Is this normal?

[FlyingDutchman]

I've just finished building my new rig (except for the graphics card, still waiting for that) and I was wondering if someone can answer the following question:

I've got a Q6600 with a Zalman 9700NT cooler. I installed it all according to the instructions, but after tightening everything up as far as I dared, I can still twist the cooler slightly. Is this normal, or should the cooler be absolutely rigid?

I have to admit that I think I put quite a lot of thermal paste on there....

 

[jbj190]

How slightly? Most coolers I've worked with aren't 100% rigid so a bit of rotation is fine as long as the base contacts the CPU properly.

Too much thermal paste is a problem though.

 

[FlyingDutchman]

How do I know if I put too much?

 

[jbj190]

Check your temperatures. Too much thermal paste isn't going to harm anything except your temperatures unless you encased the CPU in it.

 

[Evilonigiri]

A small straight line across the half of the cpu that separates the two dual cores. Just look at Arctic Silver's website, it tells you how to apply it to the Q6600.

Anyways as long as the temps are fine, you shouldn't worry.

 

[tonymarcus]

How do you find that cooler Flying Dutchman, I am thinking of buying that, what motherboard and case do you have.

I'd be interested on how you find the fan speed chaging with load/temp, is it quiet, annoying not noticable etc. Good luck with the rest of your build.

 

[FlyingDutchman]

Tonymarcus,

I'll post on here as soon as my build is up and running. At the moment I'm waiting for the graphics card.....

I'm still not a 100% sure about that either. I've now opted for the MSI 8800GTS (G92), but I keep thinking the GT will be enough (and it's a $100 cheaper...)

 

[rgeist554]

I'm still not a 100% sure about that either. I've now opted for the MSI 8800GTS (G92), but I keep thinking the GT will be enough (and it's a $100 cheaper...)

The new GTS performs closer (and sometimes better than) to the GTX if that matters to you. You also get a dual-slot cooler... Go with the GT if you're on a tight budget - GTS if you just want to have the near best card out there.

 

[1haplo]

The Zalman coolers always can twist. I bent the crossover bar that holds down the cooler to apply more pressure on the cooler and it still twists. My temps are great never above 60 on my E6600@3150 at 100% load.

1Haplo