Newbie PC Cooling Question

[James Hammons]

Hello. I'm a complete n00b when it comes to building a pc. I bought a
Dell dimension 3000 several months ago and didn't realise at the time
that it did not have an AGP or PCI express slot. So I recently bought
a new motherboard (Abit IC7-G) and a new case to put it in from newegg.
I mistakenly assumed that the heatsink from my Dell would fit the
Abit. Instead of ordering a new heatsink from newegg, I went to a the
only pc shop in my area and bought one from them. I didn't realise
until I got home that the heatsink was only rated to a 2.8 ghz
processor while I have a 3.0. I don't plan on overclocking the
processor anytime soon. What I need to know is if the new heatsink
would be okay to use, or should I take it back and order one rated for
at least 3.0 from newegg? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

James Hammons

 

[Richard Dower]

Buy a Thermalright XP-90, or the new XP-90C

www.siderwindercomputers.com

 

[RBM]

The thermalright is a great cooler, but you'd be fine just getting something
rated for the CPU that you're using

 

[Ruel Smith]

Hello. I'm a complete n00b when it comes to building a pc. I bought a
Dell dimension 3000 several months ago and didn't realise at the time
that it did not have an AGP or PCI express slot. So I recently bought
a new motherboard (Abit IC7-G) and a new case to put it in from newegg.
I mistakenly assumed that the heatsink from my Dell would fit the
Abit. Instead of ordering a new heatsink from newegg, I went to a the
only pc shop in my area and bought one from them. I didn't realise
until I got home that the heatsink was only rated to a 2.8 ghz
processor while I have a 3.0. I don't plan on overclocking the
processor anytime soon. What I need to know is if the new heatsink
would be okay to use, or should I take it back and order one rated for
at least 3.0 from newegg? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

The packaging from that heatsink may be old and the 2.8 GHz processors could
be the fastest available at that time. I don't think that heatsinks are
truly rated for a processor speed. You can overclock better with some than
others due to their better cooling, but that's another point altogether.

You could have provided information about the cooler like the brand and
model. This would have given us more information. The factory heatsink from
Intel is plenty for most applications, unless you overclock.

 

[James Hammons]

Thanks to both of you for you quick responses. I'm glad I asked before
installing the 2.8 heatsink over my processor. What do you recommend
for thermal compound? The stock stuff that comes with the heatsink, or
should I pay extra for something like Arctic Silver?

James Hammons

 

[Richard Dower]

Buy a Thermalright XP-90, or the new XP-90C

www.sidewindercomputers.com

 

[Richard Dower]

Thanks to both of you for you quick responses. I'm glad I asked before
installing the 2.8 heatsink over my processor. What do you recommend
for thermal compound? The stock stuff that comes with the heatsink, or
should I pay extra for something like Arctic Silver?

Yes, Arctic Silver 5:

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/arcticsilver5.html

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/thxpforforin.html

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/thxp.html

The copper version of the XP-90 is worth the extra few $$, IMO.

 

[James Hammons]

The packaging from that heatsink may be old and the 2.8 GHz processors could
be the fastest available at that time. I don't think that heatsinks are
truly rated for a processor speed. You can overclock better with some than
others due to their better cooling, but that's another point altogether.

You could have provided information about the cooler like the brand and
model. This would have given us more information. The factory heatsink from
Intel is plenty for most applications, unless you overclock.

Ruel, thanks for the detailed feedback. Brand and model information
would be excellent. I'm at work at the moment so I can't get all of
that information. I do know that the brand is Skiving. I can't
remember the model number. A quick google search gave me nothing. I
will post again when I get home, but that will be after midnight
eastern time.

James Hammons

 

[RBM]

Ruel, thanks for the detailed feedback. Brand and model information
would be excellent. I'm at work at the moment so I can't get all of
that information. I do know that the brand is Skiving. I can't
remember the model number. A quick google search gave me nothing. I
will post again when I get home, but that will be after midnight
eastern time.

James Hammons

 

[RBM]

Arctic silver is excellent, but read and follow the directions carefully

 

[Ruel Smith]

Ruel, thanks for the detailed feedback. Brand and model information
would be excellent. I'm at work at the moment so I can't get all of
that information. I do know that the brand is Skiving. I can't
remember the model number. A quick google search gave me nothing. I
will post again when I get home, but that will be after midnight
eastern time.

Skiving is actually a process, and probably not the brand. A search for the
works Skiving and heatsink reveals many models with skiving done to the
fins. According to one site, "Skiving is cutting the material off in thin
layer just like planing timber. The cutting tool and the feed rate control
the thickness and pitch of the fins. The skiving heatsink fin has one
concave surface and another mirror-like finish surface, and the results in
about 50 ~ 70 % reduction in the original length".

 

[James Hammons]

Skiving is actually a process, and probably not the brand. A search for the
works Skiving and heatsink reveals many models with skiving done to the
fins. According to one site, "Skiving is cutting the material off in thin
layer just like planing timber. The cutting tool and the feed rate control
the thickness and pitch of the fins. The skiving heatsink fin has one
concave surface and another mirror-like finish surface, and the results in
about 50 ~ 70 % reduction in the original length".

