cpu cooling

raoul_1101

raoul_1101

Member
So, I'm building a computer, and I have all the pieces for it except for something to cool my cpu. Should I not run it until I get some sort of cooling?

Edit: i do have a heatsink in an older computer that I could use
 
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A HSF (heatsink/fan) is required, if not you'll almost certainly damage your CPU (unless your mobo has a feature that will shut it off once temps go up). The CPU (assuming you bought retail) comes with a HSF that's pretty decent and will satisfy most of your cooling needs (unless you plan to OC heavily). If you want to take it a step up, you could order some Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste to use with the stock HSF, or could order both AS5 and an aftermarket HSF. However, buying AS5 is not required, as the HSF comes with a thermal pad (not as good, but gets the job done).
 
My CPU did not come with a HSF. Would a heatsink suffice or should I buy a fan for it?
When you use the gel, you do use a HSF also, right?
 
If you ordered the cpu OEM then you will need a good 3rd party cpu cooler to go on top. For planning on OCing you will want to see some extra cooling to go along with that as well like more or larger case fans depending on far there. Some will pay out for liquid cooling setups for intense gaming and ocing both. For checking the email and running a few games you simply need a small tube of AS5 and a reliable cpu cooler.

Zalman and Artci Silver seem to command the cpu cooling at http://www.xoxide.com/amdcpucooler.html at http://www.coolerguys.com/cooling.html and at http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=574&name=CPU-Cooling You simply have to choose the model cooler according to the cpu you are running there.
 
when having a CPU w/out a heat sink, never attempt to turn a computer on.

1. when using a heatsink, you will need some sort of thermal compound. what it does, is it is placed on the CPU and the heatsink goes over it. it transfer the heat of the CPU to the heatsink. Arctic Silver 5 is the best.

2. you need a fan on the heatsink to dissipate the heat, or in other words, get the heat out of the heatsink. If you are not going to overclock, a cheap aluminum fan will do fine.

3. overclocking is when you make you CPU fun at a higher frequency than it is supposed to. thus makes more heat.

4. if you plan to overclock, get a heatsink that is made of copper, copper conducts heat the best and will reduce heat of the CPU.

5. when looking at the specs in a fan, more CFM (cubic feet per minute) is better. it re furs to how much air it moves.

edit--even more info--

6. if you know the socket type/name of your CPU, you know the socket type you are to look for in a heatsink to match and aline with your CPU type.
 
i have an e6400. im know im going to get the arctic thermal gel, what should i do for a HSF? (im looking for something under $50, and i do plan on OCing later)
 
Will this still be sufficient if i OC my CPU?

edit: and will it be compatable with my intel ds4?
 
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if it is the same socket as your CPU, then it will fit any same socket Motherboard. I honestly recommend a thermaltake big typhoon with a 70CFm fan. quite and very efficient.
 
Since the first Pentiums there has always been a need for a heat sink. The early Intel cpus surface mounted on the board itself were the only one seen without a cooler at times there. You will simply cook a cpu these days without one. Ask the Socket A model I had last year what happens when just the fan alone decides to quit. Overheat alert! The XP3200 there backclocked itself to an XP2500 only speed when it ran later at a 333mhz(166mhz in bios) instead of 400mhz(200mhz in bios) there.
 
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