CPU cooling. What are my best options?

[goKi]

I've decided to upgrade my stock AMD fan after leaving my computer on for a few weeks caused a huge temperature rise (about 8 degrees celsius) in the CPU alone. I was wondering what the best cheap and effective option is to cool an Athlon XP2600+ Barton. So far, i like the look and price of this one - http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=75&products_id=5080 but anyone's experience would be welcome. Suggestions of water and peltier cooling is welcome, but probably going overboard for a machine which i wont be overclocking.

[Radium]

www.arctic-cooling.com --> Silencer 64 for me ;) Very quiet and keeps my 64 3000+ at a cool 100 degrees F.

[gdorf]

http://www.svc.com/thslcl.html

Its on sale, and its a beast. Its one of the best aircooled heatsinks out there. Get a 92mm fan for it and you have a killer cooling setup for less than $30.

[goKi]

They say it supports XP2800+ and up. How will it go on a 2600+ Barton?

gdorf - how do i attach a 92mm fan to that heatsink?

[Master Ghaleon]

How bout if you just throw it in the FREEZER! that would take care of teh coolin

[goKi]

Dad, you are an idiot :P

[gdorf]

When they say 2800+ and up, they are trying to show that it will work on higher end processors. The 2800+ was one of the fastest processors at the time the slk-900a was released. Trust me, if you have a socket A (and you do), this thing will fit. As far as attaching the fan, the slk's ship with bars that connect the fan to the heatsink, everything needed for installation is there for you. You can see that in the closeup picture at svc.

If you are worried about svc, don't be. I've ordered at least 5 orders from them, and they all arrived promptly. One cathode I bought from them arrived broken. They shipped another one to me the same day, and didn't even make me return the old one. Very good service.

For fan choice, its really up to you. You can get a vantec tornado, which will produce near-watercooled temps but will run as loud as a vacuum cleaner (not kidding). Or you could get a vantec stealth, with absolute silence but sub-par cooling. Just remember, the higher the CFM, the cooler your chip will run, and the lower the dB, the quieter your computer will run.

This (http://www.svc.com/92vanthertem.html) one might interest you. It'll adjust itself according to the ambient temperature of the case. :shrug:

edit:
I know the cost of this is building up quickly, but I feel obligated to mention thermal compound. It is the single cheapest and most effective way to lower the temps of your processor. You know the thermal goop (or tape -_-) they give you with the stock heatsink? Its trash. For $6.00 you can tack on some arctic silver 5. This stuff will lower your temps as much as 5C or more.
http://www.svc.com/arsi5hiplsit.html

So, for a tally:


Heatsink: 19.99
Fan: ~5-10
Thermal Compound: 5.99
Shipping: ~5-10
----------------------------------------
Total $36-46



Not bad for possibly the best aircooling setup you can get. :shrug:

PM me with any questions.

[goKi]

Hmm.... it sounds good, but ithe only problem i've ran into is that they dont post internationally. I'll have to look into that a bit.

It's going to cost me $50 without shipping, which is what i'm looking at for a less elaborate cooling system over here. I'll have to try arrange an air mail shipping over here with them, if it's possible.

[biggiy05]

Like i mentioned in upp id go with the zalman all copper base dead quiet fan and a good price.

http://www.xoxide.com/zacncpuco1.html

[gdorf]

If you want an overly large heatsink that doesn't cool well. :shrug:

I just think those things are all hype. The fins around the outside of the fan don't get airflow at all, so you have a funny shaped processor that is half active cooling half passive cooling.

[biggiy05]

If you want an overly large heatsink that doesn't cool well. :shrug:

I just think those things are all hype. The fins around the outside of the fan don't get airflow at all, so you have a funny shaped processor that is half active cooling half passive cooling.

Actually they cool rather well i just got the one i ordered for my friend it was a b-day present and i went over today after it was on for a while and it cools extremely well so its worth the money.

[goKi]

Dear Valued Customer,

Unfortunately, we do not accept international orders, it is against our policy. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you. Should you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best regards,
Shahrooz Roohparvar
Customer Service
Silicon Valley Compucycle (SVC)
http://www.svc.com

hmm... this makes it very interesting.

[gdorf]

Actually they cool rather well i just got the one i ordered for my friend it was a b-day present and i went over today after it was on for a while and it cools extremely well so its worth the money.

heh, I've seen them in action as well and they don't cool well. At all. While they are almost absolutely silent (which is cool, I admit) they are just barely a step up from stock cooling.

Goki, thats harsh. But if you trust anyone in the states enough to buy it and ship it, you can still get it. With the sale price its at, you'd still be saving money. :shrug: