Heatsink for Pentium 4

[ForestHIllsRob]

I'm thinking of upgrading the factory installed cooler for my CPU. It seems that everytime I use MSTS, Rail Sim or Trainz, the fan starts turning at top speed.

I know this results from heavy CPU use by these programs, so it seems the question really is: Would a better cooling device, such as a heatsink and fan, help keep the CPU cooler?

If the answer is yes, any particular brand/unit that has a quiet fan? Also, is it very hard to remove the old fan and install the new device? I have experience installing RAM, video cards, etc.

Thanks,

Robert

[bnsf1959]

I'm thinking of upgrading the factory installed cooler for my CPU. It seems that everytime I use MSTS, Rail Sim or Trainz, the fan starts turning at top speed.

I know this results from heavy CPU use by these programs, so it seems the question really is: Would a better cooling device, such as a heatsink and fan, help keep the CPU cooler?

If the answer is yes, any particular brand/unit that has a quiet fan? Also, is it very hard to remove the old fan and install the new device? I have experience installing RAM, video cards, etc.

Thanks,

Robert

There should be a heatsink in there along with your CPU fan. Does you machine overheat? Do you have something where you can monitor your PC temperature on your machine? It is normal for fans to run at high speed for gaming programs.

[ForestHIllsRob]

You're correct - there is a heatsink, circular in shape. Are the models that have "pipes" better at heat disapation?

I have PC Wizard 2008. As we speak: CPU Temp 131 F, GPU Temp 167 F.

What reading would indicate a problem? I've never had the machine freeze from the CPU over-heating.

Thanks,

Robert

[bnsf1959]

You're correct - there is a heatsink, circular in shape. Are the models that have "pipes" better at heat disapation?

I have PC Wizard 2008. As we speak: CPU Temp 131 F, GPU Temp 167 F.

What reading would indicate a problem? I've never had the machine freeze from the CPU over-heating.

Thanks,

Robert

That sounds it's a little warm in there. You might want to add another exhaust fan on rear of the case if you can. I use a 120mm fan for the rear of my machine and 80mm everywhere else. My desktop machine specs;
Althon 64 6400x2 at 3.2 GHz (dual core) on ASUS SLI Deluxe AM2 motherboard with 3GB of Ram
Harddrives, One IDE 160 GB as main drive, one 160 GB and one 250 GB (last two are SATA drives).
nVidia BFG 8600 GTS OC at 512 MB of ram running on Dell's 19" viewing at 1280x1024 32bits color for max resolution.
Sony DVD burner and 600 watts PSU.
OS; Window XP Pro with SP3
Take a look at my readouts below;
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v46/BNSF733/CPUsensor.jpg

[baldwin]

You're correct - there is a heatsink, circular in shape. Are the models that have "pipes" better at heat disapation?

I have PC Wizard 2008. As we speak: CPU Temp 131 F, GPU Temp 167 F.

What reading would indicate a problem? I've never had the machine freeze from the CPU over-heating.

Thanks,

Robert

Your CPU temperature looks fine to me. Max temps for P4s range from 64C to 78C depending on the model and clock speed. These translate to 147.2F to 172.4F.

Mervyn

[ForestHIllsRob]

I just ran Rail Sim for about 20 minutes - the cpu temperature was 140 F when I exited the game. Is that ok?

Thanks,

Robert

[bnsf1959]

Your CPU temperature looks fine to me. Max temps for P4s range from 64C to 78C depending on the model and clock speed. These translate to 147.2F to 172.4F.

Mervyn

I guess you're right. It may vary between AMD and Intel chips. I don't think it doesn't hurt to add another fan to his case if he can.

[ForestHIllsRob]

What brand do you recommend for the 120mm?

[bnsf1959]

What brand do you recommend for the 120mm?

Just about any brand would do as long it will fit. I only paid $10 for mine at TigerDirect.

[ForestHIllsRob]

Are you talking about a PCI fan?

[ForestHIllsRob]

Ken:

Nice setup - did you build that yourself?

Re the 3GB ram - I have 2.5GB DDR, consisting of two 1 GB sticks, and two 256mb sticks. I'm going to buy another 1GB. Should I:

1) Remove both 256mb sticks?

2) Leave 1 256mb stick?

BTW, is RAM power intensive? I have a 350 Watt Antec ps.

Thanks,

Robert

[bnsf1959]

Are you talking about a PCI fan?

No, This is what I'm talking about; http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3180427&CatId=494

You mound this on the inside back or top of case if you got room and connect the plug to any four wire plug on your PC. Make sure it's blowing out to suck air out.
To answer your question, Yes I built my machine. If you're runniing MSTS with good FPS. I don't think you need to upgrade your ram. 2 GB of ram is plentyful.

[ForestHIllsRob]

Ken:

Can you give me a range for "good" fps for MSTS and Rail Sim? I believe I've been getting 27 fps in both.

Robert

[bnsf1959]

Ken:

Can you give me a range for "good" fps for MSTS and Rail Sim? I believe I've been getting 27 fps in both.

