CPU cooler recommendation for unlocked Phenom II CPU

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lchiu7

6470 posts

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#93049 12-Nov-2011 08:05

I have a CPU that identifies itself as a Phenom II X4 B45 but it was a triple core that has had its last core unlocked.

It has been working fine but the past day or so when encoding videos I noticed it just shut down without warning. I suspected it was heat in the CPU and fired up CPU HW Monitor. When all 4 CPU's were running at 100% the core temperatures were hitting 90C! That seems pretty high.

I currently just have the stock cooler in there and think I need a better one. I don't know much about after market coolers but this looked pretty good.

http://www.zalman.com/ENG/product/Product_Read.asp?idx=450

What do you guys think? I do know that running a CPU at 90C is not good. And even idle it runs at 61C which also from reading data sheets seems a bit high.

Thanks

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PassiveFever81

367 posts

Ultimate Geek

#544517 12-Nov-2011 10:27

Hey, just thought I would mention the max temps for PII's are not far over 60 Degrees, so 90 wouldn't really be possible, sounds like an incorrect reading. I had a X3 720 and unlocked it to 4 cores stable, only thing is it ran much much hotter, I mean my PII X4 @4GHz runs cooler than the unlocked one @3.4 with my Cooler Master V6GT.

Now onto a couple recommendations. Depending on your price bracket this is the cheapest & best cooler you could go for http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=14841 CM Hyper 212

If you have 110$ to spare the CM V6GT is amazing, as I said I have a 4GHz overclock rock solid, never goes over 52 Degrees C.
FYI don't go near the Arctic Freezer pro series, they are complete garbage.

lchiu7

6470 posts

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#544605 12-Nov-2011 15:44

well I just checked the temperatures in the BIOS and it said 31C but after booting up the Windows HW monitor utility reports 7C. it can't get that hot in 30s so the monitor must be incorrect.

Still the CPU must be getting hot under load to shut down the syste so a better fan might still be a good idea.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

PassiveFever81

367 posts

Ultimate Geek

#544606 12-Nov-2011 15:46

If it's running a stock heatsink thats the non copper heatpipe one you really shouldn't be running an unlocked chip. The stock cooler that comes with the quads and hexas will handle it fine. Also if its dusty, clean it.

Either way I would get an aftermarket cooler, I never use stock H/S in my builds.

lchiu7

6470 posts

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#544641 12-Nov-2011 17:07

brandonruscoe: If it's running a stock heatsink thats the non copper heatpipe one you really shouldn't be running an unlocked chip. The stock cooler that comes with the quads and hexas will handle it fine. Also if its dusty, clean it.

Either way I would get an aftermarket cooler, I never use stock H/S in my builds.

Well it's the first unlocked or overclocked chip I have ever used so my experience is limited. I think I might get that Zalman I referred to in the beginning of the thread.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.