Suggestions for a CPU cooler

[Guest_Jim_*]

It is really starting to seem like a computer build is never done. I did the build back in November, so the computer has not yet experienced Summer. Now with two GPU's in it folding all day it can get pretty warm. I'm not so much worried about the computer, as myself. My room gets quite hot and has no easy means of cooling off. I doubt it will be getting warm enough to damage any of the components, but I would like to still have as much of the heat out of the case so it can get circulated and dispersed around my room. Thing is, I don't really know what would be best to get and there are so many options.

My case can take up to a 165mm tall heatsink. It would be nice to keep the noise level down, but not necessary, as the side fans I put in I have running full, for the GPU's, and a fan in the room will be going during the Summer. I am also planning on put some MOSFET coolers on, because I figure, for a little bit over ten dollars, they can't hurt.

I do have the CPU (a 720 BE with all 4 cores running) overclocked at the moment to 3.3GHZ with the multiplier at 15, HyperTransport at 220 and the northbridge at 11. Have not touched voltage, and probably won't.

I'm not very experienced, so liquid cooling would probably not be the best option for me, except for those closed systems, like the Corsair H50 or Coolit ECO A.L.C. My understanding is that motherboards are in part cooled by the CPU heatsink, which the liquid cooling setups would not be able to do, so if a liquid setup is best, I would also like suggests to cool the motherboard.

Also, on a related note, the CM Storm Scout I have, has an opening behind the CPU, that is so that I won't have to remove the motherboard to install a heatsink, right?

Thank you in advance.

[Drdeath]

It is really starting to seem like a computer build is never done. I did the build back in November, so the computer has not yet experienced Summer. Now with two GPU's in it folding all day it can get pretty warm. I'm not so much worried about the computer, as myself. My room gets quite hot and has no easy means of cooling off. I doubt it will be getting warm enough to damage any of the components, but I would like to still have as much of the heat out of the case so it can get circulated and dispersed around my room. Thing is, I don't really know what would be best to get and there are so many options.

My case can take up to a 165mm tall heatsink. It would be nice to keep the noise level down, but not necessary, as the side fans I put in I have running full, for the GPU's, and a fan in the room will be going during the Summer. I am also planning on put some MOSFET coolers on, because I figure, for a little bit over ten dollars, they can't hurt.

I do have the CPU (a 720 BE with all 4 cores running) overclocked at the moment to 3.3GHZ with the multiplier at 15, HyperTransport at 220 and the northbridge at 11. Have not touched voltage, and probably won't.

I'm not very experienced, so liquid cooling would probably not be the best option for me, except for those closed systems, like the Corsair H50 or Coolit ECO A.L.C. My understanding is that motherboards are in part cooled by the CPU heatsink, which the liquid cooling setups would not be able to do, so if a liquid setup is best, I would also like suggests to cool the motherboard.

Also, on a related note, the CM Storm Scout I have, has an opening behind the CPU, that is so that I won't have to remove the motherboard to install a heatsink, right?

Thank you in advance.

 

 

Forget Mofset cooling, it is a waste. The Corsair H50 is a great solution. It cools as good as the best air cooling solution but no noise. I run custom watercooling and I had a Phenom II 965 and 2 x 4890's liquid cooled and it was quiet as a mouse. If you want to cool NB heatsink, simpky pick up a 90mm fan and try to mod it inside the case blowing on the NB heatsink. That will do the trick and cool it at least 5 degrees maybe more.

 

The H50 will probably not support CPU + 2 x GPU's plus buying waterblocks for GPU's can be expensive.

Edited May 2, 2010 by Drdeath

[El_Capitan]

If you're not going to overclock your 720 BE any further, you don't need anything other than a stock heatsink. Trust me, I have 3 AMD systems, all with the 720 BE. Two were overclocked to 3.2 - 3.4 GHz with the stock heatsink and temps were fine. Now only one has the stock heatsink, but it's still fine, even during the summer.

 

However, certain aftermarket heatsinks have fans pushing the warm air in a certain direction, which you would want going out your case, along with the warm air from your GPU's.

 

There are also certain cases which better direct the airflow within the case so it leads to the exhaust fans better.

 

I'd go with investing in a better tower since most of the heat is generated from your GPU's.

[Drdeath]

If you're not going to overclock your 720 BE any further, you don't need anything other than a stock heatsink. Trust me, I have 3 AMD systems, all with the 720 BE. Two were overclocked to 3.2 - 3.4 GHz with the stock heatsink and temps were fine. Now only one has the stock heatsink, but it's still fine, even during the summer.

