Processors - To fan, or not to fan

[Denholm]

Hello there,

Recently I helped establish an estimate for a new gaming rig for a friend of mine. The last thing I forgot to include (or didn't forget) was the fan (or is it thermaltake?) for the processor.

So, I have two questions. The first one being if when you buy the processor, are heat fans / thermaltakes included? The second question is that if one isn't, what would you recommend to fit one of the following two processors?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116052

Thanks guys, I know I can count on a solid reply.

[BaldEagl]

Yes they are included and generally work fine although I use an Arctic Freezer 7 Pro and it dropped my CPU temps 10-15 degrees C over the stock unit.

Zalman also seems to make poular CPU coolers and a lot of people swear by them but I've never tried one.

I would suggest assembling the stock unit, then download a temp monitering program like RealTemp.  After that, download Prime95 or Orthos and run the small FFT test for ~15 minutes.  It will put 100% load on both cores of the CPU.  If the core temps exceed 60-65C then try to re-seat the fan/heatsink.  If you can't get temps into this range, then consider an aftermarket cooler.

[EDIT]  Note:  The Prime95/Orthos test should be run with Intel Speedstep and C1E Halt State (and one other throttler that's escaping me... they are all together in the BIOS) disabled in the BIOS as they throttle back the FSB and finally the CPU voltage to avoid overheating the CPU cores.

[Bino]

Personally, whenever possible, I select after-market copper heat sinks over aluminum.  Copper is much better at conducting heat.  Here are the numbers, according to the ChemiCool web site:

     copper
     thermal conductivity:  401 J/m-sec-deg

     aluminum
     thermal conductivity:  237 J/m-sec-deg

Silver has only a slight edge, at 429 J/m-sec-deg, and polishing heat sinks is *such* a chore!   

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Currently all core2duo processors that come with stock coolers run perfectly using it even when overclocked.

So unless your friend is planning to push the CPU past 4 ghz then he'll be perfectly fine using the stock cooler that comes with boxed processors.

[Denholm]

That's all the information I need. So, either of those choices come with a heatsink / fan, or only one? No, my friend will not be overclocking it. Thanks for the info so far.

[Fulmar]

The Stock HSF work just fine.  I used mine for a year before I bought an Arctic Freezer 7 when I decided to OC.  With the exception of the push pin design, the Freezer 7 is probably the best bang for the buck in aftermarket HSF's.  I often read on Newegg reviews on CPU's that people say "Con: the stock HSF is junk...blah" which couldn't be father from the truth.  They probably never even used one and all their CS buddies say Zalman or bust.

The only way you're not gonna get a heatsink is if you get the CPU that is an OEM.  Generally if its not retail and is OEM, you just get the chip.

[Denholm]

Alright, thanks for the info.

[BEARING3]

Denholm: no intention to slam you at all. When the computer gets HOT, it's an internal malfunction. I initionally had severe problems with my Compaq laptop. The thing was on fire. After countless attemps to restore, I was ready to throw it in the trash. It finally came around to work it's purpose. You know as well as I do that programs will clash. Espescially the newer computers sold on the market today with Vista built in. Even Skuzzy has problems with the OS. Have a Happy Holloween. See you later buddy BEARING3 out.

[Denholm]

Thanks for the notice, that's why I was asking the question in this thread, to ensure that particular event doesn't occur. Thanks again for your concern.

[BEARING3]

You are more than welcome Sir Denholm. I know you know alot about computers. IT professionalls like you and skuzzy make it happen. Complexity of any program makes difficult for the so-called NOOB. The game is built on a fantasy land, and Hitech creations does that.

[Getback]

I use a Zalman on my gaming rig and the stock intel cooler on my all purpose machine. No issues either way.

[Bino]

My old socket 478 "Prescott" 3.2 has been running rock-steady at 3.7 GHz for a couple of years now, and the copper Zalman with the 120mm fan keeps it at ~45 C. at idle and ~60 C. under load.

YMMV

[drdeathx]

That cpu runs at 65w should which should run at nice cool temps. Build it and find what temps you run at/If you want to run cooler, then add on  better cooler.Its easy to instal. Wanna have fun go liquid cooled!!!! I went with thermaltake 760i. I run 29 deg idle and 34 deg full load.

[drdeathx]

Bino those temps are on the hot side. That is a little warm for a cpu under load.

[Denholm]

Never mind. (Hey Skuzzy, how about a, "delete this post" feature? )