Help with cooling and PSU.

S

Saxbytes

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Sep 10, 2004
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Good evenin' everyone:

I have a basic MSI microATX mobo (KM4M-V, Via KM400 chipset) with an AMD Athlon XP 2800. My power supply is going bad, my case temp averages 50C and processor temp averages 30C.

I'm not big into modding, but I've been told by others that the temp is too high and to get a good quality power supply. Can someone give me some suggestions on a good heatsink, a cooling fan that's not too noisy, and an affordable PSU that won't go bad or give me wild voltages?

I've been told a copper heatsink with pipes is best. I've been leaning toward this one.
http://www.coolerguys.com/840556018629.html

What do you think? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance! :)
 
i would honestly suggest an enermax, antec or fortron PSU, with at least 450 watt output and the best thermalright heatsink that you can afford, mated to as loud a panaflo fan as you are willing to tollerate.

however, none of that stuff is cheap.

i'm not suggesting a specific heatsink, because i don't know you budget. SI-97 or XP-90 would be my reccomended heatsinks, if you can swing them.

oh yes, and you temps sound distinctly "off" i hope that you have just reversed case and CPU temps by accident, because i hope that you realize how little sense what you have posted makes.
 
Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I got 'em switched. I was running out the door when I wrote the message; litterally on my PDA.

I've had some other Enermax suggestions, so I'll probably go with that. And I'll look at the heatsinks that you suggested.

Thanks again! :cool:
 
if you can get an eneramx for as much or less than the other two, then by all means go for it.

i am currently running enermax myself, and it works great, with nice voltages even under heavy load.

in the past i have used an antec, and it was equally nice, with better tollerance rating on the 3.3 rail than my current enermax.

i only switched because i need more output than my old supply was really rated for.

i have only heard good things about fortron supplies, however they are not domestically available around here, and i HATE paying import duties, so i have not used one myself.

all three are solid products, though.

between those three brands, and the same ouput ratings, go for the cheapest that you can find.
 
How often do you upgrade the basics (CPU, video, motherboard), and what sort of stuff do you use your PC for? If all you need is a basic system, the 350W Cooler Master in the Hot Deals forum may not be a bad investment. I trust the manufacturer (I have their 450W), and it's only about $20. It will probably even manage a GF6800, as long as you don't have a 100W Prescott in there too.
 
mavalpha said:
How often do you upgrade the basics (CPU, video, motherboard), and what sort of stuff do you use your PC for? If all you need is a basic system, the 350W Cooler Master in the Hot Deals forum may not be a bad investment. I trust the manufacturer (I have their 450W), and it's only about $20. It will probably even manage a GF6800, as long as you don't have a 100W Prescott in there too.
Click to expand...

I upgrade every 8-12 months on average; only after the newness has worn off and I've used it enough and get a craving for more.

I bought my package from Mwave.com. Basic Specs are:
MSI microATX mobo (KM4M-V, Via KM400 chipset)
AMD Athlon XP 2800 Barton
512MB of store-brand Mwave.com PC2700 memory
(2) 80GB/7200RPM/8MB Western Digital Drives
CDRW & DVDRW
Mwave Standard 350W PSU.
Standard Cooler Master Aluminum Heatsink & fan.

I'm replacing the PSU & Heatsink/Fan now. Then I'll replace the memory with something name-brand, like Kingston or Crucial. Then the motherboard later, then processor and so on. I usually upgrade in increments, but I swung for the whole PC this last time about 7 months ago.
 
DFI Daishi said:
SI-97 or XP-90 would be my reccomended heatsinks, if you can swing them.
Click to expand...
XP-90 doesn't work on Socket A. His best choice would be the SI-97.
 
SLK-800 is nice if you have the 4 mounting holes around the CPU socket. Can find one used for a good price im sure.

For PSU, i would say 400w min. Good brand though, Antec, Fotron, OCZ, Enermax etc etc.
 
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