Cooler review: why no stock HSF?

Why don't the cooler reviews ever include a stock AMD HSF for comparison? It would be interesting to see how the performance of the boxed HSF compares to the aftermarket coolers.

I would assume the performance would pretty much suck compared to the aftermarket coolers, but I'd still like to see just HOW MUCH it does or doesn't suck.

"There's no such thing as gravity, the Earth just sucks."

Remove the dust!

--
This post is brought to you by Eden, on a Via Eden, in the garden of Eden.

I've got a 1.4GHz Athlon as well and I put a Vantec Aeroflow on it, which has Y.S. Tech TMD (Tip Magnetic Drive) fan on it, which is nice a quiet (31db for 35cfm)... you can check it out at <A HREF="http://www.kdcomputers.com/eui/prime/profile/979/78/component.htm" target="_new">http://www.kdcomputers.com/eui/prime/profile/979/78/component.htm</A>. It keeps my CPU at ~35 celcius on idle and at about 42 degrees under load... even cooler when I turn-up my fans (double-fan Enermax PSU, 2 80mm. Vantec Tornado (84cfm) and 1 TopTech 120mm (104cfm) fan mounted over the chipset)... All I can say is that the stock fans that come with CPUs are meant to keep the fans at about 40-45 idle and 45-55 under load, essentially shortening CPU life-span and in the long run, making you buy a new CPU sooner (and forking-out more money to the likes of AMD or - I really hope not - Intel). Thats why their retail packages come at only $20 more than the OEM, since the retail-box heatsinks are cheaper, and shittyer. If you've taken the time to think about it, then don't be a fool and let yur exepnsive hardware sit and bake with an HSF that obviously meant to pull in more money and not a better system.

Have you ever stuck your finger in a Vantec Tornado? That's 5700rpm right there - ouch. Today's public service announcement: don't play with plugged-in fans - especially Tornados..heh.

Dude, a chip's life is well over 10 years, it's not because it is running at 55ºC that you will buy a new one pretty soon, that is just false information you're spreading.

FYI my Volcano 7 cooled AthlonXP which runs occasionally at 50+, has no "baking" problems and I remind you that even the Wilamette P4 had its own 50+ days.

--
This post is brought to you by Eden, on a Via Eden, in the garden of Eden. <P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Eden on 01/18/03 10:01 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

I sent another email to the reviewer.

Nightmare

i find it pretty amusing that people are actually convinced that using an aftermarket cooler will increase the lifespan of their cpu (no ocing). Atleast for the stock intel hsf which is excellent. Can't speak for AMD.

"There is no dark or light side, only power and those too weak to seek it."

I've had mixed results with stock fans for the P4. One stock fan served me well. I am ready to replace a stock fan for a p4 2.4 533 sitting on a P4 1.8a 100 at stock speed. It is variable speed, but does nto want to exceed 2582 RPM. As a result, the CPU gets above 60 C when I setup the Distributive Computing software linked in my sig.
I run two P4 2.4 533 at 2.7 with Volcano 7+ fans and avg temp of 45 C in the same room running full bore FPU 24/7.
I think IF I had a frame of independent reference, then I could intelligntly know if it was a substandard fan, or normal for the stock fan to allow the CPU to get that warm.
I'm more concerned about my comfort level when a retail P4 has temps seriously above 50 C. If I had a framoe of reference under standardized tests, it would help me know more about my current concerns.

Every working computer must be improved .... or replaced ...

<A HREF="http://members.ud.com/services/teams/team.htm?id=510E6639-84A1-465D-A914-07BDB039E379" target="_new">Join the THG Team.</A>

Hmm yeah, my old P2 350MMX had that. You just have to let the fan settle for a few minutes post-bootup and it's fine. And I find it normal after 1-2 years of running, so you should not worry.



--
This post is brought to you by Eden, on a Via Eden, in the garden of Eden.

Yes but you are running a much stronger HSF at 4500RPM. You're telling me his 2.4B at full load which generates 47ºC on the retail, should be about 3ºC less with your HSF, despite we're talking about a different speed grade?

--
This post is brought to you by Eden, on a Via Eden, in the garden of Eden.

Depends on what other cooling fans are going. I do all I can to avoid heat buildup inside the case. In my older setups, that was a factor especially in summer. I run two large intake fans on the side aimed directly at the CPU and memory plus two 80 mm exhaust fans out the back right near the CPU. I run 4 80mm intake fans up front. I'm a fan freek. I bought a case that helps me do just that ... eleven fans not counting the CPU fan and powersupply fan. The case manufacturer has redesigned the case recently ... only one large fan up front replacing the 4 80 mm fans.


