Stuck @ 4.4GHz - Need a Better Cooling Solution!

[error_f0rce]

I got my i7-930 up to 4.4GHz last night (vcore @ 1.376), and it is at least marginally stable (i.e. hasn't crashed, able to play games, etc.) but I cannot Prime95 it because the temps shoot up too high and the sucker shuts down.

I need a cooling solution that is significantly better than what I have currently (COOLIT Eco), but I'm on a bit of a budget.

Suggestions?

 

[LAN_deRf_HA]

Significantly better? And a budget... Well the next reasonably priced steps up are the D-14 and H70. I'd avoid the D-14 for the size, I find it absurd frankly... and having the H70 I can say I don't think it's worth the massive ambient temp increase. My suggestion is to drop back to 4.2 GHz. I seem to recall games for example not really responding to anything past 3.8 ghz. Just isn't worth the expenditure to get 4.4 running 24/7... especially if your chip is in the above average heat output category like mine.

 

[dark2099]

One cheaper upgrade is to put a better fan (or 2) on the RAD so that more air is moved, but that can cause issues with noise. Depending on your tolerance I would recommend either 2 Scythe 3k Ultra Kazes or Scythe Slipstream 1900RPMs.

 

[newtekie1]

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.p...sk=view&id=512&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=3

That would seem to suggest that a fan upgrade over the stock fan on the ECO can result in a very significant performance increase. It seems you can get a 15°C drop just by putting a better fan on it, and I'm betting you can get a close to 20°C drop if you use some super high static pressure fans like the Ultra Kazes Dark2099 suggested. Of course you have to put up with the higher fan noise also, but that is the price we pay for lower temps.

 

[DrunkenMafia]

You could try modding your existing system with a bigger radiator. Its not guaranteed to help but a bigger rad means the fluid has more time to cool before being sent back in. Not sure on the coolit system but I am sure it uses a std hose size.

I like modding shit so its always my first suggestion.

 

[Anarchy0110]

Using that cooler on a high overclock i7 930
CoolIT Eco is not really made for overclocking you know
Probably H70 will help you out

 

[dark2099]

I had one, the unit is pretty much one whole piece, comes prefiled and not meant to be taken apart.

 

[@RaXxaa@]

i personall would remove the rad and buy a bigger rad and fans to the eco just be sure the pipe fits and some ghetto touches and good as new?

 

[error_f0rce]

Thanks for the replies! I switched out the fan last night with an average 1300RPM 120mm fan pushing 44cfm and tossed the stock fan on the other side to give the "push/pull" method a shot (1300rpm pulling/stock fan pushing). My temps only dropped like 3-4C.... I was very disapointed, especially after reading a review about how adding a "real" fan could drop like 15C. To be honest the 1300rpm fan is just a RocketFish from BestBuy (first thing I could get my hands on).

How much are you thinking the high static pressure fans would help here? Am messing things up by having a low RPM fan pushing? Should I just put 1 fan pulling?

My Prime95 temps are peaking in the low 70's @ 3.5GHz... I really need to get these temps down.

 

[kid41212003]

If I were you I would lower the clock to 3.8GHz or 4GHz and save the money for something else.

3.8GHz to 4.4GHz pretty much give you ~2FPS in games? lol

I'm running mine @ stock btw.

 

[error_f0rce]

Here's the fans I'm looking at (thanks Dark!):

Scythe Ultra Kaze

DFS123812L-1000 1,000 rpm 19.81dBA 44.44CFM DC12V 0.25 A
DFS123812L-2000 2,000 rpm 32.91dBA 87.63CFM DC12V 0.25 A
DFS123812H-3000 3,000 rpm 45.90dBA 133.60CFM DC12V 0.60 A



Scythe Slipstream

SY1225SL12SL 500 rpm 7.50 dBA 24.50CFM DC12V 0.07 A
SY1225SL12L 800 rpm 10.70 dBA 40.17CFM DC12V 0.10 A
SY1225SL12M 1,200 rpm 24.00 dBA 68.54CFM DC12V 0.26 A
SY1225SL12H 1,600 rpm 33.00 dBA 88.11CFM DC12V 0.41 A
SY1225SL12SH 1,900 rpm 37.00 dBA 110.31CFM DC12V 0.53 A


So I'm thinking about going with the slipstream because it looks like I'm getting more CFM for my dBA. Is there something I'm not seeing here? Does the static pressure vary greatly between these 2 models?

 

[newtekie1]

If it was me, I'd go with the Ultra Kaze 3000, you can always dial it back some if it is too loud, but it is nice to have the option to run it full blast for those turbo boost moments.

 

[error_f0rce]

If it was me, I'd go with the Ultra Kaze 3000, you can always dial it back some if it is too loud, but it is nice to have the option to run it full blast for those turbo boost moments.

What do you use to reduce the speed? I've seen some in-line controls with knobs, a couple in-line resistors that reduce voltage or something, and software controls. What's the easiest way to control fan speed with these barebones fans (i.e. they don't come with extra hardware in the package)?

 

[newtekie1]

The easiest way is via the motherboard BIOS, that is what I use. You can also do the 7v or even 5v fan mod to get it to permanantely run slower(until you undo the mod).

Details on the mods can be found here: http://techpowerup.com/articles/other/137

 

[error_f0rce]

Looks like I can turn on and off my smart fan control, but no manual rpm adjustment or anything. I tried using EasyTune6, but that's not working..... anyone with a Gigabyte board know how to do this?

 

[kyle2020]

If I were you I would lower the clock to 3.8GHz or 4GHz and save the money for something else.

3.8GHz to 4.4GHz pretty much give you ~2FPS in games? lol

I'm running mine @ stock btw.

^ this.

 

[overclocking101]

get the scythe ultra kaze 3krpm fans, 2 of them that suxcker will run so cool you wont believe its the same cooler. trust me it will be worth thr $12/$15 per fan

 

[error_f0rce]

THANK YOU for all the input and posts!

OK, I placed an order for x4 Scythe ULTRA-KAZE 120mm 3000rpm fans, x1 Scythe Slipstream KAZE Maru2 140mm 1200rpm with a Scythe Master controller. Putting 2 on the radiator (push-pull) and 2 for case intake, 140mm blowhole out, just to be sure ambient temps aren't an issue either.

I'll post the temp differences in a few days, hopefully this works!