Ok, here's the deal.
I've got an Intel E6600 on a Nvidia 680I, in a Thermaltake Swing case. Stock CPU heatsink, stock case exhaust fan, and stock EVGA MCP fan. Stock voltages, no overclocking. All hardware is completely brand new, and I'm on a fresh install of windows.
With the stock thermal pad I was getting temperatures of 50C on idle. I went out and bought some Zalman STG1, and applied a thin layer to the Heatsink only. Remounted the heatsink, still got readings of around 50C on idle. Removed heatsink, cleaned with isopropanol again, and applied a thin layer to the heatsink and CPU. Same story. I cleaned off both, and applied a thin layer to the CPU only, and am now getting temperatures of 55C idle on the windows desktop with nothing running and nothing installed. I'm using Coretemp and TAT (coretemp reported temps of 60C while installing TAT).
I know I don't have a front intake fan, but I ordered one, and it's on its way. Realisticly though, the lack of a front intake fan can't be the justification of a CPU that is running 15C too hot. Does anybody have any suggestions? How can I get this damn thing to run colder? The heatsink is fitted properly, and the thermal paste was applied in a very thin layer. (I even tried a thick layer with no luck).
I am damn out of ideas, so I'm really hoping you guys can help me out. Thanks in advance.
I've got an Intel E6600 on a Nvidia 680I, in a Thermaltake Swing case. Stock CPU heatsink, stock case exhaust fan, and stock EVGA MCP fan. Stock voltages, no overclocking. All hardware is completely brand new, and I'm on a fresh install of windows.
With the stock thermal pad I was getting temperatures of 50C on idle. I went out and bought some Zalman STG1, and applied a thin layer to the Heatsink only. Remounted the heatsink, still got readings of around 50C on idle. Removed heatsink, cleaned with isopropanol again, and applied a thin layer to the heatsink and CPU. Same story. I cleaned off both, and applied a thin layer to the CPU only, and am now getting temperatures of 55C idle on the windows desktop with nothing running and nothing installed. I'm using Coretemp and TAT (coretemp reported temps of 60C while installing TAT).
I know I don't have a front intake fan, but I ordered one, and it's on its way. Realisticly though, the lack of a front intake fan can't be the justification of a CPU that is running 15C too hot. Does anybody have any suggestions? How can I get this damn thing to run colder? The heatsink is fitted properly, and the thermal paste was applied in a very thin layer. (I even tried a thick layer with no luck).
I am damn out of ideas, so I'm really hoping you guys can help me out. Thanks in advance.