*NOTE* This has originated from www.extremeoverclocking.com and their forums. I take no credit in the making of this guide as I am not the aurthor. I am simply reposting this for others to view.
If you are NOT going to Over Clock (OC):
The HS’s provided by AMD in the desktop retail factory boxes are pretty good HS’s, far better than factory boxed HS’s use to be. If you are not OC’ing these should be good enough in most situations WITH good case cooling and many times they require only the addition of a better fan to do an excellent job of cooling.
The cheaper, lower rated A64’s have lesser HS’s included than the more expensive, higher performing A64’s and the factory boxed FX's even has a Heat Pipe HS included!
If you are not going to Over Clock (OC) I recommend that you buy a Retail Boxed Desktop A64 and use the HS and Thermal Interface Material (TIM) (AKA: paste, grease, goo, stuff, etc.) provided by AMD, following the mounting instructions provided by AMD, this keeps your 3-year warranty intact.
If you want quiet cooling, then I recommend that you use one of the high performance HS’s recommended in the OC’ing section, but with a quiet, high CFM fan running at a low speed.
If you ARE going to Over Clock (OC):
For OC’ing we are going to try to always keep our CPU temps under 40C at idle and under 50C at load. Obviously the case temp MUST be under 40C to start with and the room temp even lower. If the case temp is too high, we cannot achieve these desired numbers. Good case cooling is where we start.
For the purpose of selecting and mounting a Heat Sink (HS) for A64 CPU’s, we will treat the various sockets (S754, S939 & S940) as being the same, we will differentiate between Desktop CPU’s having an Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) and the Desk Top Replacements (DTR) & the Mobiles (M) which DO NOT have an Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS). All Mobiles (M) mount the same way as the Desk Top Replacements (DTR).
We will also address the two types of mounting available for A64 HS’s, those that clip-on to the CPU bracket and those that use the 4-hole through Mother Board (MoBo) mounting.
So we have:
(A) Desktop A64 with MoBo mounting.
(B) Desktop A64 with clip-on mounting.
(C) DTR A64 with MoBo mounting.
(D) DTR A64 with clip-on mounting.
HS Selection:
(1) Make sure that the HS is designed for an A64, this seems obvious, but we do have people trying to mount AXP HS’s on A64’s; “There AMD’s right?”
(2) The A64 is a high performance CPU and it deserves decent cooling. If you have a DTR or M you must get an aftermarket HS, as all DTR’s & M’s are OEM only. If you are going to Over Clock (OC) your desktop A64 then you will probably want a better HS at some point. You can get by for a while with factory HS, with good case cooling and a higher Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) HS fan.
(3) Quiet cooling can be achieved for mild to moderate OC’s by using the best possible HS, with the quietest possible high CFM fan. For Extreme OC’ing, quiet will require more exotic cooling methods.
(4) For desktop A64’s any HS labeled, for the A64 CPU should fit properly, this is NOT true for DTR A64’s.
For Desktop A64’s the Recommended HS’s include the:
Thermalright XP-90 http://www.thermalright.com/default.htm
Thermalright SI-97A http://www.thermalright.com/default.htm
Thermalright SI-120: http://www.thermalright.com/default.htm
Thermalright XP-120 http://www.thermalright.com/default.htm
Swiftech MCX6400-V http://www.swiftnets.com
Alpha PAL8150T http://www.micforg.co.jp/en/cat_opterone.html
Thermaltake Silent Boost http://www.thermaltake.com/coolers/venus/rs/a1838.htm
Thermaltake Silent Boost includes a 27.5-CFM Fan and is not suitable for Extreme OC’ing.
Swiftech also offers the MCX64-V which includes Quiet Delta Fan and is not suitable for Extreme OC’ing.
Alpha also offers the PAL8150-M81 which includes Quiet Delta Fan and is not suitable for Extreme OC’ing.
Alpha also offers the PAL8150-M82 which includes Very Quiet Sanyo Fan and is not suitable for Any OC’ing.
There are many other HS available and many of these HS’s are also very good.
No other Thermaltake HS's can be recommended due to their weight and mounting method.
The Thermalright XP-90C is NOT recommended due to its weight combined with clip-on mounting.
Large, Heavy, Tower HS’s are NOT recommended due to their weight and bulk. If you are an expert, then go for it, but the mounting of these monsters is beyond the scope of this guide.
HS Test & Reviews: http://www.overclockers.com/topicli...WS%20AND%20TIPS (very helpful)
For DTR A64’s the ONLY RECOMMENDED HS’s are the:
Swiftech MCX6400-V http://www.swiftnets.com
Alpha PAL8150T http://www.micforg.co.jp/en/cat_opterone.html
Swiftech also offers the MCX64-V which includes Quiet Delta Fan and is not suitable for Extreme OC’ing.
Alpha also offers the PAL8150-M81 which includes Quiet Delta Fan and is not suitable for Extreme OC’ing.
Alpha also offers the PAL8150-M82 which includes Very Quiet Sanyo Fan and is not suitable for Any OC’ing.
The reason that these are the only recommended HS’s for the DTR’s is because in addition to providing excellent cooling, they fit without requiring modifications.
A thin silver or copper shim can always be placed between the CPU & the HS,
if required to assure proper contact. I would rub some AS5 in to both sides of the shim.
In all cases MoBo’s without metal back plates meeting AMD’s spec will require the addition of an AMD spec. metal back plate. Gigabyte MoBo’s with plastic back plates require back plate replacement.
HS Mounting:
Lapping: Alpha & Swiftech HS’s should never require lapping due to their ultra high quality finish, if the finish is not to this standard an RMA may be in order. Thermalright HS’s are also finished to a high standard and can rarely be improved by lapping. Thermaltake HS’s can often be improved by lapping.
