Did I get the wrong cooler?

[cdub1980]

I bought a Phenom II X4 965 BE and put a CoolerMaster Hyper N520 to cool it. I've tried facing it back towards my rear exhaust, and also up towards the 2 fans on the top of my case.

Overclocked from 3.4GHz to 4GHz, either configuration gets me the same results, temps are 33-37C idle, 55-61C at load. I've seen many people tout better cooling performance with other coolers such as the Hyper 212, or more expensive options like the Zalman CNSP900 (or whatever that Zalman one is...). I'm also hitting 65C+ when stress testing with Prime95.

I noticed today on the CoolerMaster website that the Phenom II's are not listed as compatible processors for the N520. Did I get the wrong cooler? Should I consider trying a cooler that lists the Phenom II as a compatible CPU?

I've been told before that those are pretty normal temps all things considered, but it just seems that I should be getting better performance from an aftermarket cooler. Any ideas?

 

[saint19]

Here is the official page of the product and it's an universal cooler, so, support Intel and AMD.

What way do you installed the cooler? What case do you have?

 

[slcmike]

At 4ghz your temps are great. In fact my 955 runs about the same and im only at 3.9ghz. You Prime95 temps are always going to be the extreme and yours are normal.

 

[cdub1980]

Here is the official page of the product and it's an universal cooler, so, support Intel and AMD.

What way do you installed the cooler? What case do you have?

I've had the blowing out the rear exhaust and tried blowing out the top of the case as well. Temps are with 1 degree, so not much difference either way.

I know that it supports AMD, however, if you look at the supported processors, Phenom, not Phenom II is listed for AMD. Additionally, if you look at the other coolers, the Phenom II is specifically listed.

While it certainly fits my socket, I'm not sure it's sufficient for the actual processor. I've found reviews stating that the N520 barely supports a 125W TDP CPU.

I'm using the Diablotek EVO case. It has 4 120mm fans (front intake, rear exhaust, 2 x top exhaust) and I installed a CoolerMaster Excalibur 120mm on the side for cool air intake onto the GPU. So 5 fans in all.

 

[cdub1980]

At 4ghz your temps are great. In fact my 955 runs about the same and im only at 3.9ghz. You Prime95 temps are always going to be the extreme and yours are normal.

I appreciate your response - I know you've responded to me before on a similar question. My beef here is simply that I see post after post after post of people stating that they never hit above 50C or hit low 50's OC'd running Prime95 for 5 hours with the same or a similar CPU. Is that all just horse-poo or are people really seeing that kind of performance from a 212+?

 

[slcmike]

My last Prime95 run had my temps topping off at 59 degrees. I can see getting mid 50s on my 955 with a higher end cooler.

Whats your voltage at?

 

[cdub1980]

My last Prime95 run had my temps topping off at 59 degrees. I can see getting mid 50s on my 955 with a higher end cooler.

Whats your voltage at?

I actually dropped the voltage to try and bring the temps down a bit. I am stable at 1.40v (as opposed to stock at 1.45v).

 

[saint19]

What revision is your CPU?

 

[cdub1980]

What revision is your CPU?

I believe it is C3

 

[saint19]

If it's C3 you can get those 4GHz with a decent low voltage, try to low the voltage of your CPU and test for stability.

 

[cdub1980]

If it's C3 you can get those 4GHz with a decent low voltage, try to low the voltage of your CPU and test for stability.

Will do tonight and see what happens. I've also found the 212+ for $20 at a local store, so I figure it's worth a shot, if nothing else, just for testing purposes. I'll put that on tonight and report my results.

After I test it with the same clock and voltages, I'll start working on a stable voltage and let you guys know where I land. I've had success with the voltage down to 1.375v but it's been kinda moody below 1.40v and crashes occassionally.

 

[beenthere]

The Coolermaster N520 is a light duty HSF. The Hyper 212+ is much more capable.

http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2390&page=4

http://www.overclock.net/amd-cpus/902756-amd-overclock-guide-newbs.html

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=596023

 

[cdub1980]

The Coolermaster N520 is a light duty HSF. The Hyper 212+ is much more capable.

http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2390&page=4

http://www.overclock.net/amd-cpus/902756-amd-overclock-guide-newbs.html

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=596023

Thanks for the links! you sir, get the best answer award. So...the end result of my "experiment"...N520 out! 212+ in!

Immediate difference in both cpu and case temps. Before, I was hitting 65C within 5 minutes running Prime95, after installing the 212+ I was sitting pretty at 56C after 30 minutes with OC to 4GHz! WOOT!

Looks like this was a steal at $20 and working much better than the N520!

 

[cdub1980]

Best answer selected by cdub1980.

 

[davcon]

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/19383-cooler-master-hyper-212-plus-cpu-cooler-review-10.html
The N520 is not a light duty HSF btw.
The TX-3 is CM's lighter duty product.
Tested on a i7 920 platform.
So i guess a V8 is a light duty HSF.
The 212+ is just awesome that's all.

 

[stanfiem]

Just to add my 2 cents into this thread (I know it has been answered) the 212+ truly is a phenomenal cooler. +1000 for Cooler Master! And to call this cooler a steal is an understatement at 25 dollars they could be charging 70+ for this bad boy and I would still buy it.

 

[saint19]

This topic has been closed by Saint19