NF7-S M/B Fan

c@tbyte · 26 Aug 2006 at 10:59

My NF7-S Northbridge fan has started groaning at the strain, so I've ordered a Zalman ZM-NB47J Northbridge Cooler. (Seem to have been lucky keeping it going so long.)

I'm running a Athlon XP 2200@3200
Is it worth dropping back to 2200 as the fan is still turning ? And at the stock speed can I unplug the fan to stop the noise, but still use the machine. I've seen a post from someone who did this, but would like other input if possible.
Are the plastic 'bungs' re-usable or shall I just bolt the new cooler in ?

I know there have been a load of these boards sold, so hopefully some of those who've overcome the same problem can give me answers.

Papa Lazarou · 26 Aug 2006 at 12:54

Well, I have a NF7-S v2 which I was running an XP2500+ at 3200 speed for a couple of years on. I'm not really one to take PC's apart once they are running OK, so it was only when I upgraded recently that I found the fan on the northbridge was not turning at all. For all I know it could have been like it for ages. But it didn't seem to have any problems running like that.

Now I know the problems there (I'm re-using the board in another system) I think I'll get one of those Zalman fanless coolers if it doesn't interfere with anything else on the board.

c@tbyte · 26 Aug 2006 at 14:13

Ta for that reply Papa Lazarou.
The fan is noisy but still spinning, so I'll leave everything alone for the moment. The Zalman looks quite tall but won't get in the way of anything in my machine. Pity I've got to take the motherboard out to fit it. If I'd known it was going to go I'd have cut the tray to allow access. (Pointless doing it now as the Zalman will last the life of the board.)

M0T · 26 Aug 2006 at 16:38

The plastic bungs arn't reusable (or if they are I failed to get them off in one piece). I think the Zalman came with a mounting kit that worked fine on my NF7-S.

c@tbyte · 26 Aug 2006 at 17:06

M0T said:
The plastic bungs arn't reusable (or if they are I failed to get them off in one piece). I think the Zalman came with a mounting kit that worked fine on my NF7-S.

I'll have a play.
Looked on the Zalman site and yes, it does come with bolts etc.

Thanks.

Justintime · 26 Aug 2006 at 17:15

Have a zalman on mine for years now, works a treat and totally better than that waste of space noisy stock cooler.