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Thread ID: 66674 2006-03-03 11:39:00 Prescott Fanless Cooling a Good Option? systm (9904) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
435260 2006-03-03 11:39:00 Atm I have a Cooler Master Vortex Dream handling my 3.0GHz Prescott (very minimal) Since I upgraded my graphics card I have had to push the cpu fan right to max to get lag-free/good performance (especially for DOD/CS Source, BF2 etc). I am wondering weather a fanless heatsink (Scythe Ninja?) with a few 120mm fans would be a viable option with a Prescott, as I serverly need to cut down on noise yet keep things cool? This will mark the start of my venture into building a silent system, and I thought because of frequent gaming, this problem would be a good place to start. Any help would be appreciated

Asus P4P800 SE Deluxe : Prescott 3.0GHz : 2xCrucial512 : 6600GT : 2xSeagate 200GB HD : GMX X-21 Case (stock soundproof)

note. I have been told by a few ppl to scrap the Prescott in favour of a Northwood 2.4C and then start from there as it may turn out easier/cheaper. Any ideas on this as well?
systm (9904)
435261 2006-03-03 16:57:00 What's the paranoia about a bit of fan noise? Keeping the system cool should be yer priority. From the little I've read, fanless CPU cooling is marginal at best.

Re Northwood vs Prescott - I've got both (Prescott in my backup system, Northwood in my current system) and can't tell any difference in performance.
Greg (193)
435262 2006-03-03 17:40:00 I wouldn't.
If you have too much noise change your case fans to quieter ones - like SilenX or something. CPUs are too important to risk no fans.
pctek (84)
435263 2006-03-03 20:31:00 I'm a bit surprised you are getting lag with that setup? Do you mean lag when playing online? If that is so then it would more than likely be your internet connection rather than your hardware configuration. I have a similar setup (see signature for specs) and I don't get lag at all really, except on very busy CS:S servers but it doesn't happen very often.

As for cooling well I have just replaced a Titan pure copper heatsink which was cooled by a Zalman fan with a Zalman CNP7700 AlCu CPU cooler and the results are spectacular. The loudest fans in my system now are the 2 80mm fans in my Task PSU... which I'm going to be replace soon with a single fanned PSU or maybe an Enermax noisetaker i'm undecided as yet.

I'd stick to air cooling... there isn't much difference between passive and air cooling (apart from noise levels) and as stated cooling your CPU should be priority... if you prefer low or no noise then maybe you should consider water cooling... but that comes at a premium (at least a decent setup does)

Read my POST (www.pressf1.co.nz) to get an idea of what the Zalman did for me. Incidently my Prescott's overclocked by 450MHz (now running at 3.45GHz) and has been running cooler since I installed the Zalman.

Cheers
chiefnz
chiefnz (545)
435264 2006-03-03 21:32:00 Wow! Thankyou very much for all the replys so far. My aim is to build a silent PC so thats why I was thinking about passive cooling. I found someone who has the same case forums.silentpcreview.com and funnily enough mobo as well, and his article got me thinking about fanless cooling for mine, although he has a 2.4 NW and is pretty extreme about his silencing by the looks!! I definitely dont want to compromise my CPU's life and are really still trying to gain enough ideas and knowledge.

Thankyou all once again


I'm a bit surprised you are getting lag with that setup? Do you mean lag when playing online? If that is so then it would more than likely be your internet connection rather than your hardware configuration. I have a similar setup (see signature for specs) and I don't get lag at all really, except on very busy CS:S servers but it doesn't happen very often.

I mean lag as in slow graphics performance, mouse movements (not much but definitely noticable, like the movements a Radeon 9550 might make playing Doom3!). All that goes away when a turn up the fan to max or when I dont have my cpu overclocked. ---wow your systm is a lot like mine, right down to the Audigy!---
systm (9904)
435265 2006-03-04 01:04:00 I mean lag as in slow graphics performance, mouse movements (not much but definitely noticable, like the movements a Radeon 9550 might make playing Doom3!). All that goes away when a turn up the fan to max or when I dont have my cpu overclocked
Its too hot.
pctek (84)
435266 2006-03-04 02:04:00 Prescott and passive cooling are two topics that normally go in the same sentence ;) probably not the best idea. If your serious about silent computing the only real option with such a cpu is watercooling. Pete O'Neil (6584)
435267 2006-03-04 04:20:00 I am wondering weather a fanless heatsink (Scythe Ninja?) with a few 120mm fans would be a viable option with a Prescott

You read my mind :). Get a sycthe ninja with 2 good quality low db fan. If its to big get the Thermalright xp120 or xp90c which use a single fan.
CenC (8667)
435268 2006-03-04 07:52:00 Well, since posting this topic on forums I have received many replys that have steered me away from fanless cooling for my Prescott (in order to begin silencing my systm) and into the realms of pointing out the obvious fact that keeping my cpu/systm cool should come first and foremost (especially when it is my main/only rig and used for everything, wrk/games etc). In this case I believe that this is the most valid point and have decided to purchase a quality fan-cooled heatsink for the Prescott that can also be considered/used in my 'silent systm' project at a later date. Besides which it will go well with my recent purchases - an X-21 soundproofed case and 3 Nexus 80mm's.

A big thankyou to all who posted so far, very much appreciated :thumbs:
systm (9904)
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