Heatsink/Fan ?'s about the P4

[Mike360000]

Ok, for all of you who has been following my threads.
I've got my motherboard on the way, and my case supposed to be here, anytime, for my P4.
Next week I will go to the computer show and try to hand pick a P4 1.7 that is stepped for cD0, if I can find one. (With my luck I doubt it!)

Now my last remainging frontier, cooling.
I've been trying to find some information about cooling the P4's, especially the 478 pin cpu's running over 2 ghz. I haven't had much, if any luck, except a thread here from the ol'man about removing the Intel IHS from the cpu.

I can't find many available fans either for the 478 pin cpu.

For that matter I can't even understand if the Retail P4's have the heatsink/fans attached to the cpu's from the factory, or whether they are seperate and you attach it? Nor can I get a understanding of how to remove the stock H/F if it is attached from the factory? Nor can I get a understanding of how delicate a cpu the P4 is, in attaching the H/F?

I found two P4 fans that interest me.
One is the Molex 371650008, but I can't find it for a 478 cpu.
That looks like my first choice, if I could find one for the 478 pin cpu.

My only other choice seems to be the GlobalWin WBW76. It is for 478 pin cpu's.

My last problem and question is: I don't know whether to wait untill I find a cpu at the computer show, and see if it will include a H/F, and use it, (Seems Intel sock H/F are pretty good to begin with.) or whether to just go ahead a get the WBW76 above if I can't find a Molex for a 478 pin cpu?

Any help on all this would be appreciated, or if you can just point me in the right direction..

Thanks,
Mike Lamb

[theflyingrat]

Here's some info you may find interesting.

1)There is no such thing as a cD0 P4. This is a stepping revision that refers strictly to coppermine Pentium IIIs and their coppermine-core Celeron counterparts.

2)The only aftermarket coolersfor the P4 that I've heard are much better than Intel's stock cooler are the GlobalWin you're talking about or the Thermaltake Volcano P4. Not too many Socket 478 coolers are around yet; mostly just basic aluminum ones with low-noise fans.

3)The cooler sold with any CPU (Including Intels') nowadays is separate; you would need to attach it yourself.

[Turbo]

The stepping you are looking for is is D0, not cD0, but nevermind. It should overclock quite well. The c1's get to around 2.1 Ghz, my 1.7 did 2125 Mhz max. So I'd expect the d0's to do better, probably the core will max. out at 2.4 Ghz with aircooling, but as we all know, each chip has a different yield.

Aftermarket coolers. Check out this review (http://www.vr-zone.com/reviews/Intel/P4Coolers/)

Otherwise if money is no object, go for the Swiftech MCX478 if you can find it anywhere yet. I'm still waiting for the darn thing to get over the atlantic.... :(

[Mike360000]

OK, I can agree/understand everything you said, except, the stepping codes. See, I got the spec sheets that gives the cD0 stepping for the P4's, as well as the last/1st stepping for them, the c1 stepping. Me thinks the stepping applies across the board, concerning Intel cpu's, and as Intel upgrades each plant for production.

Thanx and
Cheers,
Mike Lamb

[Mike360000]

Yeah Turbo, that's it! The right stepping code!

I looked at the Swiftech model you was referring to, but it was somewhat heavy and loud. I'd settle for a compromise that would keep me decently cool over 2 ghz.

Also the review I read showed different conclusions than the review you posted; So who are we to believe?

http://www.legionhardware.com/Article/GlacialTech_GlobalWIN/GlacialTech_GlobalWIN_1.php

Cheers,
Mike Lamb

[theflyingrat]

ftp://download.intel.com/design/Pentium4/specupdt/24919915.pdf
this PDF file has all of the stepping revisions/Serial numbers to date. You may find it useful. It looks as if there are three steppings now - the B2, D0, and C1. Some of them are only available as Socket 423s, so be careful what you're reading. Happy CPU hunting!

[Turbo]

It's hard to know who's telling the truth. I'm sticking with the Swiftech, I'll put a low-noise fan on it, as I have excellent case cooling. I've had Alpha's and Swiftech's before, and I prefer a big fat copper base for an air cooled system.

