HSF etc. for A8N-SLI?

[dragoncarer]

I can't get a replacement HSF for my A8N-SLI without a 4-week
turnaround (I have to return the entire motherboard to my store/ ASUS)
because I'm in Australia.
Sucks, yeah?

So, does anyone have any recommendations for a good HSF that will be
compatible with this mobo that I can buy and install myself?

Many TIA.

 

[milleron]

I can't get a replacement HSF for my A8N-SLI without a 4-week
turnaround (I have to return the entire motherboard to my store/ ASUS)
because I'm in Australia.
Sucks, yeah?

So, does anyone have any recommendations for a good HSF that will be
compatible with this mobo that I can buy and install myself?

Many TIA.

Are you talking about the heatsink and fan on the chipset or the one
on the CPU?
If it's the fan on the chipset, many people have reported very good
results with the Zalman NB47J passive heatsink cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118214


Ron

 

[dragoncarer]

The Chipset HSF.

This looks like a goodie...there are good reviews at the online shop I
have bought from before.
Only problem is: I have a XFX 7800GT. It's a big card. I'm worried the
Zalman HS won't fit.

Do you - or anyone else - know is the Zalman HS is exactly the same
size as the existing ASUS HSF? Or, are the fin thingies on these HSs
usually easy to sort of bend or move around?

 

[Paul]

I can't get a replacement HSF for my A8N-SLI without a 4-week
turnaround (I have to return the entire motherboard to my store/ ASUS)
because I'm in Australia.
Sucks, yeah?

So, does anyone have any recommendations for a good HSF that will be
compatible with this mobo that I can buy and install myself?

Many TIA.

Have you tried contacting Asus directly ? Do they have tech support
in your country ? Many people have had a replacement chipset fan
shipped to them direct by Asus. Unless there is some reason why
Asus has adopted a different policy where you live. Try phoning
Asus and see what they say. Have the motherboard box handy, with the
serial number in plain view, in case they ask what serial number
is on the side of the box. Then, giving them your mailing address
should get you a new cooling solution.

Paul

 

[Paul]

The Chipset HSF.

This looks like a goodie...there are good reviews at the online shop I
have bought from before.
Only problem is: I have a XFX 7800GT. It's a big card. I'm worried the
Zalman HS won't fit.

Do you - or anyone else - know is the Zalman HS is exactly the same
size as the existing ASUS HSF? Or, are the fin thingies on these HSs
usually easy to sort of bend or move around?

I would not recommend a Zalman passive heatsink by itself. The chipset
kicks out enough heat, that there should be some forced air movement
over the fins of the heatsink. It really all depends on how hot
you want the chipset to get. If it was my board, I would want a
Zalman NB32J plus a fan, or a Swiftech MCX159. The NB32J has a flat
top area, that would make it easier to fit a fan on top.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118202
http://www.swiftnets.com/products/mcx159-CU.asp

With a small fan in place, plus a fan speed adjuster like a
FanMate II, you should be able to adjust the fan speed to get
a good compromise between noise and cooling performance. The
Asus replacement cooling solution should also work well.

Paul

 

[milleron]

I would not recommend a Zalman passive heatsink by itself. The chipset
kicks out enough heat, that there should be some forced air movement
over the fins of the heatsink. It really all depends on how hot
you want the chipset to get. If it was my board, I would want a
Zalman NB32J plus a fan, or a Swiftech MCX159. The NB32J has a flat
top area, that would make it easier to fit a fan on top.

Good advice, indeed, but there are many users who have reported good
results with the NB47J alone. Some of them decided to mount a case
fan so that it blew on the NB47J, and some actually mounted a small
fan right on it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118202
http://www.swiftnets.com/products/mcx159-CU.asp

I'll admit that if I were making this mod, I'd opt for the Swiftech
solution. I mentioned the NB47J, though, because it does work well
for almost everyone who's posted results, and it can be had for one
seventh the cost of the Swiftech cooler -- US$5 vs US$35.

With a small fan in place, plus a fan speed adjuster like a
FanMate II, you should be able to adjust the fan speed to get
a good compromise between noise and cooling performance. The
Asus replacement cooling solution should also work well.

Paul

Ron

 

[dragoncarer]

Yes. No (Taiwan services Australasia). That is not possible. Phoning
Asus will cost more than a replacement HSF, most likely.

 

[dragoncarer]

While this would be the best solution - it's also kinda costly and
fiddly. And I have real worries about the setup fitting in there with
my 7800GT. Uhm...I did read elsewhere though that some people attached
small fans to the top of the NB47J so mostlikely I will install that,
monitor mobo temps closely and add a fan if necessary.

Currently the mobo runs very hot - even with the original HSF. We're
talking 41-44 deg C here. If I don't plug in the fan, the chip heats to
about 46 and then forces a reboot and makes XP think there are no sound
drivers installed (crazy, eh? Yet another reason I will never buy an
ASUS board - or at least not this model - ever again).

Thanks, yet again, Paul!

 

[dragoncarer]

Altho...

http://www.pccasegear.com/prod2833.htm

Have it pictured on my board with two clunky PCI-Ex cards...hmmm...ok,
thanks, Paul! No, really! Now I have more things to spend my time
tinkering around with!!