Airflow Question

[baz047]

I just build my very first PC and ran into a bit of a problem when doing so. The supplied northbridge cooler is so big that I have to point the CPU heatsink towards the bottom of the case (Which is an Antec 900). I was wondering if this would cause any airflow problems, would it be worth my while buying a new NB cooler that it smaller so that I can point the heatsink towards the rear fan of the case?

P.S when I was applying the thermal grease should I only have applied a thin layer over the center of the CPU? Also, my arctic freezer 7 came with a thermal strip on the bottom, was it necessary to apply grease to the CPU? Or have I just doubled up and caused a heat transfer problem?

Thanks for any help given, I really appreciate it!

 

[Big.Wayne]

If your HSF had thermal goo pre-applied to it's base you don't need to add any more.

So your using an Arctic Freezer 7 Pro? I've seen a few people have small fitting problems with that on newer boards, it snags against the boards heatsinks.

I don't think it will be a problem if your CPU HSF faces upwards as your got a mahoosive fan pulling air upwards also!

 

[baz047]

I don't think it will be a problem if your CPU HSF faces upwards as your got a mahoosive fan pulling air upwards also!

But it's not pointing upwards, it's pointing downwards into the case. Which means that the big fanat the top is pulling up hot air and the heatsink is pushing it back down to chill the CPU.

 

[Big.Wayne]

Oh I see!

Hmm doesn't sound like an ideal situation, what board you using then?

Have you tried taking the fan off the CPU heatsink and letting it run passive? well not entirely passive as again there is a mahoosive roof fan an inch or so away! . . . If your not running a massive overclock you should be fine!

You may be able to mod the Freezer 7 pro so that it fits normally? Post some pics if you can ta!

 

[baz047]

http://us.dfi.com.tw/Product/xx_pro....jsp?PRODUCT_ID=5855&CATEGORY_TYPE=MB&SITE=US

That's the board I'm using, sorry Can't give pics just now my camera broke lol It's not been my week for electronical stuff
It's a good board, just as I said, the supplied NB heatsink Is massive. The cooler I would be buying is passive anyway. and the thing is I'll be overclocking quite soon, as I have a q6600. lol

This would be the cooler:

http://www.thecoolingshop.com/product_info.php/cPath/98_3/products_id/2885

 

[Big.Wayne]

Fair play that is the biggest NB Heatsink I've seen and the first board I've seen that requires you to install it!

I can see why they released the Intel® X48 Express Chipset now! that X38 must get really hot!

 

[baz047]

I know, I got thrown in the deep end...kinda lol
so what do you think? A new NB heatsink and the CPU heatsink pointing outwards instead of downwards? I just keep thinking of the hot air being blown over that bad boy of a heatsink.

 

[Big.Wayne]

No I don't think you should be looking for a new NB Heatsink instead you should be looking for a new CPU heatsink!

Track down a DFI LANPARTY DK X38-T2R users thread and look to see what heatsinks the aircoolers are using. . .

 

[baz047]

I've had a look at the motherboards section and run a few searches, I couldn't find any X38-T2R user threads.
Why do you recommend getting a new cooler? The one I have is brilliant, and it would be cheaper and easier to get a new NB cooler.
i would also be wary of buying a new CPU heatsinks as it might not fit and that's even more money wasted, I'm on a budget here.

 

[Big.Wayne]

Ok so lets get this wrapped up, as its your first build I'll cut u some slack!

Obviously if you had done a little homework before making your purchase you would have found out that you would have fittment issues with your HSF, as it stands you managed to get it fitted but with some airflow issues.

The choices that I see are:

• Buy a new NB heatsink
• Buy a new CPU heatsink that fits
• Modify your existing CPU HSF to fit if possible
• Try running your existing set-up passive (just the case fan pulling air)