Robert

What video card do you have, internal(mobo version) or external card in AGP or PCI Express? That might make a differences of what you have.
My FPS is higher than that. Average is anywhere from 32 to 59 FPS depending on details in routes. Most around 45 FPS. KRS is about the same.

[Jail]

Ken is right. Your graphic card is the first thing to look at if the FPS is low.
Another issue is how many programs are running in the background while you play ?
3 gig of ram is plenty for MSTS and RAM stick don't use much power if you are going for an upgrade.

[Jail]

Ken:

Can you give me a range for "good" fps for MSTS and Rail Sim? I believe I've been getting 27 fps in both.

Robert

It all depends on what you are happy with. I've got 57-60 on the "old" routes and the new ones can be between 20-40 in Msts


system
C2D E6600
Grfx 7900gtx
4 gig ram
Abit motherboard

[ForestHIllsRob]

Ken is right. Your graphic card is the first thing to look at if the FPS is low.
Another issue is how many programs are running in the background while you play ?
3 gig of ram is plenty for MSTS and RAM stick don't use much power if you are going for an upgrade.

I have an NVIDIA 8500GT 512mb DDR2, factory clocked. I try to turn off almost everything running in the background, especially the anti-virus, firewall, and ad-blocking programs.

When you get 45 - 60 fps, are we talking about a cab view? What should I see in an overhead view from MLT's Bridgeline? I'm feeling left out here!

Robert

[bnsf1959]

I have an NVIDIA 8500GT 512mb DDR2, factory clocked. I try to turn off almost everything running in the background, especially the anti-virus, firewall, and ad-blocking programs.

When you get 45 - 60 fps, are we talking about a cab view? What should I see in an overhead view from MLT's Bridgeline? I'm feeling left out here!

Robert

For me, that's about right in the cabview. If you look in #2, 3, or 4, it will show a little bit less by as much as 10-20 FPS depending on the wag details and surrounding area.

[qballbandit]

For fans, I would recommend Thermaltake or Antec for starters. Check newegg, zipzoomfly, or others to compare prices. What is your motherboard exactly? That could determine the heatsink/fan best suited for your rig, due to layout and room away from the bays or mem sticks, etc..
I used an Arctic Freezer 64 pro (?) iirc on my AMD Dual Core, which hepled cool it down a few degrees.
Ken is right though, unless you think your cpu is running hotter than you'd like, start by better ventilating your case. An 80mm intake on the front, and a 120mm on the back maybe? Or just for satisfying the need to see temps drop, open your case and blow a fan righ on it at high speed just for kicks.

Neil :)

[Jail]

I get 57 on the outside it actually drops one or two frames in cabview. In towns aprox 40-50
The only thing i've got off is Specular Lightning and High detial shadow.

[BNSF4723]

For a cheap solution, grab a can of compressed air and blow out all the fans in your case. Get em real nice and clean, and try to do some wire management if you can. If you've got a lot of ribbon cables going, consider replacing them with rounded cables and tucking away wherever you can.

If that doesn't get the results you want, consider applying a thermal solution to the stock heatsink, such as Arctic Silver 5. I don't recommend doing this unless you feel safe handling the bare processor and cleaning it. You'll need to use 99% Isopropyl rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth to clean both the processor heat spreader and the bottom of the heatsink. The stock thermal paste can be a bitch to get off. A small grain of rice size dot of AS5 should do, on the center of the processor heat spreader. Make sure you don't muck around when getting the heatsink back on, or you risk screwing up the application.

AS5 on the stock heatsink should be enough unless you're overclocking. I've got a Thermalright XP-90 on my P4 3.0E @ 3.6Ghz. Keeps the temps under 55C under load.

[qballbandit]

To expand on what BNSF4723 said, maybe use a q-tip, or another small thin device to hold the fans in place when spraying, as you don't want to over spin the fans, or spin them the wrong way. That can wreck a sensitive or cheap fan pretty quickly.

Good luck!

Neil :)

[TrirailF40PHL]

For fans, I would recommend Thermaltake or Antec for starters.

I've had good experiences with the Antec fans as well.

I can't say that I can agree with the Thermaltake fans though. Not much of a fan of their products in the first place, but I wasn't too happy when the bearings on both one of their cheaper 120mm fans and a 120mm CPU fan from their Big Typhoon 775 processor heatsink begin squealing in just under a year.

-Kurt

[rdamurphy]

The biggest problem I see with most computers (besides the guy who covered his case with refrigerator magnets) is lack of adequate ventilation. They're either pushed back into a corner, with the PS fan against the wall blowing hot air back into itself, or they're stuffed in those silly computer desks with the tiny square slot, and a closed in back. they need at least 18 inches behind them, more is better, don't put them over the heater vent, and keep them out of the direct sunlight of evening. You might even consider buying a small fan to blow into the back of it.

You think you got heating problems? Try it at over 5300 feet! The thin air in Denver makes computers die quickly, and in droves. It's even worse up higher, and with laptops. I can't even set my Compaq on a table, I have to prop the back of it up or it will overheat. Most of the time, I even leave the side off of my case, when I can, just to get some extra ventalation.

Robert