cooling question
 

right now i have an ABIT IC7 mobo with intel p4 2.4ghz. i'd like to be able to overclock it to 3.0ghz without overheating (runs stable when OC'ed, just gets too hot for comfort). the cpu has been getting pretty hot lately, using simple programs, getting to temps like 65C. so i figured, time to upgrade the ol cooling. i got suggestions to replace my heatsync with a Thermalright SLK or a zalman CNPS7000A. i dont know too much bout cooling, so do you guys have any other suggestions about what i should look for?

I'd definitely go for an SLK-900. Put a nice fan on it and it'll improve your cooling a lot. Other than that, a simple watercooling kit will run you about $100. I've heard that the entry-level kits don't cool much better than an SLK-900 or Thermaltake Silent Boost, however.

-Lasereth

I can't personally say anything about the SLK-900, but my experience with the Silent Boost has been excellent. I concur.

Remember, IC7 boards usually register between 9-13 degrees c higher than the die actually is. I just installed an Aero 4 cooler on 2 systems, one was an IC7-Max 3 and the other was an IC7.

Max3 has a 3.4 HT Northwood oc'd on air (Aero 4) to 3.6. The bios is limiting me, I could be up around 3.7 or 3.8, but bios 1.6 on Max 3 is unstable..
IC7 has a 2.4 running 2.8 on air (Aero 4).

IC7 Idle: 38 Load: 51
IC7 Max3 Idle: 38 Load: 48

Good luck

Oh yeah.. Aero 4 looks cool, but better than that it has a blower fan not a standard spinning fan. Spinning fans have a "dead zone" directly below the center of the fans, or in 90% of the cases right on the spot you are actually trying to cool the most. Aero 4's design has eliminated that dead zone for better cooling.

### WORD OF ADVICE ### Learn about "Lapping". My Aero needed 600, 800, 1200, 1500, and 2000 grit to get a "mirror" finish. I didn't use polish, I hear that can leave behind too many particles and additives. Still got a damn near mirror finish though.

bout the slk900,

i guess i forgot to mention this, but have an intel cpu, not amd. according to newegg, the slk900 is for amd

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...109-011&depa=0

There's an SLK-900U for Pentium 4 processors, but it looks like NewEgg doesn't have it. :(

-Lasereth

I have the zalman CNPS7000A AlCu, and it's pretty damn good at cooling my processor (2.6c@2.8-ish) at very acceptable sound levels (inaudible). I guess I could overclock more if I wanted to, but don't. The thing *should* cool better than an Aero4, methinks - at least it makes a huge difference in sound (which was the thing I was looking for.)

Temperatures: in a 22 degrees (C) room, my P4 runs at 34 C at idle, and it never goes beyond 48 C. Of course, my P4P800 *could* be a bit off with those readings, but my Coolermaster Aerogate's temperature sensor tends to agree.

well damn, where could i buy the slk900u for my pentium then?

i have the previous version of:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...108-021&depa=1

and i love it.

i also have installed:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...118-109&depa=1

but both of them are very large and you must make sure that they will work with you Mother board and case.

I've just done a little test with Doom 3. With my Zalman 7000-AlCu running at full speed (and a lot of other coolers chucking away), in a hot room (27C, after a hot summer day), I've had temperatures of some 42 C after playing Doom 3 for a while. And the idle temperatures are some 36 C (with the same highish rpms).

In other words: DAMN!

i ordered a thermalright sp-94, and a vantec tornado 80mm. that should do the job