Cooling and gfx cards

[Ypnos]

Hi all

I’m new to this forum and I need some advice on a couple of things, please!

One is, I’ve build my own PC and I’m concerned about the temperature levels of the CPU. At idle, in this hot weather it runs at about 42C, but when I’m in a game such as CoD4 the temp goes up to 60C. I’m using a cheap Coolermaster heatsink on it, which I’m guessing is the culprit.

So my question is, which is the best – cheap – solution for a cooler? I have a budget of about £30 for this.

Another question is that I’ve got an XFX 8800GTS XXX (factory overclocked). Is it worth me shelling the £120 or even the £200 for an Ati 4850 or 4870 respectively?

Thanks in advance!

[Mithrandir]

What CPU do you have?

Also what is your ambient (room) temp?
My cpu idles at 45 degrees on my Oc'd opty 146 with an AC freezer 64pro. Load is around 52-54 degrees. When the temps are not so hot then it usually idles mid 30s and loads just under 50.

[Ypnos]

Ah, probably should have mentioned that bit lol

Core2Duo E6600 (not overclocked), 2GB Ballistix PC8500, Abit P35 Platinum motherboard. Also got 4 HDDs in an Antec P910 case, which can't be helping!

Don't really know what the room temperature is. On a hot day I would guesstimate 30C, maybe

[mediaboy]

With 2x180mm fans (one of which isn't working) and 1x80mm (all Xclio, cheap and cheerful) in the Xclio coolbox.. Phenom 8450 TriCore...

39/41/82 Celsius for each core respectively

HD3650, Saphire stock-cooler... fully OCed (DDR3, 512mb... forgetting exact model number) never hits 40 even at full load.

[Noxvayl]

Hi all

I’m new to this forum and I need some advice on a couple of things, please!

One is, I’ve build my own PC and I’m concerned about the temperature levels of the CPU. At idle, in this hot weather it runs at about 42C, but when I’m in a game such as CoD4 the temp goes up to 60C. I’m using a cheap Coolermaster heatsink on it, which I’m guessing is the culprit.

So my question is, which is the best – cheap – solution for a cooler? I have a budget of about £30 for this.

Another question is that I’ve got an XFX 8800GTS XXX (factory overclocked). Is it worth me shelling the £120 or even the £200 for an Ati 4850 or 4870 respectively?

Thanks in advance!

The Scyth mine comes highly recommended and is below your budget

As for upgrading your GFX I don't feel it is worth it. I also have the 8800GTS(Gigabyte not the XFX version) and have had the same debate with myself over the possible benefits of buying the HD4870 and I couldn't find any significant reason to purchase the new card. You will see minimal performance improvements, probably only 8-15FPS higher than what you currently get with your 8800GTS and only in a few games will you get a real good 20+fps difference. Rather wait for something more substantial like the HD4870X2 which is much faster than the HD4870 and will provide you with a noticeable increase in performance over your current card.

[Ypnos]

Ah, I had a Scythe Ninja in another PC and all it did was get in the way... Plus it was a huge pain in the buttocks to attach the fan to it with those fiddly wires... Was thinking more of a Zalman with a lower profile, but not sure which one to go for.

[Noxvayl]

What about this: Silverstone NT06-E or maybe this: Gigabyte Rocket.

Just as a note the Scythe mine comes with a fan already fitted and is the same size as the Ninja(without a fan attached). The others linked above are smaller and in the case of the Silverstone fitting a fan is easy

[HoldenBurn1000]

http://scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=340995

Brilliant HSF. I have one (on an AMD) and its awsome. Easy to fit, quiet and under budget. Very well known as being one of the best for the money.

[Pob255]

Akasa AK-965x3, just as good as the artic cooler freezer 7 pro but cheaper
http://scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=608228

Scythe mine, is a bit over at £25, the fan sits in the middle so no fiddleing about trying to connect the fan, it is quite large and best to fit it outside of the case.
http://scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=383006

The other cooler that come highly recomended is the Xigmatek HDT-S128, slightly over at £22 but very good
http://scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=700899

Over the budget again but very good Thermaltake Big Typhoon
http://specialtech.co.uk/spshop/cust...productid=1348

And don't bother replaceing that graphics card, it's fine

[Ypnos]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! I think I'm gonna go for the Gigabyte 3D Rocket II. I really don't fancy installing a Scythe, certainly not if it involves taking the mobo out lol

I'll hold off on the graphics card too.

Thanks again!