Hot Phenom's

[_DW_]

I just upgraded to a AMD 9950 Quad and wanted to ask other phenom owners about their heat reports. It's one of the 140W monsters.

I currently have the stock heatsink and fan on it. When the system is idle the cpu is running between 43 and 44C. Doing "normal" stuff, web browsing, email, or playing or muxing video the work load is between 50 and 55C.

The temperature really skyrockets when start encoding with x264. On a first pass it will his 60 and 62C and a second pass I've seen it hang around at 65 and 66C.

I'm already sniffing around for a better fan an heatsink. I'm just wondering if other phenom owners see this pattern.

[DJ Bobo]

This is normal with the original cooler if your chassis is not well aerated (max temperature shouldn't exceed 64°C)
If you use a high-end cooler, you may make it stay under 50°C, like reported here (http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/hardware/prozessoren/2009/test_amd_phenom_ii_x4_920_940_black_edition/31/#abschnitt_temperatur). If you don't understand german: test was done with a Noctua NH-U12P cooler (http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=14&lng=en) (costs about 55€), room temperature was ~22°C, the chassis had two 120mm fans.

[Sharktooth]

Yes, the first phenoms (even the B3 ones) run hot but you should be able to work around the high temps with a non stock cooler.

[_DW_]

Thanks guys, that what I needed to know. I should have a new cooler on it in a couple of days.

@DJ Bobo
Good call on the chassis airflow. I have questions about one of fans at the rear of the case. It doesn't seem to be spinning as fast as I remember it. I have a spare that spins at 3500 rpm that I'll drop in. That should help till the new heatsink and I scare up a new fan for that slot.

I'll take the wheels off the case so it won't get any ideas about taxing down the driveway for take off. That is what that 3500 rpm fan sounds like it wants to do.

[DJ Bobo]

I'll take the wheels off the case so it won't get any ideas about taxing down the driveway for take off. That is what that 3500 rpm fan sounds like it wants to do.

rofl :D
Yeah, 3500rpm are a lot. For me, everything beyond 1500rpm for a 80mm fan is too loud. Well, put up with it, until you get your new cooler :)

[_DW_]

rofl :D
Yeah, 3500rpm are a lot. For me, everything beyond 1500rpm for a 80mm fan is too loud. Well, put up with it, until you get your new cooler :)

It is actually not bad now that I got the case closed up. A little more noisy than I like but I can live with it. I can say without a doubt this case has no air flow problems, not anymore. This fan moves twice as much air alone than the other fans in the system. I'm going to call all the system fans bad and replace them too.

The new fan is in the side of the system case. It blows air across the graphics card, the system bus, and next to the cpu. It's like having two fans on the cpu. I'm in the middle of 2nd pass encode with x264. It usually would hit 65C on this but it is currently bouncing around 62-64C.

Not a proper heatsink and fan but will do for a few days.

[Sagekilla]

If you can stick a few nice wide diameter fans (120mm) in your case too, go for it ;) Much better airflow and a lot less noisy. My case uses 120mm exclusively except for 2 fans, and it runs very quietly. Low diameter = low frequency noise = Eternal happiness. Okay, maybe not but you'll get much more bearable noise levels :)

[_DW_]

120's are nice. My htpc has one sitting right in the middle of it. Nice airflow good and quiet box. They phenom only has 80mm slots. I'm toying with the idea of modifying the transparent window and fitting it with a 120. I'm not sure my case moding skills are up to the task.

[_DW_]

Okay this is the beast.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118223

In the pictures it looks like something you would find in a bad scifi movie, modern art museum, or a garbage dump. I'm not sure which.

Any comments?

[DJ Bobo]

No no no, this Zalman may be good for dual core but not for quad core.
You definitely need something with a 120mm fan.
I would recommend the Scythe Mugen 2 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185093) cooler which is one of the best on the market (and is even cheaper than the Zalman you posted)
With this, you won't need the noisy side fan anymore and still gain at least 10°C compared to the original AMD cooler.

[_DW_]

No no no, this Zalman may be good for dual core but not for quad core.
You definitely need something with a 120mm fan.
I would recommend the Scythe Mugen 2 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185093) cooler which is one of the best on the market (and is even cheaper than the Zalman you posted)


That is a freaking monster. I read the first comment and someone is already using it with the 9950. I've canceled the art project and ordered this one. It's on back order so I'm stuck with the blow drier fan for a few more days.

[DJ Bobo]

Nice.
Please share your results with us once you receive the new cooler. :thanks: