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Socket A Cooling Conundrum

R

RoboTrip

Weaksauce
Joined
Aug 30, 2003
Messages
77
My problem arises because I thought that I was going to be running a NF7-S, which is incompatable with the Zalman (at least according to its motherboard compatibility list), so because I wanted a quiet solution I bought the Thermaltake Silent Boost. Unfortunatly the motherboard (I bought it second hand) didn't work, so I decided to just pick up a new A7N8X-E after returning the NF7-S.

However, this means that I could now get the better, Zalman 7000Cu because its compatable with my new motherboard. So, what I'm asking is - is there enough of a difference in quality that I should go to the trouble of selling the Silent Boost and getting the Zalman?

Please note that I'm not asking which is better, because I know that the Zalman kicks the Boost's ass, but instead if its enough of an asskicking to justify the hassle of selling the TT.

For reference - I will be running my 45W Mobile 2400 at a gentle 10 x 200 or 10.5 x 200 with Ceramique, and I also have a side air duct for the processor so I shouldn't be putting out a horrible amount of heat to begin with.
 
i would tend to say that throwing any more money at a socket A system is a waste, and that you would be better off putting the additional money that you would have to spend to get the zalman aside, to save for an athlon 64 based system.
 
Perhaps I should mention that I am a full time College student, who is also working a full time unpaid internship. I bought an XP-M system to get a decent upgrade that would let me play some games and the like until I graduate in 2 years and can start working for something other than experience.

Since I have no steady income, I'm just looking to fix the little things that I can on my curent budget, which is why I ask - Is it worth it to replace the cooler in my system, assuming I will be running it mildly overclocked with an expected life of about 2 - 2.5 years?

Any replys pertaining to my question would be greatly appreciated.
 
You're running a very modest overclock... keep the Silent Boost unless you're bothered with the temperature readings (which shouldn't be that bad).
 
IMHO it's not really worth the hassle, unless your cooling is horrendously bad with the Thermaltake. It should not be, though, since the TT SilentBoost is one of the better coolers they offer. You'd have to remove the motherboard to install the Zalman, and I don't see a significant increase in removal of heat.

One thing I would recommend, though, is keeping your core voltage below 1.7. That's about the break point on the mobile AXPs. Above that core voltage setting the core throws a crapload of heat. Better to just scale back on the overclock than to risk overheating. Processor temperature should be kept below 50 deg. C under load, to keep stability optimal.

Assuming you are really interested in improvement, go for the Thermalright SI-97 with a Panaflow 92 mm. medium speed fan. This worked on my wife's PC without a massive increase in noise.
 
also full time student over here, but i guess that putting up with a crummy factory job during the summer has the DEFINATE advantage of letting me upgrade my system more-or-less yearly.

regardless of you ability to upgrade to a64 in the near future, i don't think that the zalman is worth the additional coin that you would have to kick in, even after selling off your silent boost.
 
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