Zalman NB-47J Nortbridge Heatsink gets Hot

[markwm]

Just built a Neo4 Playinum with a A64 3500+. I swapped out the stock Northbirdge HSF on the MSI board and replaced it with the Zalman NB-47J.

Is it normal for the NB47J to get kinda hot within minutes of turning my system on? It's really hot to the touch so I'm a little worried.

The health monitor in the BIOS has CPU temp and System temp @ around 30 degrees. Am I right in thinking the system temp is the reading from the Northbridge or not?

 

[wisdomtooth]

I tried the NB47J on my Abit IC7 and it also got very hot. Even my IC7's stock orb-type fansink did not get that hot with its fan disconnected.

I got rid of the NB47J and went back to my IC7 stock fansink after cleaning out the fan, lubing the spindle and slowing it down to 3000rpm.

Both were mounted with Arctic Silver 5.

 

[xbassman]

If you can feel heat on the sink, it shows that the heat is being transfered from the chip it resides on.
Just provide some airflow with case fans and the heat is evacuated.

BTW- I have one on my NF2 board. Never had a bit of trouble.

 

[Tiamat]

The heatsink getting hot is an excellent sign. That means that that heat is not staying on the chip. You want the heatsink to get hot for that is its job!! Finally, you need to relieve that heatsink of its heat so it can continue taking heat from the chip. So, get some airflow near it.

 

[Tip Top]

Heat shows it is making good contact.
Never the less, there is no way the chip is less temps than the heat you feel by touching
the metal. So , from what I have read, you need stray air blowing by it , perhaps the stray air can come off a certain type of video card cooler you mount.

 

[xbassman]

Here's an example for you. (my mobo)

My NF-2 northbridge resides just below the CPU socket.
The fins on my heatsink run north and south which directs some air to the Zalman cooler on my northbridge.

link