Stock Intel Fan Replacement??

[SmokeytheBear]

Hi All,

New build is running great but the Intel stock fan is noisy. I put a lot of money into getting a silent system and that fan "buzzes" a little too much.
Tried an Arctic Cooling Super Silent 4TC. That did the trick for the noise but the CPU temp went up from 90 to 111F, at idle. Not impressed with that so I looked at both heat sinks and thought the Intel was much better so tried to put the Arctic Fan on the Intel heat sink. Height difference did not allow the combo to lock down.

Any suggestions for a new quiet HSF or replacement for the Intel fan using the Intel HS?

Thanks

[morriswindgate]

If you don't mind spending the money, the best one (IMHO) is the AeroCool HT101 or the AeroCool DP102. Both cool better than stock units and are really quiet.

[SmokeytheBear]

The HT 101 looks pretty big. Is there space concerns I should look at? It is a little pricey but if it works it will be worth it.

Anybody else with suggestions?

[Redfallon]

I've got the ht101, it is a monster, installation was easier with a second pair of hands! you have to remove the stock bracket, and bolt it into the mobo, but it fits on the p4p800 dlx, barely clears the northbridge heatsink....it cools well, I only have one fan on it, and the system in my sig stays nice and cool.....i don't know if it's any quieter than the stock hsf, never really turned my case fans off to listen, if you want quiet I would look at the Zahlman (spelling?) I will try and find you a link....here ya go, and from the reviews on newegg, looks like others have used it in a p4p800....those are supposed to be whisper quiet

[SmokeytheBear]

Recently read in one of these forums that after installing a new heat sink you need to let it run for a while so the thermal compounds "sets" before you see the true cooling affect. Do you guys agree?
When I tried the Arctic Cooling Super Silent 4TC, I put it on, saw a high (111 to 120 F) cpu temp and got nervouse about it so I took the new HSF off. Maybe I should have left it on for a while to see if the compound set and brought down the temp?
Nervous about installing a HSF that is so heavy you should remove it before moving the PC, like the Zalman.

[Redfallon]

I've heard the thermal pastes need to "burn-in" and some even say it on the package? You only need to apply a THIN layer though, a spot the size of a BB is almost too large, I spread it over the CPU die with a single edge razor (please be careful ) and put some on the HS then "buff" it off pretty much, leaving just a film....

[Cricket]

Yes, Arctic Silver does have a "break-in" period of 1 to 2 days. I noticed a small drop in idle temps after a few days of use (but I really didn't care since the temps were low to begin with).

111F is only 44C...hardly a temperature to be worried about. 120F is still only 48C, really nothing to be concerned with. If the temps were over 60C then I'd be a little worried.

Cricket

[SmokeytheBear]

Cricket,
I am now sure that was the problem. I put it on too thick and did not give it a chance to burn in.
Redfallon,
I did not realize such a thin layer is all that is needed. I made the CPU "white" with compound. Will follow your suggestion next time but will use a credit card, not a razor blade. Not that brave.

Idle temp was up to 52C but came down a little but as I said earlier I got nervous about it. Was not sure what would happen under load.

Unfortunately I broke one of the hold down clips trying to make the Arctic Cooling HSF fan work with the Intel HS. Got to order another.

Anyone ever try or hear of the Nexus PHT 3600 HSF? It claims to be very quiet.

Thanks All