Heatsink Question

[catacon]

Hey,

I have two Socket A processors running right now. An Athlon XP 2600+ (I think) and a Sempron 2800+. The heatsink fan for the Sempron is very noisy and I want this computer to be as quiet as possible (it's an HTPC). Whereas, the Athlon fan is quiet, but the computer doesn't need to be. The Athlon heatsink is a stock one that came with the processor and the Sempron one is this one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835150013). Can I switch the heatsinks/fans?

Thanks!

[Alaron]

You sure can. Any socket A heatsink will work. You could also pick up a new one to avoid the hassle of the switch. This unit is excellent: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835151111

[catacon]

OK, I put the Athlon heatsink on the Sempron. The BIOS temp is 48C, is that OK? I thought it was about 37C before, but that was from MBM5 and it wasn't right most of the time. The thermal compound might have been a bit thin, but I'm not sure. Should I be worried about this temp?

Thanks!

[Alaron]

48C is a little warm, but nothing to be worried about. Did you clean the old thermal paste from both the cpu and heatsink when you did the switch? If not, I would do that and apply some new.

And as long as you have good airflow in the case, any temp under 60C is fine.

[catacon]

Yeah, I put new paste on when I switched. I think the air flow is good enough, so I think I will be fine. I don't want to add too many fans because I'm trying to keep this computer as quiet as possible.

Thanks for the help!

[chuck4456]

Always remember that if you glob on too much thermal grease, it becomes an insulator an doesn't allow goo heat passage. I saw a picture in here (somewhere) the other nite in which it looked like someone had spread margarine on the CPU ! Did you use a new fan too ?