Q6600 Temperature Problems

Chalex4

Chalex4

Chalex4

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Joined
13 Dec 2007
Posts
283
Location
Oxford
Hey guys,

I recently built my new computer housing a Q6600 (G0 stepping) on an Asus Maximus Formula with 2GB OCZ RAM and an Nvidia 8800GTS 512MB G92 in an Antec 900 case. I ordered a Zalman CNPS9700-LED CPU Cooler since I was wanting to overclock it to at least 3.00GHz. However, after reading the text on the side of its box it says: works on Core 2 Duo, Dual Core Pentium, Pentium D, Pentium 4, Celeron D. As you can see, there is no mention of it properly being able to cool a Quad core. I aware that people have used this on their Quad cores but since I didn't want to risk it I just installed the Intel stock cooler instead.

I have had no problems whilst using the new system except that the CPU temperatures are higher than I would like at the stock 2.4GHz. Here are some test results:

IDLE (Windows desktop - XP):
Core #0: 38°C
Core #1: 35°C
Core #2: 35°C
Core #3: 36°C

LOAD (using Prime95 for 17 mins):
Core #0: 66°C
Core #1: 63°C
Core #2: 61°C
Core #3: 61°C

The ambient room temperature was 17.5°C and the temperatures were measured using Core Temp. As said above, I really would like to overclock this CPU but it looks like I will not be able to with the stock cooler. All of the fans in my Antec 900 are set to medium and I even added another in the side for additional cooling.

I still have the Zalman CNPS9700 sitting next to me, but after looking around I have seen that lots of people have had success with the Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme CPU Cooler so I was thinking about sending the Zalman back and getting that instead.

I am not too keen on taking out the motherboard again to install a new cooler so it would be great if you guys could give me some recommendations on a good cooler with minimal hassle. I don't know whether the Thermalright has to be installed by taking out the motherboard, so it would be great if someone could enlighten me. Any other advice is always appreciated.
 
Ah ok, I will take the motherboard out then. Are there any other suggestions for a new cooler? Would the Thermalright be significantly better than the Zalman which I have right now (not installed yet of course)?
 
Ok, I will give this some thought and may well choose the Thermalright because of the potential overclocking possibilities. In terms of applying the thermal paste (I use Arctic Silver 5), which is the best way of applying it to get the best cooling possible?
 
Good, that's what I did. I had to apply a thin line then let is spread out by itself when I attached the cooler. I was just wondering if you had any secrets that let you get to 3.9 on air ;) .
 
Wow, nice setup there Pneumonic. If I was to use the Zalman 9700, how do you think it would compare to the Thermalright Ultra-120, Tuniq Tower and Freezer 7 Pro?
 
Also, what fan would you guys recommend getting with the Thermalright? I am looking at the Scythe S-FLEX 1600RPM but it would be great to have some feedback on what you find to be the best.

I am also interested to know if the Thermalright is still better than the competition without it being lapped. I am aware that lapping it does have cooling benefits, but it isn't something that I am particularly keen on doing. Cheers for all the help so far.
 
Ok, so it looks like I will be getting the Themalright with the Scythe S-FLEX 1600RPM fan. I would love to know what fan you are using Pneumonic to get 3500RPM as Overclockers doesn't seem to have anything above 1600RPM. I am sure that 1600RMP would suit me just fine though.

Thanks for letting me know that the Zalman would work, but since it is still in its packaging I might as well send it back and get the better Thermalright.

In terms of the airflow in my Antec 900, the front 2 fans intake air, and the top and back fans are exhausts. However, when it comes to choosing a position for the Scythe on the Thermalright, would you say that it would be best to have it extracting hot air from the processor, and blowing it towards the rear exhaust fan? I say this because I do not have any fans intaking cold air directly opposite the processor because of my drive bays and I have seen lots of people mounting it on the other side intaking air to the cooler. Also, how do you know which direction the fan is going to blow air in before you connect it to the power?
 
Last edited:
Pneumonic said:
In terms of "blow" direction on the fan, they blow the air the forwards from when you are looking at the sticker on the front.
Click to expand...

Ah, now I understand :) . Cheers for all the help guys, I have just splashed out on the Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme CPU Cooler and Scythe S-FLEX 1600RPM (isn't 3500RPM but I am not a crazy overclocker) which should be arriving before the new year. I look forward to to a nice and cool PC that is begging for me to overclock it :D .
 
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