- Joined
- Jul 18, 2007
- Messages
- 812 (0.13/day)
- Location
- Almonte, Canada
System Name | Sonny Boy |
---|---|
Processor | i5 11600K 4.9GHz @ 1.35 Vcore |
Motherboard | AORUS Z590 Elite AX |
Cooling | Deepcool Gammix 240mm AIO |
Memory | 4 X 8GB Teamgroup DDR4 3200MHz |
Video Card(s) | ASUS RTX 3060 Ti GDDR6X |
Storage | Adata Legend 1TB |
Display(s) | Philips 27" 4K |
Power Supply | Corsair 750W |
Mouse | Razer Basilisk |
Keyboard | Razer Huntsman V2 |
Software | Windows 11 Pro |
I have an ASUS P5K-E motherboard that I recently added watercooling to the Northbridge (P35). Because of ASUS' use of heatpipes when removing the heatsink from the NB I am also, by default removing the radiator over 8 power FETs. This radiator serves a dual role, taking heat from the NB and placing it in the airflow from the CPU heatsink fan, as well as being attached by a thermal pad to the power FETs. I believe that the NB cooling is the major purpose of this radiator evidenced by the fact that, on this board anyways, they do not even bother cooling the FETs located at the top of the board (even though there is provision for heatsink attachment).
So my theory is that this radiator is not actually that important for the FETs. If I take an IR thermometer I am only reading temps of these devices in the mid 40's C with the CPU running Prime 95. Most FETs are rated for Tj in the range of 150C + so I am thinking they are fine as is.
See attached pic as reference. The FETs circled in yellow have no heatsink installed from the factory. The area circled in green has now exposed the 8 FETs when I removed the heatsink.
I could consider gluing on heatsinks to the FETs but now I am thinking I won't bother. If I ever have to sell the board I will want to restore it to factory heatsink anyways.
The board seems to be overclocking fine as is. Any thoughts?
So my theory is that this radiator is not actually that important for the FETs. If I take an IR thermometer I am only reading temps of these devices in the mid 40's C with the CPU running Prime 95. Most FETs are rated for Tj in the range of 150C + so I am thinking they are fine as is.
See attached pic as reference. The FETs circled in yellow have no heatsink installed from the factory. The area circled in green has now exposed the 8 FETs when I removed the heatsink.
I could consider gluing on heatsinks to the FETs but now I am thinking I won't bother. If I ever have to sell the board I will want to restore it to factory heatsink anyways.
The board seems to be overclocking fine as is. Any thoughts?