, If you cant keep it on there for 10 seconds think about a cooling solution.