Changing a CPU Fan - Tech Support Forums

protojo · July 30th, 2008, 11:57 AM

So I got a new CPU fan. It's a Silent 939 K8 Thermaltake fan for my AMD Athlon 64 X2 Processor. So how do I go about changing it. I thought it simply involved unplugging the socket and undoing the clip and putting the new one on. But I read up a bit on it and theres all this stuff about thermal compound. Is it necessary to clean off the old thermal paste and put on some new (and prefrebly better) one? My CPU and motherboard is pretty new.

KarmaKiller · July 30th, 2008, 10:42 PM

Yes, it's best to clean off the old paste then reapply new stuff.
You can clean off the old stuff with a Qtip and alcohol.

protojo · August 1st, 2008, 11:56 AM

Ok. I've changed the fan and paste. But I'm not impresseed. According to Everest Home before I changed the fan the CPU temperature was 25'C. After I changed the fan the temperature stayed the same. And guess what, the noise made is just as loud! I'm quite annoyed because the fan was quite pricey and there isnt much noticeable difference. It's supposed to be a silent fan at 19Dba but it's far from silent. Could it be anything to do with my case? I have other, older computers which are alot quieter then this and have the default hardware (mainly packard bell computers).
Anyway I'm definately going to get a zalman fan controller, it's just way too loud!

DoubleK · August 1st, 2008, 12:03 PM

Your comparing the stock fan that came with that processor to what?

Room Temperature is pretty darn good regardless on air cooling imo. How do the two fans perform when oc'd? Which motherboard?

protojo · August 1st, 2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Your comparing the stock fan that came with that processor to what?

Thermaltake 'Silent' 939 K8

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Room Temperature is pretty darn good regardless on air cooling imo.

That's what's puzzling me. Even when playing a high end game like gears of war or doing anything, it says the CPU temperature is 25'C O_O. And motherboard at 31-35. The air blowing out the computer is cold.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleK

How do the two fans perform when oc'd? Which motherboard?

I don't do overclocking, my computer can play every game i ever wanted

. My motherboard is an Asus M2NPV-VM.

DoubleK · August 1st, 2008, 01:05 PM

It is curious but not uncommon.

What does your bios report? Similar to everest?

Most hard drives now also have a temperature probe. Yours?

The only time my fans kick in on my computer are when I do not have the air con on and it is about 85+ out

protojo · August 2nd, 2008, 11:38 AM

Ahh I see. I worked out how to find the temperature in bios (I couldnt find it before lol) and it is around 36. So in everest is the temperature I'm looking for the one under CPU titled Aux? With the computer on it is around 35-45 when idle, about 60-70 when playing gears of war and the fan gets noisy! Is it advised I use a fan controller with these temperatures?

As for my harddrive, does everest have options to see this?

KarmaKiller · August 2nd, 2008, 12:05 PM

With your temps hitting 70°, I wouldn't advise turning the fan down at all. That's really warm for your chip. I would keep the fan turned up regardless of the noise to stop your CPU from burning up.
How does the HSF mount to the board? Is it by the metal clips on the plastic retaining bracket? It seems like something is off still with you having that high of temps.
One thing you could do, download and install CPU-Z. See what it says your using for V-core.
Also, CPUid has a program out called hardware monitor. Might check that and see what it says your temps are.

protojo · August 2nd, 2008, 12:35 PM

The HSF mounts with metal clips. Could it be I made a mess of the thermal paste? I had alot of trouble putting the second side of the clip on, the thing was only 'just' big enough to stretch over it. And it was really hard to get the clips on without moving the heatsink about squidging the thermal paste. I used the paste which came with it, would arctic silver 5 make a BIG difference? Because I don't really want to spend more money on something which doesnt even make much difference. Plus thermal pads are much easier to apply.

Is V-Core core voltage? CPU-Z reads it at about 1.2V

On Hardware monitor:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+:
core 0: min 25'C max 33'C
core 1: min 21'C max 32'C

Samsung HD753LJ: all 31'C

KarmaKiller · August 2nd, 2008, 12:49 PM

Different paste might make about a 2-3° difference, but not really worth it ATM.
According to those temps though, your good.
Run PRIME 95 for about 5 mins, see what it says the temps are then.
Anything around 50 is ok. In the 60's is high, but still safe. Anything more then that you have a problem.
Also, different programs will put out different temps. I myself trust Hardware Monitor. Everest has been off more then a couple times with me.