Heatsink/Fan for my setup

[boostm3]

Im getting an AMD x2 3600+ processor to run on a Biostar 550 mobo. There is very little space between the processor socket and the first dimm slot, so I wanted to get as small a heatsink/fan as possible that will do the job, as the only version of the 3600+ I can buy is an OEM version without the stock fan/heatsink.

Anybody know what the size of the stock amd fan/heatsinks is?

Can you guys recommend some small, good, and inexpensive units for me to choose from?

 

[blade85]

the thing is, some of the bigger coolers may be big but they are also made such that you can attach them after you put in your memory sticks. The will just sit right over the memory. Its worth having a look as to how high the heat pipes go before the sink starts to appear.

eg (im not sure if theses will fit your cpu or board im just giving you an example):

in this pic the heatsink is very low and if this was too big a cooler your ram would not fit:

However in this one, the heatpipes are long and the sink doest start untill some mm away from the cpu, so you may be able to fit your ram and then attach it:

any way, what price range are you looking for???

 

[Poxal]

Ah yes the brisbane deal! Looks like a great deal.
As far as the sink, you could use just about any AM2 sink in my opinion. That is assuming you will only be using 2 sticks of ram. Just put them in the yellow..or greenish banks (the 2 furthest from the cpu). Im also assuming those 2 are dual channel, and not one in each color bank. If you had to put a stick in a orange bank then it may get a little tight. Try getting a manual on the board to see which slot configuration is dual channel.
Looking at my zalman and a picture of that board, I don't think you would have any problems.

 

[boostm3]

I just wanted to thank you guys for the info.. To give you an idea how long its been since Ive set up a pc from the ground up, the last one I did, we had to populate the 'simms' slots In Order!! Now I see that, according to the manual that I just down loaded, so long as we treat the 4 dimm slots as pairs, ie, the two orange together and the two greenish-yellow together, Im fine.. So for my 2 corsair 512mb sticks, if the fan/heatsink encroaches on the near orange slot, ie, the DDR2A1 slot, I can just populate the two greenish slots, ie, the DDR2A2 and DDR2B2 together instead with no problems! According to the manual, it says that this is the way to 'Trigger the Dual Channel functionality of the motherboard...'. Just populate the slots so as to keep the slot colors together... the 2 orange or the two green, and it doesnt matter which two I use. What a change from the legacy days!! This is going to be fun.. Even though I have a masters degree in computer science, that was a software engineering degree, so for my hardware familiarty, Im going to have to reach back into my past, to one of my early jobs working in a PC support center of a large company. That was during the XT, AT, up to the 386 era! Might as well be a different world!! LOL...

Im really glad you guys helped me sort out this board thing. I was orignally going to go with the same biostar board, but the 3800+ cpu instead. Until I read more, and realized that the 3600+ was an advanced little cpu, utilizing the 65nm Brisbane technology. Then it became clear that this brisbane promotional combo from Newegg was a little diamond in the rough. I was initially afraid of the one drawback, which seemed to be the proximity of the first ddr2 slot to the cpu.. But now I see with your help, that its really no big deal.

One thing Im confused about... I dont know the timeline, but did the 3600+ x2 brisbane cpu come out before the other Athlon 64 x2 cpus were released, like the 3800+, etc? If so, was there a period when amd was producing both Brisbane, AND Windsor? I also see there was a 3600+ Windsor based on the 90nm tech. This can be a bit confusing when first researching it. Was the 3600+ amd's first excursion into the 65nm technology? Seems the only one offered in the Retail version was the 3600+ Windsor!

I usually like to stay 'vanilla' where possible, but I think this biostar/3600+ brisbane combo at just $150 is very hard to pass up. Now all I have to do is find a good fan/heatsink combo for it; preferably one that wont encroach upon the first ram slot, although it wont be a deal killer if it cant be done...

Poxal, I just looked at your Zalman 9500, and its a beauty.. But I was thinking couldnt I get one just as effective for less than the 48 bucks that goes for? There was a Rosewell RCX-Z1 for about 15 bucks somebody recommended that seems to move alot of air, ie up to about 50 cfm. So, you guys with experience, do I need to spend near 50 bucks to get a decent cooler heatsink?

 

[Poxal]

The brisbane is the newest chips from AMD, and I believe the 3600 was the first. Atleast in the X2 line. I dont pay much attention to the other lines.
If you dont plan to overclock any then most any cheaper cooler will do the job. Just get some artic silver 5 for the thermal compound. The more expensive ones are mainly for overclocking.

Ah the good ole days! I remember owning a 386SX25 (25Mhz) and I was soo happy when the cd-rom came because my rig was the minimum spec to run it! I went out and bought one thinking I am a computer king because I had a cd-rom!

Good luck with your build, let us know if you have any more questions!

 

[boostm3]

The brisbane is the newest chips from AMD, and I believe the 3600 was the first. Atleast in the X2 line. I dont pay much attention to the other lines.
If you dont plan to overclock any then most any cheaper cooler will do the job. Just get some artic silver 5 for the thermal compound. The more expensive ones are mainly for overclocking.

