Several Cooling Questions

[flyboy84]

Hi there,

I am planning on OCing my Barton 2500+ to 3200+ by taking the bus from 166 -> 200 Mhz and leaving the multiplier as is (11.0x). I bought a Zalman CNPS7000A-AlCu cooler for the CPU, and I currently have two case fans on my Antex SX830 Case, one on the back blowing out, one on the front sucking in. My questions are:

1. Should the thermal compound that comes with the Zalman be enough? Or should I look for some Arctic Silver?

2. Will the two case fans be alright? Or should I get another pair to double the airflow?

I know this isn't a particularly aggressive overclock, so I shouldn't be that worried about temperatures getting too high, but any advice on these matters would be appreciated. Also, power isn't an issue, as I just decided to invest in a brand new Antec NeoPower480 PSU, so that should last me quite a while.

Thanks in advance,

-Flyboy84

 

[AnnoyedGrunt]

I'm using a the 7000a-AlCu on my 1800+ with the Zalman Goo. Right now I'm @ 2100 RPM and about 4-5 C over case temps at idle.

My case has one 80mm fan in back spinning @ 2700 RPM and usually runs about 32-36 C.

I think you'd be fine with the Zalman goo and your existing fans, so you could always start out that way and if you don't like the temps then you can get the additional fans and the Arctic Silver.

-D'oh!

 

[pirred908]

Originally posted by: flyboy84
Hi there,

I am planning on OCing my Barton 2500+ to 3200+ by taking the bus from 166 -> 200 Mhz and leaving the multiplier as is (11.0x). I bought a Zalman CNPS7000A-AlCu cooler for the CPU, and I currently have two case fans on my Antex SX830 Case, one on the back blowing out, one on the front sucking in. My questions are:

1. Should the thermal compound that comes with the Zalman be enough? Or should I look for some Arctic Silver?

I think you should look for some Artic Silver 5. Thats what I use, and it is considerend the standard by everyone else. That Zalman thermal paste is probably crap compaired to Artic Silver 5. I've never used Zalmans paste, but I do use Artic Silver 5 on my CPU and GPU, works excellent.

2. Will the two case fans be alright? Or should I get another pair to double the airflow?

If things seem to be running fine without additional fans than your good, but if things seems hot inside your case I would consider either upgrading the ones you have or inserting more fans.

I know this isn't a particularly aggressive overclock, so I shouldn't be that worried about temperatures getting too high, but any advice on these matters would be appreciated. Also, power isn't an issue, as I just decided to invest in a brand new Antec NeoPower480 PSU, so that should last me quite a while.

Thanks in advance,

-Flyboy84

 

[slackosaurus]

I have the same CPU as you running @ 11 x 200(3200 specs) I also have the all copper version of your Zalman. I cut a 120mm hole in the front of my Antec case to replace the original two 80mm ones. I installed (1 x 120mm)intake + (2 x80mm) exhaust low speed/noise SilenX case fans. For the Zalman I used the silicon-based thermal paste that came with my Arctic Cooling VGA Silencer. The Zalman runs a constant 2400 RPM with idle temps at about 35C. With more powerful, case fans(i.e. noisier) I could probably drop the temp by another 2-3C.

18 way thermal paste comparison
http://www.overclockers.com/articles907/