Artic Silver 5 and Zalman Fan

  • Thread starter Thread starter Geoff
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G

Geoff

Not through the 200 hour break-in period yet but it seems artic silver 5 and
one of the big zalman's perform the same as the AMD stock HSF with parafin.

This is the fan I got:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118223

.. . . in an Antec P180 case, and an AMD X2 4400. If there is an upper and
lower limit to how much AS5 to apply, I was at the upper limit. The
directions say a grain of uncooked rice. I used about a grain of cooked
rice, maybe slightly more.

Initially, the CPU ran very cool, like 30c but after a week, the temps
suddenly shot way up to like 49c. I checked the directions again and they
said the machine also has to be turned off during the 200 hour break-in
period.

I've been doing that and the temp gap between the MB temp and the CPU is
about 8 to 11 degrees. The MB is always around 29 - 31c, so, the CPU is
usually around 38 - 39c, sometimes 41c when I have the house heat turned on.

This is the exact same performance I got with the AMD HSF and my AMD XP
3400.

-g
 
Geoff said:
Not through the 200 hour break-in period yet but it seems artic silver 5 and
one of the big zalman's perform the same as the AMD stock HSF with parafin.

This is the fan I got:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118223

. . . in an Antec P180 case, and an AMD X2 4400. If there is an upper and
lower limit to how much AS5 to apply, I was at the upper limit. The
directions say a grain of uncooked rice. I used about a grain of cooked
rice, maybe slightly more.

Initially, the CPU ran very cool, like 30c but after a week, the temps
suddenly shot way up to like 49c. I checked the directions again and they
said the machine also has to be turned off during the 200 hour break-in
period.

I've been doing that and the temp gap between the MB temp and the CPU is
about 8 to 11 degrees. The MB is always around 29 - 31c, so, the CPU is
usually around 38 - 39c, sometimes 41c when I have the house heat turned on.

This is the exact same performance I got with the AMD HSF and my AMD XP
3400.

-g
Click to expand...

Is the cooler exhaust pointed at the case rear fan ? So the cooler and the
rear fan work in the same direction ?

A sudden change in temp, implies the heatsink has separated from the
processor. Verify that the thing is sitting flat. When the 9500 first
came out, there were reports that the base could be bent. Maybe the
thing just wasn't flat to begin with, for the people reporting that.
I've not heard anything since, implying that the problem was fixed.

Either your temp readout software has changed, or something has
physically changed between the heatsink and CPU.

The break-in period should not require the system to be switched off.
The delta_T should gradually drop over the break-in period, by some
small amount. A change in the other direction, implies the thing
has shifted on you.

You can adjust the screws on the 9500, to apply only enough pressure
to hold the heatsink in place. You want enough pressure, so that
if you kick the computer by accident, the heatsink does not shift or
become dislodged. Have a look at how much pressure the screws
are applying to the mounting.

I like a little more than the minimum amount of paste. I like to see
a little bit ooze out, so that the gap between the two has some
paste showing on the outside. But not enough that is drops onto
something. You want proof the joint is forcing out just a little
bit of material. Otherwise, the joint could be partially "dry".

Did you make any recent changes to the 9500 fan speed setting ?
Performance varies with fan speed...

Paul
 
Paul> The break-in period should not require the system to be
Paul> switched off.

Arctic Silver has detailed instructions on use of their products at
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm. Note this
for AMD dual-core cpus:

3) Break-In Period
Due to the unique shape and sizes of the particles in Arctic Silver 5
conductive matrix, it will take a up to 200 hours and several thermal
cycles to achieve maximum particle to particle thermal conduction and
for the heatsink to CPU interface to reach maximum conductivity.
 
Paul> The break-in period should not require the system to be
Paul> switched off.

