Will this be enough to passively cool?

tophee · 24 Oct 2008 at 13:09

Hi, I'm running a media centre with a few old bits - the processor being a PentiumD @3.2G (stock). Sorry forget which exact model and I am at work at the moment. Would this cooler be enough to cool this processor passively?
I've a couple of low powered, rubber mounted fans blowing in and two low powered rubber mounted 800mm as exhausts just behind the processor.

Thanks for thoughts.

Chris

Kelt · 24 Oct 2008 at 13:32

tophee said:
Hi, I'm running a media centre with a few old bits - the processor being a PentiumD @3.2G (stock). Sorry forget which exact model and I am at work at the moment. Would this cooler be enough to cool this processor passively?
I've a couple of low powered, rubber mounted fans blowing in and two low powered rubber mounted 800mm as exhausts just behind the processor.

Thanks for thoughts.

Chris

My thoughts?

Unless somebody is running the exact same system, including case, all they're going to be able to offer are guesses.

I would have thought it *should* be able, but guess what...it's a guess!

You may not find out for sure until you buy it, and test it.

mrthingyx · 24 Oct 2008 at 13:37

tophee said:
Hi, I'm running a media centre with a few old bits - the processor being a PentiumD @3.2G (stock). Sorry forget which exact model and I am at work at the moment. Would this cooler be enough to cool this processor passively?
I've a couple of low powered, rubber mounted fans blowing in and two low powered rubber mounted 800mm as exhausts just behind the processor.

Thanks for thoughts.

Chris

P4D? No chance.

In all seriousness, having the two fans in the case is going to render any attempt at a passive heatsink completely moot: you won't get the vibration, but you'll still get that cool 'whooshing' sound of airflow.

Stick with those two fans, and add another (120mm) onto the heatsink you you will probably be fine. Modern heatsinks are very, very quiet so you shouldn't have a problem.

HeX · 24 Oct 2008 at 13:39

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...CPU Cooler (Socket 478/754/939/940/AM2/LGA775)

Far better passilve cooler than the TRUE.

The TRUE has very close spaced fins as such you need a lot of static air pressure to force the air through.

With the Scythe it is very 'open' and wide spaced, so it is easy for air to flow through the cooler.

shadowscotland · 24 Oct 2008 at 14:24

Ninja all the way for passive cooling - are you sure your media centre has the room for these towers?

And as mrthingy said - pentium d's are hot cpu's not a good choice for a passive build.
but you could underclock/under volt it for reduced temps.

But if that's what you already got, I'd go for a low rmp 120mm fan actively cooling the ninja and when you upgrade you can reuse the cooler passively on a C2D

tophee · 25 Oct 2008 at 07:01

Thanks guys, that is actually pretty much as I thought re: passive cooling the Pentium D, but your opinions can help me reduce my mistakes

I'm using a midtower case for this it sits behind the tv screen so space concerns are fine. I wish I could upgrade to a C2D but unfortunately money is a bit tight atm. But I will do. But when I do upgrade the cpu, I'm doing the case as well, which will help.
Cheers

WJA96 · 25 Oct 2008 at 09:03

Which Pentium D is it? If it's an 8-series, then no, it won't work, but if it's a P4D Presler 9xx series, then there is every possibility you might get away with it. They were 65nm CPUs and were significantly cooler than all the others that had gone before.

tophee · 25 Oct 2008 at 14:06

Er, I'd have to check which model it is, but its about two years old now I should think.