Problems with AMD64 Zalman 7000 / Antec P160 install...

[ajf3]

Hi all,

Just put together a system in an Antec P160 case... the (probably) easy question is why doesn't the temp show on my top control panel? The off/reset buttons work and the HD indicator works, but the little led with the thermometer icon isn't lit and no temps display - pretty sure I hooked up all the wires per the instructions.

The other problem is HEAT... I have an AMD 64 3200+... Installed a Zalman CNPS7000B-AlCu cooler in place of the stock HSF using AS3.

Room temp = 25c, Case temp = 37c idle, 41c load.

I'm running the Zalman CPU fan at 2400 (ranges from 1200 to 2600), but my idle temp is 47 and my load temp is 66(!) - and that's only after 20 min of Prime95. I imagine it would go higher, but I was worried about it.

I got the Zalman since it said it gave similar to stock performance at 1200 (low end), but I'm getting higher than stock at 2400 (higher end)....

First thing I guess is to hook up the 120mm exhaust fan to a 12v lead instead of to the fan only connector to get the case temp down... hopefully it doesn't make it too loud.

Anyway, any ideas on why it's cooling the CPU so poorly?

 

[hafa]

Your case temp is a bit high, but that alone probably does not account for the temps you're seeing on your CPU. Try removing the heat sink, cleaning both it and the cpu thoroughly with acetone, then apply AS5 as per the directions. Generally, if your CPU is >20F above your case temps, your HSF is not doing its job well.

 

[computer]

I'll never touch another Antec case again, especially the P160 and Sonata (same design). These cases are fine for old CPU's and memory, but not for ~2ghz+ AMD CPU's and high FSB memory. They are an oven. Antec is more concerned with noise, than cooling! Their slow 120mm fans that come in these cases, and no front fan mount provision shows that. As you know, you can place a 120mm fan on the 3.5" DRIVE BAY, but it has no where from which to draw air! Also, any HD's you place in the internal 3.5" bays are blocked from air flow due to the microcephalic design of the drive bay--the HD tray and bay assembly blocks air flow to the HD.

If you want to keep the case, then I'd put a 130cfm fan at the rear, one on the drive bay assembly blowing towards the mobo, then figure out a way to mount another one towards the front inside of the case sucking in. I say 130cfm since it's about the most powerful 120mm fans one can easily find. You still may need to cut a hole in the side for another fan blowing on the CPU region, plus add other smaller internal fans on the mobo.

That CNPS7000B HSF unit is also of a poor design. Why? No "ducting" for the air pressure to the CPU. CPU's are cooled best not by CFM, but by static air pressure (H20/mm) onto the HS. Look at it like a garden hose; a large diameter hose will flow more water, but at too low of a pressure to do any work. A smaller diameter hose may flow a bit less water, but the PRESSURE will be greater and it's the pressure that does the work. One can prove this to themselves by replacing (for example) an 80mm fan on a CPU's HS that may flow 50cfm (like the Sunon KDE1208PTBX), with a 60mm x 38mm FFB0612EHE Delta which is the SAME CFM. Since the Delta is more than twice the RPM (8000rpm compared to 3900rpm), its static pressure is much higher and will give a huge decrease in CPU temps. This would also be the case if the 60mm fan were only ~40cfm, because it would still have more air pressure than the 80mm.

The problem with this HSF unit you're using, is you can't replace the fan. Even if you could, the fan is only blades with only indirect air pressure on the HS fins.

 

[hafa]

I've not used the Antec P160 nor the sonatta, but I've built dozens of machines using the Antec SLK3700AMB and BQE and have found the case design excellent.

The last 4 machines I've built have an overclocked socket 939 Winchester 3000+ with a Thermalright XP90 HSF. I use the stock antec 120mm for exhaust and volt mod a panflow 120mm to 7V for the intake. Case temps run 3-4 F above ambient, processor runs 10-17F above case temp depending on load. The airflow design of the 3700 series is perfect. Air is taken in low through a 8x4" filter and blown directly over the HDD cage. The exhaust is mounted high and has nothing in front of it.

The last 4 machines I built are running CAD 12-14 hours per day and the client is very happy with the reliability, noise level and overall build quality. Most folks I speak with tend to pan the P160, but I've yet to find anyone who can fault anything other than the cheesy front cover of the 3700 series.

 

[akira34]

I've also found the p160 to be an oven when it comes to faster/newer processors and such.

To give you an idea of better temps by a better case, inside my rig, I'm seeing idle (processor) temps from about 31-34C. Case temps run from 25-28C (also on idle). I get about a 10C increase when under load, which is ~normal... I'm using the stock 120mm fans that came in my case, setup as they were from the factory. I do have the fan on the XP-120 set to suck at present (giving me better case temps then when it was blowing). I'll be trying to work out a duckting mod for my processor fan in the coming weeks, which could help with the processor temps... At least I hope it will.

 

[JediJeb]

I don't know much about the case but I do have the Zalman and it cools great for me. To see if it is not cooling as it should, try setting up your mobo outside the case and see if it cools like it should, if it does then you definately have a problem with case air flow. Also make sure any spacers and washers are placed correctly according to the instructions because if you have one where it shouldn't be it can reduce the pressure the HS is putting on the processor and reduce its efficiency.

 

[computer]

Originally posted by: hafa
I've not used the Antec P160 nor the sonatta, but I've built dozens of machines using the Antec SLK3700AMB and BQE and have found the case design excellent.

The last 4 machines I've built have an overclocked socket 939 Winchester 3000+ with a Thermalright XP90 HSF. I use the stock antec 120mm for exhaust and volt mod a panflow 120mm to 7V for the intake. Case temps run 3-4 F above ambient, processor runs 10-17F above case temp depending on load. The airflow design of the 3700 series is perfect. Air is taken in low through a 8x4" filter and blown directly over the HDD cage. The exhaust is mounted high and has nothing in front of it.

The last 4 machines I built are running CAD 12-14 hours per day and the client is very happy with the reliability, noise level and overall build quality. Most folks I speak with tend to pan the P160, but I've yet to find anyone who can fault anything other than the cheesy front cover of the 3700 series.

Yeah, the SLK3700AMB looks like it's designed a bit better than the P160 and Sonata. That stock rear fan though it very weak for a 120mm, only 1600rpm and 54cfm. If you want low noise, then I guess it fits the bill.

 

[ajf3]

Thanks guys... looks like it is an airflow problem....

Some numbers under load...

120mm Zalman CPU Case
12v 2400 62 41
FanV 1650 66 43

Case Open:
FanV 1650 58 41

I just applied the AS yesterday, so I'm hoping the temps will come down some after it settles in... As long as I can get into the 50's under load, I think that'll be OK. I got this whole setup to reduce noise...