Which cooling to use for C2D overclock?...

Hello,

I've recently overclocked my computer using the stock fan it came with for my C2D E6400. I have it currently at about 2880mhz. My temperatures on idle are low 50's celcius. Using the prime95 program on load it hits high 60's. I have Kingston 2x512 DDR2 667 Ram. It is currently running at I think 700 or 720 (I don't remember exactly).

My question is, well 2 questions. First, what CPU cooling would you people recommend to get a higher overclock with good temperatures. I heard that some are really heavy (the tuniq 120?) and if you move your computer often, that you should go for a lighter one. I will be moving my computer across country in the summer and don't want it to break. I also want something somewhat affordable. I don't want to spend 80-100 bux (not yet anyway) on cooling.

Second question is now that I have my ram running higher, overclocking the CPU higher makes the RAM run faster and I am not sure how much this ram can handle. Are those heat sinks for RAM well worth it? I've never had them before.

BTW I am very new at this overclock stuff and thanks for any help in advance!

Hi, welcome to the forums! I understand you want to know what the best type of cooler is that you can get for your E6400? I might be able to help you but I need to know some other factors such as what MB and Case you are using.

Here is my config and it works really well-






E6400@3.5ghz with the Tuniq Tower-Idle Temp 33c and load under dual P95 58c.

This is the Centurion 5 case with the mesh front so air flow is not a problem for me



As far as people saying you cant move your Case around with the Tuniq Tower is Complete BS. Unlike a lot of other Coolers out there the Tuniq Tower has a back mounting plate so everything stays on nice and tight.

I have traveled all over the place with my PC and have yet to have any problems, just use common sense and dont be dropping the darn thing on the ground

I have an Abit AB9 motherboard. (Not the pro)
The case I have is an Aspire X-Plorer Mid Tower w/ Side Window

Here is the site at where I got it:

http://www.memoryexpress.com/index [...] =5764&SID=

not much, just been studying a lot lately (I'm going to be taking a few ap courses next year, and you know how old I am), but anyway, are you going to be vista when sp1 releases? You already have the dx10, so why not (of course, we're talking months in advance though)

Well Im not really sure how well that board OC's but I do know that your ram will probably be a limiting factor seeing that its value ram.

It wouldn't hurt to get some heat spreaders for your ram and a ram cooler like the one you see in my pic with the 3 small fans on it.

I say this because you might find yourself having to up the Voltage in the ram in order to keep it stable and Im sure you dont want to burn up your ram.


I am almost certain that you should be able to get at least 3ghz out of it. Its just gonna come down to that MB and your Ram because the E6400 itself will easily break 3ghz.

Any of the 120mm heatpipe coolers will serve you well. I'm partial to the blow-down style myself, since I have a passive cooler on the northbridge (DS3).

Chiefvalue has the big-typhoon for $37 plus shipping, thats a pretty good deal for a big cooler with fan.

Thermaltake CL-P0114

Well I also have a passive cooler on the northbridge but due to my excellent case ventilation the MB runs very cool at just 32c.

If you have good case ventilation then the MB will not be an issue. I have to agree though that $37 for the big-typhoon is a good deal and its also a really good cooler.

I_Love_tacos, they offer AP courses for 10th graders in your school?
You're lucky, the highest class they offer for me next year is Honors Alg3/Trig, and highest overall is Ap Calc in 11th/12th. Are you doubling up?

Agreed.

I've used an xp-90 on my A64 for a couple of years, and it's been a great cooler (I'm sure the 120 is better, but it was too big for my board). Regardless, I think thermalright makes some great coolers. I think the Scythe Ninja has gotten some great reviews as well.

Some of you were giving prices. I am guessing they were american prices? Anyone know a really good place to get things like this in Canada? That is where I am as you probably know by now

yeah, that's a fairly good site, but I don't know about places like newegg or zipzoomfly shipping out of the US

copper is best at absorbing heat, while aluminum is best at releasing it, it's a tradeoff, and that's why cpu hsf have both metals, but I think aluminum would be best for you, as all the high efficiency ones are aluminum