[funnyperson1]

the swiftech will eat up all other P4 coolers out there....

[Mike360000]

Well I looked at the swiftech at the beginning of my study, and I thought it the best to, but dang that weight. Just how is one to be assured that it isn't too much on the cpu and mobo? And the noise rating was quite high. I have a great big AMK, dual 60's with 6400 rpm fans on my P3 right now. And, yes it's loud. Performance wise, it isn't but about 6c cooler than the stock Intel H/F that came on the cpu. Not enuff difference for me to do the same again. BTW if you change your fan to a lower model on your Swiftech, you're only defeating the purpose of the whole H/F in the first place. I think the ol'man's tweak about removing the IHS form the P4 is as good as anything for better cooling. Although I would like to get it as low as possible without deafening me.

Cheers,
Mike Lamb

[funnyperson1]

actually a swifty with a 40cfm Panaflo will be pretty quite and will get you much better results than any of the other P4 heatsinks....should give like 15C less than the intel stock...

[Mike360000]

"actually a swifty with a 40cfm Panaflo will be pretty quite and will get you much better results than any of the other P4 heatsinks....should give like 15C less than the intel stock..."

OK funnyperson, Turbo, you all have me convinced.
I'll try to go for the *Swifty* :D

Now would you suggest I try to wait and see if there are any at the computer show, or would you go ahead and get it online, somewhere? If it is even possible to find? If I don't find one at the show, I'm stuck for awhile, probably.

Also, aren't any of you concerned over the weight of the thing? It's pretty heavy! And what about any concerns with it hanging on the cpu, especially with the IHS off? And attaching it?

Cheers,
Mike Lamb

[funnyperson1]

weight should not be aproblem as it utilizes the screw holes on the mother board just as they MC462 does with Athlon mobos....the only problem with this system is having to remove the mobo to install the eatsink...

[Mike360000]

"weight should not be aproblem as it utilizes the screw holes on the mother board just as they MC462 does with Athlon mobos....the only problem with this system is having to remove the mobo to install the eatsink..."

That's the way I understood things, but I wasn't sure because everything I have read concerning this, isn't wrote the clearest, not explaining anything much. I just wanted to be sure.

Well taking a motherboard out is a pain, but I guess it seems much safer than attaching the H/F like is on the Athlons, and cracking the cpu.

Actually I've been so scared and careful with some Athlons with tight fitting H/F, that I've removed the motherboards just to install their H/F!

Guess I'll go check and see if any Swifties are available anywhere.

Thanks,
Mike Lamb

[funnyperson1]

www.sidewindercomputers.com....they also have a big whole page talking about how to install it...this is where i got the bit about the mounting holes....

[Mike360000]

phew,
I just went to the website you gave and checked out the H/F and mounting,...etc... Boy everything about that thing is big or tough.
Especially the steep price! And I thought 55 bux for a big AMK was high last year!

I dunno because of the price. Still been reading. I found another H/F that you may have heard of, the AVC Sunflower. Ever heard of it? It has a copper base. Every review I've read on it, gives it excellent scores! And it is 2/3 less than the Swifty. You can read a review here!

http://www.neoseeker.com/Hardware/Products/avc_sunflower/reviews.html

It will point to other reviews also.

I also found the place I am going to order from. Check this website out! It is COOL!

http://1coolpc.com/home/

The owner gives personal responses to questions you write in. Gee, I wrote him a question about two hours ago, and had a response within 20 minutes! And this was at night! There's still much I gotta check out there though. Extremely interesting AND check out his policies, unreal!

What you think?

Cheers,
Mike Lamb

[Turbo]

I'll just second the opinion here that weight won't be a problem. The Swiftech will be boltet on the motherboard. No reason to worry really. I've had an Alpha P125S, dual 60mm fans with a peltier on a slot 1 P3, Now that had me worried for a while, but it sat there for over a year without a problem. But then again I didn't move my computer around.

[funnyperson1]

actually hthe sunflower looked pretty nice....