Couple of build questions

[crcr]

I'm in the process of my first time build, and I have a couple of questions:

1: If I am using AC7 HSF to my E2180, do I need to use thermal paste or is the contact fine when dry?
2: I have -ve (female) 4- pin power connectors for my two ventilation fans, where do I connect them and how do I plug in the ventilation fans? There is a 3-pin, do I connect it to the PWR_FAN on the mobo? I have a Corsair 520HX PSU.

Thanks.

[hse180]

Always, Always use thermal paste when sitting the Heatsink to the cpu. The AC7 should plug into the CPU controller on the mobo and the case fans can connect to the leads from the PSU

[Viper81]

You might want to check out this for a guide to applying your thermal paste :

Arctic Silver Incorporated - Route to Product Instructions for Arctic Silver 5

> There is a 3-pin, do I connect it to the PWR_FAN on the mobo?

The PWR_FAN is for normally for your power supply fan but you can plug any fan in to that connector, all it means is that you'll just have to remember if you're monitoring fan speeds, which fan you actually plugged in where

[freddie]

why would you attempt a dry contact?! even if it is a low energy cpu, they are so small these days that energy is concentrated into a small area. good contact is still essential and so a good paste is recommended, that way your fans can be at a lower speed and so less noisy.

if you do try it without paste let us know what happens, temp wise etc!

[KiMi-Tech]

TUT!!..

The AC7 comes pre-applied with MX1. no you don't need to apply any compound to the CPU just put the AC7 straight on as long as you havn't taken the compound off of it.

It has quite a thick layer of it from memory.

[Blackmage]

TUT!!..

The AC7 comes pre-applied with MX1. no you don't need to apply any compound to the CPU just put the AC7 straight on as long as you havn't taken the compound off of it.

It has quite a thick layer of it from memory.

Yes it does come with some MX1, Which isn't bad thermal paste so i wouldn't take it off.

[crcr]

Well, I foolishly took it off to find it had already been applied
I cleaned it off (with acetone because I couldn't find any isopropyl) and applied new thermal paste though (It's not as good, but all a learning experience)

I finished the build yesterday, and it POSTED 1st time flawlessly Was ecstatic since it was my first attempt at building a PC. I haven't installed CPU temp monitoring software: any suggestions that are compatible with Vista 64-bit?

[hse180]

Congrats I use Core Temp...and techPowerUp! :: Download Intel Thermal Analysis Tool .There are also others like speedfan and Everest but those two should be good enough.