TIM: When mounting a HS, the use of a Thermal Interface Material (TIM) (AKA: paste, grease, goo, stuff, etc.) is required. I recommend the use of Arctic Silver 5 (AS5) or Arctic Silver Ceramique (ASC); these are both excellent & proven products. AS5 usually provides slightly lower temps but requires reapplication every 1 to 2 years.
Complete Information & Instructions: http://arcticsilver.com (very helpful)
(A) Desktop A64 with MoBo mounting:
Instructions for Thermalright HS’s: http://www.thermalright.com/default.htm (very helpful)
Instructions for Swiftech HS’s: http://www.swiftnets.com (pdf)
Swiftech by "Impaqt" Instructions with Photos: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.c...11&postcount=50
Thank you "Impaqt"! (Very Helpful)
Instructions for Alpha HS’s: http://www.micforg.co.jp/en/cat_opterone.html (pdf)
Instructions for Thermaltake HS: http://www.thermaltake.com/support/support.asp (very helpful)
(B) Desktop A64 with clip-on mounting:
Instructions for Thermalright HS’s: http://www.thermalright.com/default.htm (very helpful)
Instructions for Thermaltake HS: http://www.thermaltake.com/support/support.asp (very helpful)
Instructions for XP-90: http://www.ocia.net/reviews/xp90/page1.shtml (very helpful)
(C) DTR A64 with MoBo mounting:
Thermalright: http://www.thermalright.com/default.htm (very helpful)
Swiftech: http://www.swiftnets.com (pdf)
Swiftech by "Impaqt" Instructions with Photos: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.c...11&postcount=50
Thank you "Impaqt"! (Very Helpful)
Alpha: http://www.micforg.co.jp/en/cat_opterone.html (pdf)
HS Test & Reviews:
Test: 25 CPU coolers: http://www.behardware.com/articles/568/page32.html
Over 50 HS's Tested & Ranked: http://www.overclockers.com/topicli...WS%20AND%20TIPS
5X A64 Cooling Solutions: http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&articID=135
Alpha PAL8150: http://www.systemcooling.com/alpha_pal8150-01.html
Alpha PAL8150: http://www.technoyard.com/hardware/...150/page_1.html
Swiftech MCX64-V & MCX6400-V: http://www.pcper.com/article.php?ai...pe=expert&pid=2
Swiftech MCX64-V & MCX6400-V: http://www.3dgameman.com/vr/swiftec..._review_03.html
Swiftech MCX64-V & MCX6400-V: http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NjAxLDE=
Swiftech MCX64-V: http://www.motherboards.org/reviews...are/1456_1.html
Swiftech MCX6400-V: http://www.insanetek.com/index.php?page=swift6400v
Swiftech MCX6400-V: http://www.viperlair.com/reviews/co...00v/index.shtml
Thermalright SLK-948U: http://www.motherboards.org/reviews...are/1332_1.html
Thermalright SLK-948U: http://www.cluboverclocker.com/revi...right/slk-948u/
Thermalright SLK-948U: http://www.a1-electronics.net/Heats...48U_Mar04.shtml
Thermalright XP-90: http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/...ht_XP-90_1.html
Thermalright XP-90: http://www.systemcooling.com/thermalright_xp-90-01.html
Thermalright XP-90: http://www.ocia.net/reviews/xp90/page1.shtml
Thermalright XP-90: http://www.ocmodshop.com/default.aspx?a=222&p=631
XP-90 on LGA-775: http://www.legionhardware.com/html/doc.php?id=342
XP-90 on LGA-775: http://www.overclockers.com/articles1094/
XP-90C on LGA-775: http://www.overclockers.com/articles1211/
Where To Buy HS's, Fans, Fan Controllers, Adaptors & Other Cooling Supplies:
new egg: http://newegg.com
Heatsink Factory: http://heatsinkfactory.com/cgi-bin/HFAstore.pl
FrozenCPU: http://frozencpu.com
SVC: http://www.svc.com/
Jab-tech: http://www.jab-tech.com/catalog/index.html
Xoide: http://www.xoxide.com/
Panaflo fans in UK & EU: http://www.dorothybradbury.co.uk/
FANS:
Performance Fan Comparison on XP-90: http://www.mikhailtech.com/modules....t&id=143&page=1
(Found by "kev182", Thank You!)
Impaqt's Recomended Fans Addendum: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.c...02&postcount=64
My Personal Fan Recommendation: http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/pa92ulhisp.html
Sidewinder Computers: Panaflo Fans: http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/paaxfa1.html
(Found by "DNAtoByte", Thank You!)
Delta: http://www.delta.com.tw/product/cp/...dcfans_main.asp
Panasonic PanaFlo: http://www.panasonic.com/industrial...naflo_axial.htm
Papst: http://www.papst.de/english/product...fter_start.html
Vantec: http://www.vantecusa.com/product-cooling.html
I hope that everyone finds this both useful & helpful.
Recommendations, comments & suggestions would be greatly appericated.
Thanks,
Dave
Final Recommendations:
Thermalright XP-90 (under $30) with a 92mm Panaflo 48CFM, 57CFM or 68CFM Fan.
48CFM = Quiet Cooling
57CFM = Good Balance Between Cooling & Noise
68CFM = Max Cooling
If you must have even more air cooling, the new Thermalright SI-120 fits all known mobos &
will accept 120mm fans up to 220CFM, which will provide for some RAM & MOSFET cooling.
The Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 has mounting problems with some DFI mobos!
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