AMD Athlon 64 x2 4600+ socket AM2...read on?

Question

I am thinking about water cooling my AMD Athlon 64 x2 4600+ s AM2.I want to know if it would be dumb of me to spend the money i was going to spend on WCing to get a 65w x2 4600+?I will NOT be overclocking.My temps on my x2 i have now idle at 47c and gaming the computer turns off.When i turn it back on and go into the BIOS the temp is 67c.So WCing or 65w cpu?

The computer is 7 days old and there isn't dust in the HSF.

I have it set so the fan runs on 100% all of the time and temps are still like that. It is the HSF that came with the CPU.

I have all of the windows drivers and software from AMD for the CPU.My air flow is fine i have a 120mm fan in the back one 120mm fan in the front 1 80mm fan on the side and the side of the case is a big vent.So the case side isn't sealed.the temp were the PC is in the room is about 67-74f. I am also using a X1950pro video card that is OCed using the Ice-Q3 GPU cooler.

I think i should have got an Intel i used Intel for 4 years and NEVER had any problem with overheating even when i was overclocking.I have had overheating with my AMD after the 2nd day when i started to stress it with games and benchmarks.

Front fan blows in side fan blows in back fan blows out PSU fans blow out.I have not overclocked my cpu and i have changed the thermal paste and it lowered the temps by 2c.

It is on my desk and it is wide open around the front sides and back.

Answer 1

I would say just get the WCing or a copper heat sink.If you get a new cpu get one that is faster than the one you are using now.You will void your warranty if you put a different heat sink on but you can't have it keep overheating.If you want WCing get it.You can do what you want.It is your money.I would get WCing because it will help keep your temps low when gaming.If you do use Wcing get some PC-ice or fluid-xp. I wouldn't run the GPU is you have a GPU higher than a nvidia 6600 or a x1300 on the WCing loop with the cpu unless you have a rad. between the 2 that would help cool it.You also need to make sure you have the room for the tubes.Don't get any thing smaller than 1/2in tubing any thing less wouldn't give you the flow you need to keep the cpu cool.I would stay away from Tt pumps they aren't vary good.If you want a good WCing kit that has every thing you need to cool your cpu go to newegg.com and look at the gigabyte 3d galaxy ii.It has some good reviews search for reviews on it on Google.You could also get buy with a good air cooler but most of the time the WCing will get your temps lower than air .Than if you want to over clock some day wcing would be best.You also need to make sure you have the room for the RAD... The WCing blocks are lighter than the big heat sinks so you won't have alot of the weight on the CPU die.You also need to leak test your wcing if that is what you go with also you need to make sure there is no air in the lines. After reading this you know now that WCing is harder to set up than air.You also need to make sure you have air flow in the case if you get wcing so you can keep the mobo and chipset cool if you don't water cool your chip set. I wouldn't get a 65w cpu just so it will keep cooler.You can burn-in your cpu and get the Vcore lower and lower the watts and that will make the temps go down. the links to every thing is below.I will link you to the guide to burn-in your cpu.I am not responsible for any damage.Any of the above that you chose to do at your own risk.I have burned in my CPU and my temps went down 5c.Wcing(watercooling)

Answer 2

Well I wouldn't go as extreme as water cooling, just invest in a decent heatsink/fan. In fact you might just check your current heatsink/fan, perhaps it is not attached properly, or is extremely dusty. Water cooling is simply too expensive in your situation, that is really only necessasry when overclocking. Also replacing the processor would also be a bit too expensive when there is most likely a much simpler solution. As for what the guy said about 67 not being too much, it wouldn't be, except for the fact that 67 is the temperature it is at once you have turned the computer back on, it has had some time to cool off by then, it was probably in the 80s to cause the computer to shut down.

Answer 3

Do you keep the computer out in the open or inside an enclosed area (inside a desk???) It needs to be out in the open.

I believe max temp for the 110W is 65c. Did you overclock it in the past and damage it?

Also make sure your case fans and power supply fans are not fighting each other (some should blow in some out to create a flow through the case not all blowing out).

I really don't like watercooling too much risk of swamping your machine. Also fans are more reliable than pumps and wc systems are heavy and cumbersome!!! Try a better fan... If all fails and you do end up getting a new cpu try www.gamegiants.net for it.

If you do change the thermal paste as mentioned above it is cheap at gamegiants.net only $3.49

http://www.gamegiants.net/product_info.php?products_id=251



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Answer 4

One of my PCs has that very same CPU & despite my "pushing the pedal to the metal" on a regular basis I've noticed no overheating issue whatsoever.

The normal temp for it is Max Temp. 55-72°C.
67C is cutting it pretty close & most likely it hit the Max for a few seconds before shutting it off.

I suspect the issue is bad airflow in your PC tower ... perhaps combined with using a non OEM fan on the CPU.
You probably assembled this PC yourself or upgraded ....

First, go to this AMD link & download these :
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_871_13118,00.html

AMD Dual-Core Optimizer
&
AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual Core Processor Driver for Windows XP

They will help ..especially with gaming. Then consider inspecting the heatsink on the CPU as well as the front & rear chasis fans.

regards,
Philip T

Answer 5

Your system may run slightly faster with a 64 bit os but, there are still some programs and, devices that will only work with a 32 bit os. I've been running XP 64 for some time now. The only problem I've really encountered is with my wireless adaptor.

Answer 6

Hmm sounds to me like the heatsink isn't properly seated...
All it takes is a tiny little gap to make the CPU get really HOT...
Also, More is Not Better when it comes to heatsink paste!!!
Use as little as possible (using your finger) so spread it evenly over the cpu's surface...Ceramique Arctic Silver is the best in my opinion for this...
http://www.arcticsilver.com/ins_route_step2amdcmq.html

Answer 7

yes it would definately be worth investing in a water cooling sys.
especially if your CPU temp rises to 67C.
its a good idea


also AMDs are way better (in the way of performance) than Intels. so dont get an intel processor.

Answer 8

you shouldnt have a problem at 67 degrees celsius. athlon won;t get to critical temperature until you hit 75. youre better to keep your machine free of dust, and make sure your fans are positioned properly. perhaps new thermal paste on the processor will help as well.

Answer 9

Just geta clip on Fan, and let it help cool it.

Answer 10

Be happy....Don't worry.