Arctic Silver 5/CPU cooling

[Pi rules]

I heard that this is one of the best thermal compounds out there for its price, is this right? Would it help if I bought it and used it with this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835186134), or should I just use the thermal pad on it? Also, should I use a cleaner such as this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835100010)? I'm going by a PC shop near my house soon and I may get the thermal compound and CPU surface cleaner.

I think I'll test it out on my old Celeron PC first. Although, it doesn't always turn on, so I'll never know if it worked. ;)

[dbarrow]

Arctic Silver and the newer Arctic Ceramic have earned a reputation as THE top shelf stuff!

Even better, you use such a small amount, "rice grain" size application, that a small tube lasts forever! Don't worry about the price.

Best cleaner is an acetone based product, like automotive carb cleaner, that cuts it quickly, removes completely, and evaporates clean. (Berkebile 2+2 gumcutter in spray can)

Arctic Silver is as thick as tar and just as hard to remove!
Be sure to visit their site and READ THE INSTRUCTIONS for correct application!

[Pi rules]

Thanks. :)

Do you think this (http://www.dslwebserver.com/main/fr_index.html?/main/5-7-adapter.html) would do anything for case fan noise? Again, I would try it on my old PC first just in case and blow an old PSU instead of my good one. My PC is a bit noisy.

Right now, I have two intake fans (this kind (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811999073)) in the front, one fan that came with my case (blue LED, a bit noisy, but moves more air) blowing out on the side, then one on top and one in back (both from the previous link). If I get that CPU fan, should I make the side fan blow in? Or will it create sort of a "short circuit" of air?

My case temps are decent (mid 70s on normal days, but it got to the mid 80s when that heat spell came and it was in the 90s), but I would like to keep it as low as possible.

[photolady]

should I make the side fan blow in Yes on that one. Or for better but quieter, use 120mm fans instead of 80mm ones. If they will fit in your case that is.

And I agree on the Artic Silver, I remove the pad that comes with the heatsinks and put that on. Cpu sure stays a lot cooler with AS5 applied.

[dbarrow]

Once you go wet, you never go back!
Water is reasonable these days.
If you want extreme cooling, get wet!
A side fan blowing in and a PSU fan blowing out at the top are all that is needed.
I am about ready to order water blocks for my GPUs as the intakes on them clogging with dirt is really starting to P me off!
I am convinced the ONLY solution for the Presshot is water!

[Pi rules]

My case only has room for 1 120mm fan; I might get one later.

I would like water cooling, but I don't like the price tag. Maybe next year or something, but I'm still going to get a hard drive, TV tuner, CPU fan, possibly a fan controller, a new mobo for my old PC (I may try to sell it), etc.

Thanks for all the suggestions! :wave:

[Pi rules]

I got the Arctic Silver 5 and ArctiClean but I'm not sure if I should get the fan. I'm recalling my experience removing my Celeron D fan and bending pins. LGA775 doesn't have pins on the CPU, but it would probably be even harder to fix pins on the motherboard. And, my motherboard bent slightly when I installed the stock fan and I don't want to snap it or even get a microfracture installing a new one.

Has anyone here removed a socket 775 fan & heatsink before? Was it easy?

[dbarrow]

If you are looking for better than stock fan performance, check out some of the reviews before choosing one. The stock Intel fan for 775 is one of the best they ever turned out.
If replacing it with something better, look for a good thick copper heat sink base on the replacement.
Also look closely at the mounting system they use.
Some will use the standard plastic pins. Some have additional brackets for support on the BACK of the mobo which require removing the mobo to mount.
This is important if you have a real heavy fan/sink that needs extra support. Many of the big/heavy ones will have a rear support bracket that keeps the weight from stressing the board and socket.

Removal isn't hard, but, if the existing fan/sink has been on and running for some time, the thermal pads on the stock fan will set up like hard glue. Run the CPU up to temp before shutting down to remove. Use a slight twisting motion to break it loose. Don't pull straight up or the suction will yank the CPU base right off the mobo. If really stuck on good, you may need to slip a razor blade between them to get the pad loose.
There is no need to remove the CPU from the base. Just clean it in place before applying AS5.

[Pi rules]

The fan I was considering (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835186134) doesn't have a rear support bracket and it has awesome reviews. I'm just not sure if it is worth the risk of breaking something for the temperature drop.

Does this 7 volt thing (http://www.cpemma.co.uk/7volt.html) work? It does seem like it would work, but would it do anything to the power supply?

[dbarrow]

The fan looks like a good heat pipe system and has a push-pin mount. Your concern with these TALL fans is the weight factor as they literally hang on the vertical mount mobo and leverage puts a lot of torque on the board. This can be problematic on some boards with thinner PCB and few mounting studs. Look at some other brands and find many of them have some type of rear H bracket to spread the strain over a larger area for more support.
Not saying this one is bad... but do check out some forums for user comments before you buy.

If you are looking to increase your cooling, why do you want slower running case fans?
If you want lower noise levels, either choose a quieter fan or look at one of the drive bay mount fan controllers where you can adjust the speed or have them auto controlled by temp sensors.
Although, I find that fan noise levels don't change considerably whether it runs full speed or half speed.