Nope, the brand name is Skiving. It says so on the box. There is also
an icon that looks like a panther or puma head. I'm almost willing to
bet that it says skiving, inc. The info that you stated above is what
I found when I googled, that's why I said I didn't find anything. I'll
post the rest of the info when I get home. God, only three hours to go
before I can leave. I hate the weekend.

James Hammons

 

[Ruel Smith]

Nope, the brand name is Skiving. It says so on the box. There is also
an icon that looks like a panther or puma head. I'm almost willing to
bet that it says skiving, inc. The info that you stated above is what
I found when I googled, that's why I said I didn't find anything. I'll
post the rest of the info when I get home. God, only three hours to go
before I can leave. I hate the weekend.

Give me details when you get home...

 

[Ruel Smith]

Nope, the brand name is Skiving. It says so on the box. There is also
an icon that looks like a panther or puma head. I'm almost willing to
bet that it says skiving, inc. The info that you stated above is what
I found when I googled, that's why I said I didn't find anything. I'll
post the rest of the info when I get home. God, only three hours to go
before I can leave. I hate the weekend.

Could this be it?

http://www.mikhailtech.com/articles/heatsinks/below0puma/

 

[James Hammons]

Could this be it?

http://www.mikhailtech.com/articles/heatsinks/below0puma/

The box looks exactly like that. So I guess you were right that the
company is not called skiving. Shows what I get for arguing with
someone who knows what they are talking about That is not the same
model, but definately the same brand. Armed with this information I am
searching for the model that I have to post here. But all in all, is
this a good brand for my cooling needs?

James Hammons

 

[James Hammons]

is willing

The box looks exactly like that. So I guess you were right that the
company is not called skiving. Shows what I get for arguing with
someone who knows what they are talking about That is not the same
model, but definately the same brand. Armed with this information I am
searching for the model that I have to post here. But all in all, is
this a good brand for my cooling needs?

James Hammons

I am reasonably sure that this is the heatsink I have. The shape of
the grill is very distinct. So, what do you think? Do you think that
this would be okay for a 3.0 ghz processor, or should I get a new one.
Thanks!!

http://www.cooljag.com/p4_d_JAC663A.htm

James Hammons

 

[Redmond du Barrymond]

The packaging from that heatsink may be old and the 2.8 GHz processors could
be the fastest available at that time. I don't think that heatsinks are
truly rated for a processor speed. You can overclock better with some than
others due to their better cooling, but that's another point altogether.

You could have provided information about the cooler like the brand and
model. This would have given us more information. The factory heatsink from
Intel is plenty for most applications, unless you overclock.

Yea, I use the stock HSF from a P4 1.8 on an OC P4 3.0ghz because it
is quieter than the one that came with the 2.66ghz cpu and I have no
heat problems. I would try the 2.8ghz rated HSF before wasting more
money. Just monitor the temps to make sure it is ok.

 

[Redmond du Barrymond]

I am reasonably sure that this is the heatsink I have. The shape of
the grill is very distinct. So, what do you think? Do you think that
this would be okay for a 3.0 ghz processor, or should I get a new one.
Thanks!!

http://www.cooljag.com/p4_d_JAC663A.htm

James Hammons

I would try it. If your temps are in the low to mid 40's celsius
during normal operation and low to high 50's during load (running 3D
games) then you are good to go. Even low 60's during load is not
unheard of on a P4 3.0ghz. But temps vary from motherboard to
motherboard so my guide is just a generalization. Some may only show
high 30's during normal operation.

 

[James Hammons]

I would try it. If your temps are in the low to mid 40's celsius
during normal operation and low to high 50's during load (running 3D
games) then you are good to go. Even low 60's during load is not
unheard of on a P4 3.0ghz. But temps vary from motherboard to
motherboard so my guide is just a generalization. Some may only show
high 30's during normal operation.

Thanks Redmund. I'll give it a shot when I get home and (hopefully) be
able to post my temperatures here sometime tomorrow. I'm pretty sure
the motherboard that I've got has a built in temperature gauge.

James Hammons

 

[James Hammons]

Yea, I use the stock HSF from a P4 1.8 on an OC P4 3.0ghz because it
is quieter than the one that came with the 2.66ghz cpu and I have no
heat problems. I would try the 2.8ghz rated HSF before wasting more
money. Just monitor the temps to make sure it is ok.

Well, I got home tonight and installed the heatsink. I kept tabs on
the temperature for about an hour of idle time. The temp stabilized
around 49 degrees celcius for idle time. I then loaded World of
Warcraft and played for about an hour. When I checked the temp while
playing it hovered around 60 degrees celcius. From what I understand,
that isn't a horrible temperature, but it could be much better. I'm
going to take this heatsink back and order a better one. Thanks to
everyone who helped me out tonight.

James Hammons