Cpu/gpu Cooling
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Join Date: 2004-01-30 Member: 25749Members
Join Date: 2004-01-30 Member: 25749Members
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">Test sites or advice needed</div> I was planning to buy some new cooling for my processor and graphics card. I have trouble finding any good information about how effective some of the products are and how much noise they make. If you have any sites that review cooling equipment and run tests, preferably with a good overview (Tom's Hardware is good, but they don't have much cooling). If you have any comments about certain products, that'd be okay too.
I'm using a Radeon 9600XT and P4 2.8GHz (800 FSB).
What I'm looking for is something that; a) is more effective than stock and b) cheap. Other than that, the less noise it makes, the better. The price should preferably be in the $0-60 range.
I'm considering an Arctic Cooling ATI Silencer 4 for the graphics card. It's designed for a X800, but it should fit my card as well. The price is the same and the fan use a somewhat higher speed.
I'm using a Radeon 9600XT and P4 2.8GHz (800 FSB).
What I'm looking for is something that; a) is more effective than stock and b) cheap. Other than that, the less noise it makes, the better. The price should preferably be in the $0-60 range.
I'm considering an Arctic Cooling ATI Silencer 4 for the graphics card. It's designed for a X800, but it should fit my card as well. The price is the same and the fan use a somewhat higher speed.
Comments
the Zalman 6500AlCu/7000Cu is good too
I'd probably suggest going for the Arctic cooling that is designed for your video card, it might not work or somethng if you go for the wrong one.
My X800 Pro Came with an Arctic colling unit pre-attatched, and it hasn't ever got to more than 58C, and it's overclocked to 530/585
<a href='http://www.driverheaven.net/reviews/asusicecooler/' target='_blank'>Yes</a>. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
I did some research on it, apparently it was much heavier than most other options (and upwards 700g ain't light). Some people said it had trouble fitting certain computers as the RAM could be in the way etc.
I also found a heatsink, Thermalright XP 120. Apparently, it would work for my CPU without any fan at all (completely silent, always a bonus), and even better with a fan (well above 3.2GHz if you believe Thermalright and the test results I saw certainly indicated that this was the case). It is also lighter (370g I think it was) and cheaper than the Asus one. Any comments?
<span style='color:red'>So yeh thats the highlight of my life</span>
I don't use any kind of overclocking though. I'll start if I get effective cooling running, but I prefer a cool CPU/GPU over a fast one. You see, the reason I want new cooling is that my old computer got a bit too hot for unknown reason, and that's why it's now my *old* computer. Perhaps ex-computer would be a more appropriate term.
and I also use the<a href='http://www.xoxide.com/zm80d.html' target='_blank'>Zalman ZM80D-HP Noiseless VGA Cooler with a fan</a>
1) Place bag of ice in case.
2) Replace when needed.
As for the "Ice Box" method, it'd only reduce the overall temperature in the case and only for a little while. It's the vital parts that needs cooling and that won't cut it. I'd also hate to deal with condensed water floating around in my case.
Wait. Isn't that like $1200?
You rich bastard.
1) Place bag of ice in case.
2) Replace when needed. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
the condensation is gonna kill your stuff. dont even listen to this guy
go to newegg and search under heatsinks/fans and organize by most votes to least. this gives you a good idea of which stuff is good
Wait. Isn't that like $1200?
You rich bastard. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Um, its 33$ according to the link on the site there... Are you thinking about that giant tower that acts as a liquid cooling radiator by chance? becase the GPU cooler in that link is air based, not liquid cooled.
Wait. Isn't that like $1200?
You rich bastard. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Um, its 33$ according to the link on the site there... Are you thinking about that giant tower that acts as a liquid cooling radiator by chance? becase the GPU cooler in that link is air based, not liquid cooled. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Silly me. I thouht of <a href='http://www.xoxide.com/zalman6.html' target='_blank'>this</a> for some reason; $1199.99.
Hehe ok then.
Instead of a bag of ice, use an ice pack!
<a href='http://www.driverheaven.net/reviews/asusicecooler/' target='_blank'>Yes</a>. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
*Insert rocket-liftoff joke here*
=3
<img src='http://www.freepichosting.com/Thumbs/421564826/0/1.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
Doesn't that kind of defeat the point of a noiseless cooler? Why would you need a VGA cooler on anything less than these cards anyway?!
Instead of a bag of ice, use an ice pack! <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Unless you cover it in some type of cloth it will still attract condensation.
Doesn't that kind of defeat the point of a noiseless cooler? Why would you need a VGA cooler on anything less than these cards anyway?! <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
I have a fanless one on my 9800 pro and it isn't that abusively hot. They just say this because they don't want to be responsible for any damage to your hardware, and they want to sell another fan.
