7 replies to this topic

[PookyMacMan]

Hey all.

In my hackintosh, I have a Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.4 GHz) with a Cooler Master GeminII S heatsink. My problem is this: I had (a while ago) used some thermal paste that was simply white goo, and I later found out that was horrible stuff and that I should use a different compound, as I was getting ~46º C idle (about 78º on full load using Prime95). Thankfully for me, I found the little tube of silver compound that came with the heatsink, so I applied that last night. Well, now it's idling at 52º C!! Haven't even tested the full load...

The heatsink normally comes with a 2000 RPM (66 CFM) 120mm fan, but I replaced it with 2x 92mm case fans. Looking them up, I found out they were from Russia, rated at 2650 RPM each, I couldn't find the CFM rating. What I'm wondering is, should I put the stock fan back on? What am I doing wrong?

Thanks for your help,

Pooky

[fallen101]

1. When you applied the thermal compound did you clean off 100% of the hold compound from the heat sync and the processer?

2. I believe you should put the old heat sync fan on and test what your idling at replacing a fan isnt that difficult.

[3.14r2]

Well it may be the "from Russia with love" fans, but it can also be that the heatsink isn't properly fixed to CPU (I mean screws - not the thermal compound).

Silver thermal compound isn't that much better compared to the white one (from my experience at least).

As to fans, question is how these two 92mm fans are mounted (facing each other, side by side). There also might be that you could accidentally missed the right air flow direction (usually marked with arrow). One bigger fan is always better then two smaller one. As it can provide the same or greater air flow on lower RPMs. Not to mention greater area it covers with air low.

[PookyMacMan]

fallen101, on 26 June 2012 - 10:28 PM, said:

1. When you applied the thermal compound did you clean off 100% of the hold compound from the heat sync and the processer? 2. I believe you should put the old heat sync fan on and test what your idling at replacing a fan isnt that difficult.

1. Yes.
2. I'm going to test that now.

3.14r2, on 26 June 2012 - 10:41 PM, said:

Well it may be the "from Russia with love" fans, but it can also be that the heatsink isn't properly fixed to CPU (I mean screws - not the thermal compound). Silver thermal compound isn't that much better compared to the white one (from my experience at least). As to fans, question is how these two 92mm fans are mounted (facing each other, side by side). There also might be that you could accidentally missed the right air flow direction (usually marked with arrow). One bigger fan is always better then two smaller one. As it can provide the same or greater air flow on lower RPMs. Not to mention greater area it covers with air low.

Glad to know about the compound thing. When I'm done with this tube of Cooler Master goop I'll just return to my silicone packs.

Well, the way the heatsink is oriented is that the fan(s) is on top of the cooler, blowing down on the heat pipes/fins to cool them off (and the NorthBridge/RAM as well) So, I oriented them so they would blow down (they gave instructions in the heatsink's manual).

Now, I have a final question: I happen to have a bunch of 120mm fans, but the two best ones are the following:

1. Cooler Master, 4-pin, running at 2000 RPM and 66 CFM
2. Silenx, 3-pin, running at 1500 RPM and 102 CFM

Would I want more RPM or CFM? I'm extremely comfortable with fan replacement, it doesn't really matter to me.

[fallen101]

assuming their both the same size 120mm The Silenx gets more CFM, but the disadvange is that its only a 3pin fan thus you its running at max RPM all the time.

The cooler master on the other hand has a smaller CFM, but has a 4 pin connector which is able to automatically adjust its speed according to the temp of the CPU.
so in the end its up to you.

[3.14r2]

4 pin or 3 pin depend on how thous are connected. Namely if it's connected to say 5v PSU rail, then the low speed (RPM) fan should be better thing to chose. If it's connected to MB connector, then 4 pin would be better as takes advantage of power management. In my opinion 4 pin fans are less noisy as are controlled more efficiently then 3 pin version.

[PookyMacMan]

The only thing is...my mobo always detects the CPU temperature as -84ºC. I forgot to mention that, so I always have smart fan management off. I have a 3-pin fan controller lying around, I could always hunt for it...

I'll reapply the compound and try both fans. Unless there is a significant temperature decrease with the Silenx I'm going to go with the Cooler Master (I'm using both as case fans right now, and I know that the Silenx isn't that, well, silent. )

[PookyMacMan]

Well, two days ago I got the CPU temperature down to 40º C; better. But when I OC'ed to 2.8 GHz, it shot up to 75º C!! Now that was weird...

But, yesterday I investigated further, found some dust bunnies in the CPU socket (how they got there?? I have not a clue...), found that the brackets on the CPU cooler were bent so I got out my spare cooler, applied the compound with the horizontal line method, secured the heatsink nice and tight, and, voíla, it went down to 30º C!! I OC'ed it to 3.2 GHz, only went up to 40º C!!!

Now, there is an issue but it's software related now: http://www.insanelym...howtopic=280161