Recommend a CPU cooler?

[cookie_365]

Can anyone recommend a CPU cooler?

I've got an AMD Athlon 2800+ with 2 hard disks (80 & 160) and an ATI All-In-Wonder card. It's not overclocked and doesn't really work that hard

Temparatures hover around mid 40s for the CPU and system when its idling, but shoot up when I do things like play games, or author & burn DVDs. I have 2 case fans - one in at the front, one out at the back - and the video card has its own fan, so I reckon it must be that the CPU cooler is dodgy.

So, can anyone recommend a decent replacement cooler? I've got about £20 to play with.

I've never played about with the CPU before (I can swap disk cables and install new drives, that sort of thing) but don't mind giving it a go!

I'm assuming I need a heatsink and fan and apparantly some kind of grease to stick it all together with - if anyone can recommend brands, models, particular combinations etc I'd be made up !

Thanks

[marky]

amd cpus are supplied with the heat sink and fan and very carefull instructions and a warning due to people breaking them when fitting the fan

just a thought

[Monster Jedi]

I'd personally leave it alone. What prog are you useing to monitor the cpu temp?

[jtwn]

Those temps are normal for Athlon XPs.

[Monster Jedi]

If you have 20 quid to play with. I'd personally stick another 512megs in it

[marky]

Originally Posted by Monster Jedi

If you have 20 quid to play with. I'd personally stick another 512megs in it

[mrlipring]

what exactly does it shoot up to? what's the temperature inside your case?

[cookie_365]

Oops - should have said - it shoots up to mid 60s & the computer alarm starts beeping

I definitely need the cooler!

[marky]

Originally Posted by cookie_365

Oops - should have said - it shoots up to mid 60s & the computer alarm starts beeping

I definitely need the cooler!

maybe it wants the dust cleaning off

[cookie_365]

Originally Posted by markymoan

maybe it wants the dust cleaning off

Think it needs a bit more than that !

The PC is quite clean inside - I'm assuming that the paste stuff must have dried out and not conducting the heat properly/the heatsink's crap and was only just staying the right side of the alarm temp when the weather was a bit cooler.

Anyhow, I appreciate that changing the cooler isn't without its risks - I can imaging what a big crack on the motherboard looks like - but I'm up for the risk - and it might even provide a great excuse for a new PC

So - back to the original Q - assuming it's the cooler, any recs ??
__________________

Originally Posted by Monster Jedi

If you have 20 quid to play with. I'd personally stick another 512megs in it

Err, that's going to make it hotter, not cooler

also you will only be able to buy 512 meg of crap ram for 20 quid

reseat cpu clean heatsink and fan and use good thermal compound if this does not cool it down how about a nice zalman http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...alman_121.html

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

also you will only be able to buy 512 meg of crap ram for 20 quid

reseat cpu clean heatsink and fan and use good thermal compound if this does not cool it down how about a nice zalman http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...alman_121.html

I agree with the idea to reseat the cpu with a decent compound, first, and see how that goes.

The hardest bit about messing with cpu coolers is the clip, I have found cases which allow dropping down the motherboard still attached to the base-plate are easiest, as you get room to work. Vitally important, when re-fitting the cooler, is that the clip is engaged in one go, any sideways movement is especially bad, as the compound will be smeared about.

[Matth]

The Socket A CPU, the main risk is actually chipping the open core, plus the usual one of screwdrivering the motherboard tracks.

I had over 70C on an Athlon it didn't die, and it didn't beep - if the BIOS is set to alarm at 60 and shut down at 70, I'd up it to alarm 70, shut 80, or even 80/90.

I've also fiddled with S2Kctl (puts an Athlon into low power disconnect when idle, but stresses the transient response of the regulators to the point of instability on some motherboards and RMClock from CPU Rightmark.

I replaced a no-name cooler with a Thermosonic V60-4210 - and I got a spare Arctic copper silent 2L (very cheap, for one that includes a backplate-mounted high/medium/low switch) for a spare... I'd say that is worth looking at, as you can tailor performance/noise using the switch



http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=87736
Also worth a look, a prime example of the ever-popular "wedge" profile, which matches an 80mm fan to a heatsink that's less likely to foul motherboard components - and with free shipping, it's a bargain!

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=55761
And another, though check the reviews, some say this is a monster that DOES foul components, though it's another wedge profile.



http://bigbruin.com/reviews/silent2l/
According to this, Low is for up to 2500+, and Medium for up to 3200+
Looks like it would need to be on high, if you have a cooling problem, as it does not have the same perfomance as the "luxury" models
http://www.systemcooling.com/arcticcooling_cs2l-03.html

[cookie_365]

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

also you will only be able to buy 512 meg of crap ram for 20 quid

reseat cpu clean heatsink and fan and use good thermal compound if this does not cool it down how about a nice zalman http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...alman_121.html

__________________

Originally Posted by homealone

I agree with the idea to reseat the cpu with a decent compound, first, and see how that goes.

The hardest bit about messing with cpu coolers is the clip, I have found cases which allow dropping down the motherboard still attached to the base-plate are easiest, as you get room to work. Vitally important, when re-fitting the cooler, is that the clip is engaged in one go, any sideways movement is especially bad, as the compound will be smeared about.

__________________

Originally Posted by Matth

The Socket A CPU, the main risk is actually chipping the open core, plus the usual one of screwdrivering the motherboard tracks.

I had over 70C on an Athlon it didn't die, and it didn't beep - if the BIOS is set to alarm at 60 and shut down at 70, I'd up it to alarm 70, shut 80, or even 80/90.

I've also fiddled with S2Kctl (puts an Athlon into low power disconnect when idle, but stresses the transient response of the regulators to the point of instability on some motherboards and RMClock from CPU Rightmark.

I replaced a no-name cooler with a Thermosonic V60-4210 - and I got a spare Arctic copper silent 2L (very cheap, for one that includes a backplate-mounted high/medium/low switch) for a spare... I'd say that is worth looking at, as you can tailor performance/noise using the switch



http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=87736
Also worth a look, a prime example of the ever-popular "wedge" profile, which matches an 80mm fan to a heatsink that's less likely to foul motherboard components - and with free shipping, it's a bargain!

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=55761
And another, though check the reviews, some say this is a monster that DOES foul components, though it's another wedge profile.



http://bigbruin.com/reviews/silent2l/
According to this, Low is for up to 2500+, and Medium for up to 3200+
Looks like it would need to be on high, if you have a cooling problem, as it does not have the same perfomance as the "luxury" models
http://www.systemcooling.com/arcticcooling_cs2l-03.html

Wow - thanks for that all - when I can summon up the compound & a bit of dutch courage I'll give it a go

[marky]

has anybody mentioned static electricity wrist bands are recomended but touching the case before touching inside can suffice at times
just be carefull and good luck
mark