Slight upgrade, few questions.

kcer · 3 Jul 2007 at 13:22

I'm about to drop another 7-800 or so on a new CPU and Graphics Card. The CPU I have at the moment is a AMD X2 4600+, with a Zalman Aeroflower for cooling.

Since I'm not replacing the motherboard, and remembering just how much force was needing to actually attach the Zalman, how easy are these things to get off?

This was the first time I'd assembled a computer from scratch, so I didn't do much tinkering once I got the thing set up, so I'm a little bit concerned with damaging any components close to the CPU base. It's fixed with Arctic Silver Thermal Epoxy, so I'm going to assume it wont be an easy job getting the CPU seperated from the cooler. In that respect, it is advisable to pick up a new cooler due to the current one and the remnant of epoxy it will leave not giving the new CPU as good a surface for the cooler to rest on?

Second, I'm upgrading the graphics to an 8800 model, size isn't an issue as I have a card with almost the same dimensions at the moment. I was just wondering how much of a power increase the 8800s have over earlier models. If memory serves me (I'm at work at the moment) I have a 650W PSU. With the new CPU and Graphics Card, along with a Creative X-Fi already in there, I imagine this should hold up fine, but I thought I'd double check. If memory fails and it turned out it's not a 650W, what's the recommendation to give that sort of setup good cover?

Finally, I'm considering adding another HD and a taking the RAM up by 2gig, will a 650 still cope?

Thanks as always.

bloodiedathame · 3 Jul 2007 at 14:21

The 650 should cope unless you have loads of hard drives and optical drives, or if it is a crap 650W PSU. What make is it?

I agree the Zalman was really fierce to put on, taking it off should be a doddle though, I would actually unscrew the 4 mounting screws rather than the 2 on the clamp. I would also in hindsight put it on this way rather than the way they reccommended.

The 8800s are great, have a EVGA GTX and its eating games at 1920x1200 with highest settings.

Adding more RAM will be fine.

Admiral Huddy · 3 Jul 2007 at 14:28

your 650 will serve you well..

I have a seasonic 600W and I'm running this so it's fine..

As for the epoxy, as far as i know, it's permanent. I have glued memory heatsinks on a grahics card before now.. I couldn't get them off.. of course.. i'd like to hear any tips that will.

as above, having 2gb is a must nowadays..

kcer · 3 Jul 2007 at 14:38

Ah that's great news. Salvaging the cooler and CPU isn't that vital, as I could pass it onto my brother for him to upgrade his machine.

The PSU is a Seasonic iirc.

As for the HDs, I was considering buying a Raptor X, as I only have 1 250gig atm. It was my intention to get another HD shortly after I built it, but I guess it fell into my to-do pile. It wouldn't ever be more than 2 HD's though.

2 optical drives at the moment, that won't increase.

Oh, and for those interested, they'll be going in an ASUS M2N32 WS Pro.

Thanks for the feedback

kcer · 3 Jul 2007 at 14:55

Just checked my post history.

Apparently it's only a 600W Seasonic.

Hmmph :mad:

bloodiedathame · 3 Jul 2007 at 15:11

Should still be fine, you might be able to get away with a decent 520.

Admiral Huddy · 3 Jul 2007 at 15:28

kcer said:
Just checked my post history.

Apparently it's only a 600W Seasonic.

Hmmph

did you not read my previous post

I too have a seasonic 600W.. look at the post #3 above and there's a link to my spec.. :rolleyes:

kcer · 3 Jul 2007 at 17:02

Admiral Huddy said:
did you not read my previous post I too have a seasonic 600W.. look at the post #3 above and there's a link to my spec..

No I read your post, it's just I have less than I thought

I understand that it will be fine given what you're running.

Admiral Huddy · 3 Jul 2007 at 17:07

kcer said:
No I read your post, it's just I have less than I thought

I understand that it will be fine given what you're running.

accoring to my watt meter..it draws well under the 600w.

kcer · 3 Jul 2007 at 17:53

Well I'm at home and just took a look at the Zalman.

The catch comes off a lot easier than I thought, but due to the thermal epoxy and the size of the base of the cooler, I can't get the clamp for the CPU up more than a few mm.

It seems the only way i'll get it past is to either pull it out with the clamp only slightly opened or to bend the clamp's arm out slightly to get it past the base. Ofcourse this means when it comes to clipping it back down, it wont snap behind the catch.

Any ideas?

Admiral Huddy · 4 Jul 2007 at 09:11

kcer said:
Well I'm at home and just took a look at the Zalman.

The catch comes off a lot easier than I thought, but due to the thermal epoxy and the size of the base of the cooler, I can't get the clamp for the CPU up more than a few mm.

It seems the only way i'll get it past is to either pull it out with the clamp only slightly opened or to bend the clamp's arm out slightly to get it past the base. Ofcourse this means when it comes to clipping it back down, it wont snap behind the catch.

Any ideas?

Sounds like your stuffed...

kcer · 4 Jul 2007 at 11:10

Can someone just confirm what the difference in appearance is between the epoxy and the compound?

The one I applied was a darkish brown colour and fairly thick to spread. The epoxy, I assume, would be a clear-ish more fluid mixture?

Looking at the pictures on the order page, I certainly didn't receive a syringe type container that the epoxy appears to be in, but the rounded-capped one similar to the compound. I'll have to try and dig-up the invoice.

When I looked last night I didn't exactly try to take it off since I don't have the new gear yet, but how easily should the compound (assuming it is the compound) seperate?

I won't have to bend the clamp much to release it, and I can just bend it back once it's off. It's just one of those things I'd like to avoid if possible.