The unit that I mentioned above at 60C full bore dropped to about 50-52C after I unplugged and replugged in an exaust fan located right next to the CPU that was not working when the 60C was being measured.
Yes, I am telling you the Thermotake 7+ at midlevel setting only made a few degrees difference in my setup.

Important factors ... "in my experience" ... "in my setup"
Your friend's setup is bound to be different than mine in terms of total fans

Every working computer must be improved .... or replaced ...

<A HREF="http://members.ud.com/services/teams/team.htm?id=510E6639-84A1-465D-A914-07BDB039E379" target="_new">Join the THG Team.</A>

Temps...

Running UD.....wont surpass 32 Degrees Celcious...
Running Seti@Home....wont Surpass 34 Degress Celcious...
Running Toast....Wont surpass 34 Degrees Celcious...
Running all 3 at same time...Wont surpass 34 Degrees Celcious...

AMD Athlon XP AXDA T-Bred A 1800+ @ 2000+ Defualt Voltage (1.50) w/ TT Volcano 7 (non +)
ASUS A7S333 MB
256MB PC-2700 CLS Samsung DDR Ram
GF4 MX440 64MB Oc'd 320/500
Enermax 465 Whisper dual fan....
40GB Special Edition WD 8MB HDD....

<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=13597" target="_new">-MeTaL RoCkEr</A>

That still strikes me as very odd. He uses 2 case fans, exhaust and intake and the Intel cooler.

I am far from ever convinced these temps are terminal. He will try to return his P4PE for an IT7 MAX 2 soon, since we want to OC, and Fugger's tests of the P4PE OCs seem to show this board has serious memory problems at high clock speeds, let alone the overvolting Asus does.
We'll see if it comes with the same temps. IMO it is the diode's calibration. 30ºC for a Northwoody at 2.4GHZ 533MHZ FSB, while my Volcano 7 1.4GHZ AthlonXP generated 47ºC?
Not a chance.

--
This post is brought to you by Eden, on a Via Eden, in the garden of Eden.

I think its LAME that noone from THG is responding to this thread. Its a simple and logical question. Would you review a new processor and not give any old CPU specs for comparison?

Nightmare

Thanks AID. I have an Athlon XP 2400+ I'll check to see if they make a cooler for it. I'm sure a giant Copper Sink wil be cooler than the stock one, I just wonder how much? And if I'm not OC'ing much if I even need the extra cooling.

Nightmare

LoL....

Well theres no unbearable noise either just for reference.....my huge Side Panel case fans are not even attached to the case anymore as I moved this computer into my room and the fans attached to the Case wouldnt fit in the slot for the Tower in my Computer Desk.....

The Volcano 7 spins at a misely 3428rpm's according to MBM5 at 34 Celcious under full loud which is quite good on the ears......only hear a VERY low pur.....not even.....its a decently quite system......im very happy with my purchase of the Thoroughbred 1800+ which is at 2000+ defualt voltage.....when I get my new Case and Motherboard than we'll see how far I can push this sucker keeping the noise down... =)

<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=13597" target="_new">-MeTaL RoCkEr</A>

I too would like to see stock coolers included in performance tests.

Some snippets from an old (26 May 2001) Aussie cooler review using a custom 50w CPU simulator: (Lower=better)

Stock Willamette cooler: 0.53°C/W
Bitspower NP478S: 0.50°C/W
Glacial Tech Igloo 3300: 0.53°C/W
Swiftech MCX478: 0.43°C/W (Max fan spd, LOUD!)
Thermaltake Volcano 7+: 0.44°C/W (Max fan spd, LOUD!)

In summary, the stock cooler with good paste is probably fine unless you're into serious overlocking.

Full review at: /www.dansdata.com/coolercomp_p5.htm

I'm using the stock AMD cooler and AS III paste with my XP 2400+. It's very, very quiet and is keeping the processor sufficiently cool even with some slight OCing.

Of course, it's very cool in my house with it being winter. I'm wondering how the HSF will do once summer hits and the ambient temp is higher.

It would be nice to see the stock AMD and Intel coolers included in the comparisons, if nothing else they could at least be a benchmark to start from.

It seems like a strange oversight to me.

"I'm a man armed with a fork in a land of soup."

Short answer: It's easier, and in many ways better, to use a heating element rather than a real CPU in this kind of test. If you want the long answer, read the review from page one. :-)

Personally I don't care if my heat sink looks like a month-old dog turd, as long as it works.