New cooler needed after core unlock

ian54

ian54

ian54

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13 Jun 2010
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I finally got round to unlocking my Phenom II 560 BE and got 4 cores running, but the standing temperature is now running at 68C with the case cover off, I'm sure it was never that high before but I've also upgraded the OS and don't have previous records, also using a different version of the monitoring tools.

A test using wPrime 1024M sent temperature through the roof and it never completed, so I'd guess the cooler is inadequate, even with this low spec CPU.

Is this a known issue with unlocking cores ? Does the CPU temperature generally go up ?

I'd like to start overclocking but can't start until I get the basic setup running stable.

Any recommendations for a new cooler, noise is a primary concern, I'd also want to move to higher spec Phenoms later.

TIA
 
The stock cooler that used to be shipped with X2 chips is not designed to handle the heat output from an X4 chip. I know that it used to be the case that the X4 chips came with a more substantial stock cooler with cooper heatpipes whereas that supplied with the X2 chips is made out of aluminium with fins and no heatpipes.

Are you still using the stock X2 heatsink and is it aluminium with no heatpipes?

Either way 68C is too hot for a Phenom II, 62C is the recommended maximum.

For a cheap cooler this is often recommended, however I haven't used it myself:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-029-CM&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

This is also often recommended and is currently on TWO:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-001-GD&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

You may want to consider what HSF orientation you want, as not all heatsinks can be orientated so that the airflow is towards the rear of the case. Choice depends on what you want and how much you can spend. :)
 
Case cover off will increase temps due to lack of pressure bring air in or forcing it out, hence cooling your hardware ;)

Best bet would be a Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus which can be had for £16 inc if you have a play at looking around the internet.

Keeps a 955BE @ 4.0GHz @ 58'c after 24hrs of Prime95 - thats with stock fan and only 1 other fan in the case :)
 
arctic freezer 7 should be more than ample for a unlocked 560BE, have you checked the mountings? thermal paste?

are you running it at stock? also, what volts are going through the chip? post a Cpu-z screeny up :p
 
I followed the advice to check the mounting and inadvertantly discovered the solution, I'm posting the picture because of the lesson to be learnt.

Here's the cooler.
CIMG5102.jpg


Do I spy a few flecks of dust behind that fan ? Let's check it out.
CIMG5103.jpg


Hmm, a little bit too much dust perhaps, maybe give it a clean.
CIMG5104.jpg


Much better, knocks at least 15C off the temperature too !

This has only been installed for less than 6 months and I de-dusted it a few weeks back when I installed new HDDs, I've closed up all the open slots at the back now, should reduce the dust intake.

Thanks to all.
 
ian54 said:
Do I spy a few flecks of dust behind that fan ? Let's check it out.
CIMG5103.jpg

I've closed up all the open slots at the back now, should reduce the dust intake.

Thanks to all.
Click to expand...

OMG :eek:
i do hope you have left some ventilation in the case, or the temps will shoot up again.
 
dont close up ventilation slots in a case, try dusting a bit more often lol say once a week maybe purchase some dust filters for the fans you have on your case will help too ;)
 
As said the stock X2 cooler is a joke. It's easily the worst heatsink I've ever owned.

For now try lapping it + some decent compound. There was frigging tooling marks under the stock TIM on mine! Looked like someone ran a dremel over the contact area! So poor it wasn't even funny.

I dropped around 12c load lapping it (a lot!) + mx-4. I still ended up junking the POS though.
 
The "slots" I mean are the ones where PCI cards poke out, normally covered by a dummy plate, they were all open and I've had dust problems in the past with that.

The case has 80mm fans front and back with a filter on the intake and the PSU is one of these which runs quite cool and quiet.

In all, I favour silence over air throughput, so everything is variable speed, but I think a 120mm on the CPU like the Hyper 212+ would have been a better choice now.

I'm aware of dust problems, I just didn't think it'd get that bad in such short a time !
 
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