 

However, certain aftermarket heatsinks have fans pushing the warm air in a certain direction, which you would want going out your case, along with the warm air from your GPU's.

 

There are also certain cases which better direct the airflow within the case so it leads to the exhaust fans better.

 

I'd go with investing in a better tower since most of the heat is generated from your GPU's.

 

 

His room is getting warm. I think this is what he is looking for a solution for, not overclocking it higher The H50 is the solution.

Edited May 2, 2010 by Drdeath

[Guest_Jim_*]

I guess I will be getting the H50 then.

I'm thinking and correct me if I'm not thinking well, that I could get an Antec SpotCool to cool something specific, if needed, and can later put a second fan on the H50's radiator to move even more in from the case. Could the SpotCool help, or would it just be too much? Could a push-pull on the H50 help, or would it be too much?

Thanks again.

[El_Capitan]

His room is getting warm. I think this is what he is looking for a solution for, not overclocking it higher The H50 is the solution.

I didn't say anything about overclocking it higher. I was saying the problem isn't the heat from the CPU, but from the GPU, and he needs to get that heat out of his tower. Getting a CPU cooler isn't going to help as much imo.

[Guest_Jim_*]

I didn't say anything about overclocking it higher. I was saying the problem isn't the heat from the CPU, but from the GPU, and he needs to get that heat out of his tower. Getting a CPU cooler isn't going to help as much imo.

I see you're point. I was thinking that if the CPU cooler helps move the air across the motherboard, then a better one might help move out more air thereby cool the case down some. The H50 could still help some, I would think, because it will be moving the heat from the CPU, above the GPU's, to the radiator and then out of the case. Essentially what I am trying to do is either move more air across the warm components and out of the case or move the heat first, then the air (as a liquid cooler would do).

Also, I have two fans in the side of the case. One blowing directly onto the GPU's and the other pulling air out from above the CPU. I've found that this works well to keep the GPU's and CPU cooler, though the motherboard temperature, according to AMD Overdrive, was a few degrees higher than when I had both fans blowing into the case.

[OwinC]

If you must. Try removing the side panel and point a box fan at the side. to help cool things down a bit.

I have done this when my office gets in the 80s. I have no ac in my office. Only windows.

[El_Capitan]

I see you're point. I was thinking that if the CPU cooler helps move the air across the motherboard, then a better one might help move out more air thereby cool the case down some. The H50 could still help some, I would think, because it will be moving the heat from the CPU, above the GPU's, to the radiator and then out of the case. Essentially what I am trying to do is either move more air across the warm components and out of the case or move the heat first, then the air (as a liquid cooler would do).

Also, I have two fans in the side of the case. One blowing directly onto the GPU's and the other pulling air out from above the CPU. I've found that this works well to keep the GPU's and CPU cooler, though the motherboard temperature, according to AMD Overdrive, was a few degrees higher than when I had both fans blowing into the case.

I agree that getting the H50, or the Noctua NH-D14 would help. The best thing for cooling the system, not just the CPU, is airflow. If the air is just circling around in there, and the air is warm, the heat has to go somewhere, and it will go to the components instead of back outside the system. A continuous airflow mechanism is best. Warm air rises, so the top of the tower and the top end of the tower should have exhaust fans. Intake fans should be from the bottom front or from the side.

[Guest_Jim_*]

Between the H50 and NH-D14, I would prefer the H50, because the NH-D14 is so tall, I couldn't keep the one fan in the side that is pulling out.

So how's this for a plan: H50 for CPU, Antec SpotCool for what needs it. If needed, a second fan for the H50 and more powerful fan pulling out of the top of the case (there is a 12cm or 14cm fan in the top that came with the case). I may just get the second fan (or two new fans) for the H50 right away, just so I won't have to mess with it again.

 

Edit: Removed a question I found an answer.

Edited May 2, 2010 by Guest_Jim_*

[Drdeath]

If you must. Try removing the side panel and point a box fan at the side. to help cool things down a bit.

I have done this when my office gets in the 80s. I have no ac in my office. Only windows.

 

 

Removing side panel is not the answer. The system actaully cools better with the side panel on Unless you have a rocket fan blowing into it.. LOL

[Guest_Jim_*]

Unless you have a rocket fan blowing into it.. LOL

Probably wouldn't be the best thing to do for a first mod.