I am getting my Sandy Bridge motherboard replacement so I am wondering if I should get an aftermarket heatsink since I have to buy some thermal paste anyways. It is not overclocked (I don't know if I will do that someday or not) but do you recommend getting a better heatsink even if I am not having any issues now? I am just thinking since I have to spend $10 on paste, and since I need to open the case anways, if it is a good idea, or if the stock one is just fine.
Stock heatsink or get better one for i5-2500k?
- Thread starter jm667
- Start date
spynoodle
Active Member
There's probably no need for a new heatsink. If you're worried, then you can check your temps with speedfan when you get your mobo replaced:
http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php
If your CPU runs at around 40c when idling, you should be fine.
Also if you want some cheap, effective thermal paste, get this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ewill_thermal_compound-_-35-200-059-_-Product
Works like a charm.
http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php
If your CPU runs at around 40c when idling, you should be fine.
Also if you want some cheap, effective thermal paste, get this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ewill_thermal_compound-_-35-200-059-_-Product
Works like a charm.
claptonman
New Member
Could've gotten the i5-2500 if you aren't going to overclock. $15 difference or so, but oh well.
spynoodle
Active Member
No prob.
The k is a good choice. For $15, you've always got the option to OC.Ok, sorry to bring this up again, but I'm just looking around and seeing heatsinks for around $20-30 and I am thinking for that cheap of a price, I am tempted to get one. In case I do overclock, or even if not, it is better than the stock one isn't it? I do have a Rosewill Challenger case though and I measured about 6 inches of clearance from the CPU to the top of the case, so I am not sure one of those ones with 158mm will work. Might need a little smaller one.
spynoodle
Active Member
I guess it depends. If they're on sale, then you might want to get one. If not, then you should probably wait and see what your temps are like. If they're fine, then you can wait and get the same heatsink for less sometime in the future.
spynoodle
Active Member
Sounds like a plan.
Just remember, that's a target idle temp. It'll go up when you do something. Also, you should consider your temps when running something like coredamage:http://damage.vigilantesoftware.com/
They should be in the 60s, topping out in the low 70s max.
...that is, unless you're me, who runs continuously in the 70s during coredamage.
spynoodle
Active Member
I think that it can be done different ways. I like to spread the paste with a toothpick, although some people just put the heatsink on.