Arctic Silver has detailed instructions on use of their products at
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm. Note this
for AMD dual-core cpus:

3) Break-In Period
Due to the unique shape and sizes of the particles in Arctic Silver 5
conductive matrix, it will take a up to 200 hours and several thermal
cycles to achieve maximum particle to particle thermal conduction and
for the heatsink to CPU interface to reach maximum conductivity.
Click to expand...

LOL. All that for a supposed improvement of one or two degrees C at
IDLE.

A fool and his money are soon parted.
 
Geoff said:
Not through the 200 hour break-in period yet but it seems artic silver 5
and one of the big zalman's perform the same as the AMD stock HSF with
parafin.

This is the fan I got:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118223

. . . in an Antec P180 case, and an AMD X2 4400. If there is an upper and
lower limit to how much AS5 to apply, I was at the upper limit. The
directions say a grain of uncooked rice. I used about a grain of cooked
rice, maybe slightly more.

Initially, the CPU ran very cool, like 30c but after a week, the temps
suddenly shot way up to like 49c. I checked the directions again and they
said the machine also has to be turned off during the 200 hour break-in
period.

I've been doing that and the temp gap between the MB temp and the CPU is
about 8 to 11 degrees. The MB is always around 29 - 31c, so, the CPU is
usually around 38 - 39c, sometimes 41c when I have the house heat turned
on.

This is the exact same performance I got with the AMD HSF and my AMD XP
3400.

-g
Click to expand...
I've got the same case and a 4600/X2 which is being cooled with an Arctic
Cooling Freezer 64 Pro - UK price £13 (or thereabouts). The cooler is near
enough silent and my current CPU temp (with the compound that came applied
with the cooler) is 32c. Under full load my CPU gets to 41-42c.
Are you sure when you had the temp jump that the AMD cool and quiet didn't
get turned off or summat?

SteveH
 
LOL. All that for a supposed improvement of one or two degrees C at
IDLE.

A fool and his money are soon parted.
Click to expand...

Not all that because I bought the CPU OEM, no HSF. I did not do it just to
do it, I upgraded my CPU.

-g
 
Are you sure when you had the temp jump that the AMD cool and quiet didn't
get turned off or summat?
Click to expand...

I think 'Cool and Quiet' only works with the stock HSF. I did turnon Q-Fan
in the bios but did that after I upgraded.

What is ur MB temp when the CPU is 32c?

-g
 
Geoff said:
I think 'Cool and Quiet' only works with the stock HSF. I did turnon
Q-Fan in the bios but did that after I upgraded.

What is ur MB temp when the CPU is 32c?

-g
Click to expand...
Hi,

C&C working or not isn't a function of the HSF. IIRC you have to have the
QFan turned on in BIOS and in XP 'minimal power management' selected in
power settings.
Dunno what my mobo temp is when CPU @32c but the CPU is currently 34c and
mobo 29c.

HTH
SteveH
 
re: C&C

Now I am not sure about it anymore because the only C&C I see on the AMD
webpage for the AMD X2 is for Linux.

But you are right, it is not a function of the HSF. I found another webpage
that says it changes the frequency and voltage of the processor depending on
the load.
Dunno what my mobo temp is when CPU @32c but the CPU is currently 34c and
mobo 29c.
Click to expand...

That is pretty good, I have only achieved a 9 to 10 degree temperature
spread using the AMD HSF and the Zalman.

-g
 
Geoff said:
re: C&C

Now I am not sure about it anymore because the only C&C I see on the AMD
webpage for the AMD X2 is for Linux.

But you are right, it is not a function of the HSF. I found another
webpage that says it changes the frequency and voltage of the processor
depending on the load.


That is pretty good, I have only achieved a 9 to 10 degree temperature
spread using the AMD HSF and the Zalman.

-g
Click to expand...
There you go:
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_871_9706,00.html

It's the one that is 4 from the bottom, dated July 2006. Install that and
then set you windows power management to 'minimal power management'.

And as I said, that temp, which I am very pleased with is with an Artic
Cooling Freezer 64 Pro HSF, straight out of the box.

