Thunderbird retail heatsink

[bob63]

I've been reading a few of the slot A cooler comparisons, but I havn't seen any information on the cooler that comes with the retail Thunderbird. Does any one have any details on it, how good is it, who make it, do I need an aftermarket cooler to OC. My system is currently Thunderbird 900 not OC on Abit KT-7 RAID.

 

[Mikewarrior2]

the t-bird 900, i think, comes with a taisol cek733...


Mike

 

[Stealth1024]

Would you guys reccomend leaving the retail heatsink intact or purchasing a new one (no or mild overclocking)? If so, which one should I get?

 

[Mikewarrior2]

The taisol unit performs very well, fairly close to alpha. If you're doing mild or no overclocking, it performs fantastically. For heavy overclocking, it still performs will, but will get beaten by its higher-priced counterparts.


Mike

 

[DaddyG]

The Taisol CEK733092 should have been the hsf with the retail 900. AMD is shipping this unit with the 1.2 gig BIRDS AFAIK. If you get serious with the 900, I'd recommend the new CGK742092. Anands review seems to be the only one on tht net that had it not beating the FOP-38. NERDSBYTE.COM will have them in a couple of days for $17.99. You can upgrade the fan all the way to the screaming Delta 37cfm for an additional $7. Havn't seen em cheaper anywhere.

 

[FloridaBoy]

I purchased a combo ASUS A7V mb, Athlon TB 900 and Taisol fan. The components were are mounted when I received my order. I would like to overclock the chip using the LOCTITE method. What I don't know is if the heatsink and chip are connected in any way (thermal compound, adhesive pad, etc.) or if the heatsink is sitting on the chip without anything. I don't want to remove the heatsink to find out that I need to go out and get something that I destroyed when removing the heatsink. I really need for someone to help me out, because I plan on putting the PC together this weekend. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[DaddyG]

Florida,

Assuming that you haven't applied power yet, the hsf can be removed for you to do the Loctite dance. If the system has had power, the Phase Change Thermal Pad will probably have started to 'change'. The pad in its original state is semi-solid and wax-like. After it heats up, normally at about 58c, the pad changes to a very sticky bubble gum like texture. When the hsf is removed with the pad in this state, its pretty much pad replacement time. You can get extra pads from Taisol.
When you remove your hsf just make sure that the thin plastic film which protects the pad has been removed. Sometimes people miss this.

 

[FloridaBoy]

DaddyG,

Well, it's definitely pink bubble gum. I'm assuming that Monarch Computers ran a test on the mb/TB/heatsink before shipping it out to me. How about using some thermal grease that I can pick up at Radio Shack instead of the thermal pad from Taisol? What do you think? Thanks.

 

[Lightingguy]

Had good results with a similar setup and GE thermal grease from my local electronics parts retailer. Using this and the stock Taisol seems a great solution. Apply paste smooth and thin to the area of the HSF over the core, and watch the CPU temp (I know it's not relly accurate, but what the hell). I'm currently at 37c/core 24c/system with the KT7Raid UL Bios, which appears on the low to normal side from what I've seen on this board.

 

[Mikewarrior2]

Those temps are very low for the UL bios.

FloridaBoy, keep in mind your temps will probably be in teh same "reported" range as LightningGuys, not lower.


Mike

 

[bonkers325]

the retail heatsink for amd socket A chips suck
get a real heatsink
orb,fop,alpha

cheers,
bonkers325

 

[Mikewarrior2]

Bonkers325,

This isn't coolermaster unit that comes with earlier t-birds. It is a taisol Cek733092 or whatever teh model number is. It is much better than any orb unit.


Mike