Ah the good ole days! I remember owning a 386SX25 (25Mhz) and I was soo happy when the cd-rom came because my rig was the minimum spec to run it! I went out and bought one thinking I am a computer king because I had a cd-rom!

Good luck with your build, let us know if you have any more questions!

This is such a great forum.. its helped me so much putting my build together. Ive spent so many hours researching, and Im still not done, although I realize Im just going to have to pull the plug one of these days..

Heres my build recap as its stands now. Coming down to the home stretch now, with the last few questions.. First, is there any reason the thermaltake 430 watt psu would be insufficient to drive this build? I know its not as good as a 500 watt unit, but I just want to make sure its enough for what ive chosen.. Obviously, I Think it is, but it would be nice for somebody to 'bless ' it too It doesnt have dual 12v rail support.. Not even sure what that is, but do I need it with this build? Also, this thermal take comes in the exact same config but with PFC Active for 5 bucks more.. Is it worth it ??

Case is a Cooler Master:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811119106

Mobo is the Biostar combo with the 3600+ :
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813138026

And the AMD 3600+ x2
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103036

Video is the Gforce 7600 GT, this one by EVGA:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130062

430 watt psu by Thermaltake:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817153023

1gb Dual channel ram by Corsair:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145566

WD caviar sata drive:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822144701

And LG dvd burner:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827136108

 

[Poxal]

Looks like its coming together nicely! I hate to comment on the psu as I fear to get flamed! 8O I think it would work fine with your build and no intentions on overclocking. The dual 12v rail allows for more amperage. High end video cards and systems require alot of 12v amperage, especially dual video card systems. I dont know much about 'active pfc' but the power supply you chose also has it! Here a basic definition I grabbed.
The preferable type of PFC is Active Power Factor Correction (Active PFC) since it provides more efficient power frequency. Because Active PFC uses a circuit to correct power factor, Active PFC is able to generate a theoretical power factor of over 95%. Active Power Factor Correction also markedly diminishes total harmonics, automatically corrects for AC input voltage, and is capable of a full range of input voltage. Since Active PFC is the more complex method of Power Factor Correction, it is more expensive to produce an Active PFC power supply. :roll:
Heres a nice calculator to play around with...it may help to bless your decision!
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp
I dont know if you plan to run vista anytime soon or not. You should think about getting 2G if you are. If not you should atleast get the cas4 ram for an extra $13. Its well worth it!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145040

 

[boostm3]

Looks like its coming together nicely! I hate to comment on the psu as I fear to get flamed! 8O I think it would work fine with your build and no intentions on overclocking. The dual 12v rail allows for more amperage. High end video cards and systems require alot of 12v amperage, especially dual video card systems. I dont know much about 'active pfc' but the power supply you chose also has it! Here a basic definition I grabbed.
The preferable type of PFC is Active Power Factor Correction (Active PFC) since it provides more efficient power frequency. Because Active PFC uses a circuit to correct power factor, Active PFC is able to generate a theoretical power factor of over 95%. Active Power Factor Correction also markedly diminishes total harmonics, automatically corrects for AC input voltage, and is capable of a full range of input voltage. Since Active PFC is the more complex method of Power Factor Correction, it is more expensive to produce an Active PFC power supply. :roll:
Heres a nice calculator to play around with...it may help to bless your decision!
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp
I dont know if you plan to run vista anytime soon or not. You should think about getting 2G if you are. If not you should atleast get the cas4 ram for an extra $13. Its well worth it!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145040

Poxal, thank you so much ... your suggestion about the same ram but with the better timings makes so much sense, i just hadnt seen it when I ordered. Im making the change to the build right away. As for the psu, I do plan on doing some small overclocking. I mean, even though Im not a gamer (yet), since the bios on the biostar mobo comes with a very good oc section which makes setting at least modest oc a no brainer, and since both the mobo and the cpu i chose are excellent ocers, I might as well at least try some modest increases after awhile. I wont be happy if the thermaltake 430 psu cant handle it. However, I filled in that calculater, and even going with more equipment than I ve got, it still says that 400w would be enough, and Ive got 430 with a very efficient psu. So I dont see why I shouldnt be fine.

As for vista, maybe in a year, but Gartner has advised their clients to stay away for the first year or more.. Too little driver and vendor support to make it the standard as of yet. If I need more ram I can always add sticks later. Because the biostar board places the first ram slot so close to the cpu socket, I searched far and wide for an HSF for my 3600+ oem ecu that is both K8 compatible, and, smaller than 90mm.. Well I found one by masscool. Heres the description:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835150059

As you can see, its out of stock, but I just sourced and ordered it elsewhere so it will be here when my build arrives. Inexpensive, fairly effective, and not too loud.. And its size might allow me to use all four of my ram slots when I have to add more 512 sticks to reach 2 gb down the road.

Well, thats about it.. thanks again for your assistance..... NOw the fun part: assembly