HTH
SteveH
 
I installed cool and quiet and the temperature spread between the MB and the
CPU is about 5c.

The odd thing about CnC is when the screen saver comes on, and I take it
off, I notice the temp a lot higher but it comes down quickly when the
computer is being used.

It is as if CnC does nothing once the screensaver is on.

The other odd thing is the CnC window pops up, shows the current frequency
only, but the minimize buttons, etc. do not work. The only thing I can do
with it is close it.

I am using CnC from the ASUS website for the A8V.

My conclusion is using a third party HSF and AS5 performs about the same as
a stock AMD HSF.

However, the Zalman screws on to HSF fan retainer where as the AMD HSF has
to be clipped on. Getting that thing to clip on is a pain, big time.

Also, AS5 is more like grease which means the HSF would come off easier. A
boxed AMD uses parafin, so, when it is time for the HSF to come off, good
luck because not only does one have to deal with getting the HSF unclipped
but also loosening it from the parafin. When I did it, I ran my cpu temp to
over 41c for about an hour but it still was not that easy and I think the
parafin cools quickly.

-g
 
Geoff said:
I installed cool and quiet and the temperature spread between the MB and
the CPU is about 5c.

The odd thing about CnC is when the screen saver comes on, and I take it
off, I notice the temp a lot higher but it comes down quickly when the
computer is being used.
Click to expand...

If its any sort of 3d screensaver or any screensaver that needs CPU time,
then that is what will happen. I've just got my PC set to turn the monitor
off after 30mins.
It is as if CnC does nothing once the screensaver is on.
Click to expand...

Indeed, the saver needs the CPU
The other odd thing is the CnC window pops up, shows the current frequency
only, but the minimize buttons, etc. do not work. The only thing I can do
with it is close it.
Click to expand...

Dunno about that, I've never even seen a C&C window.
I am using CnC from the ASUS website for the A8V.
Click to expand...

Not sure about that, I've got the A8V Deluxe and I'm using the C&C from AMD.
My conclusion is using a third party HSF and AS5 performs about the same
as a stock AMD HSF.
Click to expand...

Not even tried AS5 yet. I've got some AS3 around here somewhere, but it
lasts so long..
The stock AMD heatsink (the heatpipe one) isn't too shabby, it just got too
load for my delicate ear 'oles.
However, the Zalman screws on to HSF fan retainer where as the AMD HSF has
to be clipped on. Getting that thing to clip on is a pain, big time.

Also, AS5 is more like grease which means the HSF would come off easier.
A boxed AMD uses parafin, so, when it is time for the HSF to come off,
good luck because not only does one have to deal with getting the HSF
unclipped but also loosening it from the parafin. When I did it, I ran my
cpu temp to over 41c for about an hour but it still was not that easy and
I think the parafin cools quickly.

-g
Click to expand...
The trick with those TIM pads seems to be to run the PC with the side off
for a while (I would leave it in BIOS so theres no thermal control as such),
shut down and immediately unclip the HSF, and wiggle it from side to side a
bit before it manages to cool down. Then gently pull and hope that the HSF
and CPU manage to seperate properly. When they don't, I then take a
hairdrier to the heatsink for a bit.

Cheers
SteveH
 
C&C working or not isn't a function of the HSF.

I knew I read it somewhere, from:

http://dlsvr03.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socket939/a8v/e1994_a8v.pdf

.. . . page 4-20 says:

'This feature requires the AMD CPU heatsink and fan assembley with monitor
chip. If you purchased a separate heatsink and fan package, use the ASUS
Q-Fan Technology feature to automatically adjust the CPU fan speed according
to your system loading.'

-g
 
Geoff said:
That says it is for ME and 2000, I am running XP.

-g
Click to expand...
No, 4 from the bottom is this:

AMD AthlonT 64/FX Processor Driver for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003
Version (x86 and x64 exe) 1.3.2.16

which is what I'm running and gives the CPU throttling etc.

SteveH
 
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