Cooling a P4

[silvater]

I just build my first computer; however, my CPU is running at 40Celcius. I think that is pretty high because I have seen posts of people with P4's 1.6 Overclocked to almost 2.5Ghz and they have it running at 40/45 Celcius.
When I installed my CPU, I went to a small computer shop and got a thermal compound. The one that I got came in a syringe. It was just a little bit and it only cost like a $1. The guy told me that it was made by Intel specially for P4's and the small amount was just enough. I put the compound over my cpu, it was only enough to put a really really thin layer over it.
My question is:
Normally how much grease do u put on your proccessor?
Is there something wrong if I put some Artic Silver over this "Intel" compound?
What is a good temperature to be running a P4 1.6 (not overcloked)?
My computer specifications are:
Antec SX840 (PSU 400W)
Asus P4S533
Pentium 4 1.6 (it is not overclocked) Northwood
Maxtor 80gigs
Geforce 3 Ti 200
Because Even if I put the artic Silver in it I do not think that is going to improve much. Is there something else I can do to imporve my CPU temperature. Right now on my case I have one fan blowing in and two blowing out. Im planning to install an additional fan blowing in.

 

[2Cool]

Sounds like some generic zinc-oxide based thermal compound, and darn little of that. I like to go a bit over on the thermal compound, as the heatsink will squeeze out any excess when you clip it in place. Normally I place a blob in the center of the CPU, and let it spread itself when the heatsink is on, but with the larger contact area of the PIV you should spread it out over the surface. Cover it till you can't see the contact area through the compound, then attach the heatsink.

Also, if you use AS3, wipe off all the old stuff with a rag soaked with some alcohol. Don't spread it over the old junk...

 

[hmsrolst]

I'm not sure why you think AS3 won't help. I've found that if you follow their directions, and work it down until it's really a thin coat, you should be able to gain several degrees Celsius.

 

[Jeff H]

silvater, that does seem high. I just built a P4 box, w/ an EPoX 4SDA+ board and 1.6A P4. According to USDM 3.10 my cpu temp is 26C. That's w/ an Arkua 8568 HSF and a Thermaltake fan control switch set to the medium setting. I'm not currently overclocking the P4. I am however overclocking the RAM. I have two sticks of Crucial PC2100 256MB, and w/o having to raise the mem voltage at all I have them set to PC2700. It's been two weeks now since I set the RAM to PC2700 and it hasn't skipped a beat.

 

[silvater]

Originally posted by: Jeff H
silvater, that does seem high. I just built a P4 box, w/ an EPoX 4SDA+ board and 1.6A P4. According to USDM 3.10 my cpu temp is 26C. That's w/ an Arkua 8568 HSF and a Thermaltake fan control switch set to the medium setting. I'm not currently overclocking the P4. I am however overclocking the RAM. I have two sticks of Crucial PC2100 256MB, and w/o having to raise the mem voltage at all I have them set to PC2700. It's been two weeks now since I set the RAM to PC2700 and it hasn't skipped a beat.

What are some solutions that you can give me to cool it down. I will be happy if I can take it to the low 30's Celcius. This week Im going to buy the Artic Silver and applied. Is there any other advice to bring down that temperature.
How exactly do I remove the old thermal compound that I have on my cpu. They told me to use a soft rug and put some alcohol in it. How much alcohol do I have to pout in it. If I put too much can this in any way affect my cpu. Sorry if it sound too lame Is just that I spent all my savings in this computer.
In addition to the specifications that I gave before:
Im using one 2700 Crucial Module of 256MB
Thanks for all your input

 

[CTho9305]

40C isn't all that bad.

anyway, "generic" paste is enough. just put on a little blob, then use a credit card or something to make it a very very thin, even layer. you can get a tube of the stuff at radio shack, which works fine.

 

[Jeff H]

silvater, here's what I did in my box (Enlight 7237). First, I cut out the stamped fan grills on both the front and back of the cases, and replaced theone on the back of the case w/ a wire grill. In the lower front of the case I have a YS Tech 80mm dial-adjustable fan pulling air into the case. I also drilled out the holes in the case faceplate, both increasing the number of holes and the size of the holes. Out the back I have a Panasonic Panaflo 92mm M fan, exhausting air. I have the fan wired to 7v and it still moves a significant amount of air.

I have a three-fan cooler for my hard drive. Probably isn't necessary strictly for the hd (Seagate Barracuda IV 40GB), but it does keep it cool, and introduce more cooling air into the case. I replaced the power supply w/ an Enermax 430w FMA unit, which has an adjustable 80mm exhaust fan. Then on the Arkua 8568 HSF I installed a Thermaltake fan controller and set it to medium. It reduced the noise and only caused about a 1-2F increase in cpu temp. I used ASIII, applying a thin film w/ a single edge razor.

 

[Occifer]

What version of Asus Probe are you using? The 2.15.07 version that came with my p4s533 always showed 40 C.

You can get the latest version of Asus Probe here. I am using the stock HSF with arctic silver. 1.6a OC to 2.4 28 C idle 45 C load. Congratulations on the new comp and have fun overclocking this beast!