Using <a href='http://www.coolermaster.com/index.php?LT=english&Language_s=2&url_place=product&p_serial=CP5-6J31C-01&other_title=+CP5-6J31C-01+CPU%20Cooler' target='_blank'>an older version of this</a> on a AMD 2000+ running at 2100+
As for my GPU cooler it's just the one which came with mygainward Ti4200
I see you're using Asus Probe. All it does it monitor temperatures and fan speeds, or does it do more?
[/OT]
ThE XP's dont come with fans, so they must be bought seprately... however they totally kick ****....
The XP-120 doesent fit with most mobo's, however, so the XP-90 with a 92 mm fan is the way to go with as 92mm fan...
Either one with AS5 thermal paste is the way to go regarding Processor cooling.... at least until that new ASUS cooler comes out...
However.. to delve even deeper.... even a top of the line heatsink cannot cool a processor/gpu AT ALL, if the case itself doesent have good cooling...
Common case cooling involves 1-2 120mm fans on the front of the case (SUCKING AIR IN)
2x 60-80mm Fans on the rear blowing air out...
At the very minimum, an 80mm fan on the side panel blowing air onto the processor fan (this blows cool outside air directly onto the processor heatsink... cooling it significantly
Usually another minimum 80mm fan on the side of the case blowing air onto the GPU, and one fan on the top of the case as a heat exhaust...
One thing to keep in mind for all these fans... REMOVE the grills, along with ANY air obstructions, or they are useless.... they block far too much air....
Believe it or not, Watercooling loses its effectiveness (unless multiple radiators, extra large capacity pumps, ect are used) at 100Watts of output heat on a processor.... The new stock prescott processors release anywhere from 70-90 watts of power STOCK, any overclock and even watercooling cannot keep up...
With a proper air cooling setup, it is possible to have sometimes better temperatures with air cooling than with water (at a cheaper price) albiet with slightly more noise.... however using 120mm and 90mm fans with speed controls wherever possible will eliminate the noise significantly)
Im heavy into case modding, cooling, and overclocking.... if you do not wish to take my word on any of this.... id invite you to go to www.abit-usa.com and visit the Case modding/Cooling or the Overclocking forums...... there is ample knowledge and information there to back up what i have said, as well as much more...
On a sidenote, the Zalman 7000 models or similar ARE good heatsinks, however they are "below the curve" in regards to thier actual cooling performance verses price, and size does not allow anything but stock Northbridge cooling on most Mobo's...
On another sidenote.... I CANT WAIT FOR THE FREAKING FATALITY BOARDS FROM ABIT TO COME OUT... check out www.abit-usa.com to see what i mean... OMG OMG OMG SO LEEET!!!
~Jason
antifreeze, so what is your mobo and what program does it use to control its fan speeds? I'd really like to know; maybe make my computer a bit softer (noise wise <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->).
Thanks.
Asus probe can only moniter fan speeds and the temp of the CPU and Chipset. It will moniter the speed of every fan connected to the Motherboard and the bios will control the speed of all the fans.
As an experiment i decided to take the side off my pc and "Borrow" my room mates desktop fan and have it blwoing into my case. Doing this made my processor fan RPM to drop to 900rpm (From about 2500) and the powersupply fans have stopped.
As somebody who leaves their computer on 24/7 and has a not 100% airflow in his case PC turning itself off before frying = the win.
Excellent solution.. ducting and exhaust... ur putting thought into it!!
As far as the processor.... some people have rigged up a duct around the processor and PWM circuotry, basically all around the processor fan and everything with a vent leading out the top of the case... Coupled with a side panel fan ducting air into the processor this is the ideal solution for air cooling the processor (ive seen it ghetto rigged with cardboard, and i myself did it with paper (not as thermally sound as cardboard/plexiglass would be thouhgt, as lots of heat transfers through the paper)
Also u will still need 1-2 case fans as the northbridge, harddrives, motherboard ect give off cooling...
However a well thought out cooling solution like that can get you better than watercooling results (and hence a higher overclock) at a cheaper price
If you were to do it that way, id suggest 80mm fan for the GPU intake (side case)
minimum of a 90mm fan for the processor intake fan, the more air in there the better, and minimum of 80mm fan for the top of the case processor exhaust
One 120mm fan on the front case for intake, and one 80 mm on the back for exhaust ... and you should ahve yourslef one Cool computer <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Also..... the reason to use larger fans is:
1. Larger airflow = better
2. Larger fans are QUIETER, and can move more air at lower RPM's... so u have a quieter computer....
~Jason