After market CPU cooler worth it?

[Matt_Smi]

My processor runs a bit on the hot side, when playing a game or doing other CPU intensive tasks such as ripping a DVD or encoding audio I often here the CPU fan spin up and get fairly loud. For an idea of my temps, idle is around 120-125 F and under load it gets up to 140-150 F. So I was considering getting a Zalman copper heatsink and fan. Will this lower my temps by quite a bit? I know that my processor is known for running hot. And the stock heatsink is seated correctly for anyone wondering, I was thinking of applying some artic silver on it but I have heard some people have good results with these coolers.

[Cricket]

What's your case cooling setup like? How many fans? How are they oriented?

Does the room the computer is in have good ventilation?

The Zalman and Arctic Silver will probably lower your temps a bit but don't expect anything too drastic.

Cricket

[Matt_Smi]

Originally Posted by Cricket What's your case cooling setup like? How many fans? How are they oriented? Does the room the computer is in have good ventilation? The Zalman and Arctic Silver will probably lower your temps a bit but don't expect anything too drastic. Cricket

I have three fans (not counting the CPU, PS and video card fans). One is in the front acting as an intake fan, one on the side as exhaust and one on the rear as exhaust. The computer is not in an enclosed space or anything, like those desks with that seal it off in a small space with a door for example.

[jayb1234]

Try reversing the side fan to blow into the case and see if that helps. Side fans usually blow inwards.

Don't swap the processor heatsink/fan unit except as a last resort, because that will void the processor warranty and so will using Arctic Silver instead of the stock Intel pad.