balancing CPU Power vs Keeping Cool & Quiet

[simon]

PaulP - Which arctic cooling CPU fan do you mean? Does it detect the CPU idling and stop spinning itself or is it controlled from the motherboard?

Simon

[onestar]

Can't hear my system at all when watching TV.

Its in another room distributed to house, and controlled using those extender thingies.

[bouchecl]

I'm going with a Sempron 3000+ (Barton Core w/512K L2 cache) and a passively cooled GeForce FX5200 (Asus V9520-X/TD). So far, I'm planning on using the AMD-supplied fan with the CPU. Any comments?

One important factor is the casing. I chose a Silverstone LC11, a combination of sexy looks with good airflow, according to the reviews.

Tipstir: If I had 5 HDs for my PVR, I'd set them in another box, outside the living room and network the two boxes. Were you going for the ultimate "warm and noisy setup"?

[capone]

I have that case.

Pros: Looks great, it does keep very cool as advertised.
Cons: The AGP/PCI cards are handled using a riser card so I think you can only use 2 PCI and 1 AGP. The case is also wider/longer than a usual component, so measure the space you're putting it into.

My only regret was when I considered an Xcard, since they are PCI-only. It would mean putting it right on top of the tuner card, and I didn't want to use up the slot and make a heat sandwhich. Get onboard audio/nic so you only need to add tv/vid.

If I had to do it again, I would still buy, and I love the case. I would have gotten a different board so I could use the 1394 & USB jacks in the front.

[simon]

Don't use the standard AMD fan, its incredibly noisy. The heatsink isn't the most efficient either.
Get a decent heatsink, good quality thermal grease and a proper silent fan with temperature regulation of some kind if possible. I have a motherboard that doesn't support software fan control, which makes thinks a little complicated, so try and avoid that too.

Simon

[Paulp33]

PaulP - Which arctic cooling CPU fan do you mean? Does it detect the CPU idling and stop spinning itself or is it controlled from the motherboard?

Simon

It is the "super silent 4 ultra TC", here is a link with more info. It has a thermal sensor in the heat sink and when the cpu is idling it can cool down enough for the fan to completely stop. You really notice it when you boot the PC, the fan spins when power is first applied and then stops.

[jedbob52]

One thing to keep in mind if you're getting the LC11 case (I have this case also, and I really like it) - you are limited as to the height of CPU cooler you put in it. The Zalman coolers (like the CNPS7000B) will fit (with some possible minor cutting of fins), since they are wider and not so tall. But, some coolers won't fit since they are too tall (max of 75mm to fit in the case).

Another consideration is the upside down motherboard thing - though I don't think most worry too much about it - the heavier the cooler, the more stress it puts on the CPU socket (of course if you use a cooler that uses screws through the motherboard, this is less of a concern).

As far as the stock AMD cooler, that is the loudest thing in my case (I have a Sempron 2800+) - though its still not terribly loud. I have it in the living room at the moment, and the noise level is acceptable (maybe I just got lucky and got a quieter than normal stock cooler) - but I am looking to replace it with something a bit quieter nonetheless.

Finally, to second capone's comment, keeping it cool is not a problem. It really is a very nicely made case. I also just recently noticed that silverstone has a new optional riser for PCI Express - I believe it still just makes 2 PCI and 1 PCI Express slot available in place of the AGP - but it opens up a few more options for motherboard selection with the case.

[capone]

I don't think CPU is your biggest concern for a PVR-only system, w/ this case and just the standard AMD cooler/fan. It was almost 80F in DC today (not A/C inside yet), and I checked the temps inside. HD in the high 120s, case was 115

CPU was 89F. 9 deg higher than the outside air, and more than < 20 than the ambient temp inside the case. I credit a lot of that to the case itself, which makes venting CPU heat job one.

[edit...I think I had the sensors mixed up...I configed monitor wrong...cpu is around 100-110F (active) 80F air temp, and case < 90F]

[capone]

This thread has gotten me thinking about just cooling everything else, w/ summer coming up. I expect to create an a/c seal by June, but you never know when that'll die.

I saw one case fan mentioned below, but that seemed to be on its merits for quiet. What 80mm case fans do ppl like?

I've also seen HD coolers sold. Look like heatsinks, kind of. I think if I got that one drive cooled better, the case heat would drop anyway. Crap or credit to these?

[CaptainVideo]

Back in the PII days I remember we had Compaq PC's with no CPU fan at all. They had a HUGE heat sink. Has anyone done a matrix to determine how far you have to underclock (and undervolt?) to get by with a big honkin' heat sink?