I can't update the original thread, but here's the additon to the article =)...
*****************Part VII - "Cooling me softly"*****************Introduction:As processors get more powerful, they require more current. And with more current, comes heat as by product. With overclocking, then so much more!!! With the on going situation, more and more solutions are being offered in the market to help combat this problem. Watercooling becomes a little bit mainstream, this used to be considered "extereme" just about a couple of years ago. The more $$$ happy usually gets phase change solution. However, for those $$$ challenged like me, Air cooling is still the staple cooling solution, and even "it" have evolved so much, they come in different flavors and sizes, and in which this article will put focus on.
I. Intel Pentium 4 Retail Box Stock Cooling:
Intel, being known for its high performance processor, ensures that their retail box solution will never need any fire extiguinsher when run in accordance to the thermal specifications of their retail CPU. Many OCers have shown succesful OC just using the stock cooler. Of course, the OCs are not that "spectacular" when compared to better cooling solution, but nonetheless, as long as you don't tweak the voltage, have ample airflow within your chassis, chances are you're better off with the stock cooler. On average (in my experience), 10% OC is achievable with the stock cooler.
II. Moving in to aftermarket solution:
While I don't recommend this since your stock cooler will do just fine, if you would like to push your OC with a twist or if you got your CPU from a friend or just bought an OEM one, then this is the time you will need an aftermarket solution. There are many solutions currently available, usually, can be categorized by the following:
(*) Silent - These are coolers that have really low dBa rating. Though oftentimes, they perform equally with the stock cooler, with the advantage of being more quiet.
(*) Mod effects aka Bling Bling factors - Well, what more to say. Lights, colors, and physical design. Some are like rockets, some looks like plane engine, and so much more.
(*) Lightweight - These coolers offer lightweight load on your motherboard.
(*) Insanity Alert aka Extreme Air Cooling - Arggghhhh......
III. What to choose, what do I need to get:
It's really up to you to decide. Do you want light OC without denting your wallet? Then stick with the stock cooler. Do you like silent computing, then get one that fits your eardrums. But as far as air cooling is concerned, I haven't seen any extereme aircooling that is silent =).
IV. Copper or Alluminum:
It boils down to C/W actually. The lower the C/W, the better, always get the lowest C/W-rated cooler that you can afford, whether it's copper or alluminum.
Disclaimer:I found these formula from the web and I really forgot where the links were. I could also have these gathered thru various communications, emails, chats with some OCers for which I don't have any records of anymore since time immemorial =). Hence, the formula given below is not mine, and may not be accurate anymore.V. How to compute CPU temperature using C/W:
Ok, if you don't like to read another computation, just pretend you didn't see it here =)...
Formula:CPU Temperature © = ( (Thermal Resistance[C/W]) * (Thermal Guide[watts]) ) + Ambient Temperature[C]
Example:Intel Pentium 4 2.8E: (
http://processorfinder.intel.com/scripts/d...=ALL&CorSpd=ALL)
Coolermaster Jet 4: (
http://www.coolermaster.com/index.php?LT=e...=ICB-V83JET%204)
From the above information:C/W = 0.35 C/W
Thermal Guide = 89w
Ambient = 28c
Then:CPU Temperature © = (0.35 C/W x 89w) + 28c
CPU Temperature © = (31.15c) + 28c (please note, w or
wattage is cancelled out, so only the c or
temperature is the unit of measure)
CPU Temperature © = 59.15c
***DM pause for a while, and says "Ahh, that's why my Prescott is such a hottie"***VI. How do I know my CPU Load wattage when Overclocked:
Ahhh......another computation then...
Formula:Overclocked Watts = Default Watts * (Overclocked Mhz Default Mhz) * (Overclocked Vcore Default Vcore)²
Example: (using the same data as above)
Default Watts = 89w
Default Mhz = 2800Mhz
Default Vcore = 1.25v
Overclocked Mhz = 3500Mhz
Overclocked Vcore = 1.3v
Then:Overclocked Watts = 89w * (3500Mhz 2800Mhz) * (1.3v 1.25v)²
Overclocked Watts = 89w * 1.25 * (1.04)² (please note, the unit of measures are cancelled out for both Mhz and voltage)
Overclocked Watts = 89w * 1.25 * 1.0816
Overclocked Watts = 89w * 1.352
Overclocked Watts = 120.328w
***DM pauses even longer this time and says "Dang, I'm UBER"***VII. So, what is going to be the resulting temperature for an OCed CPU?
Are you nuts? Use the computation in Part V. In any case, let's simulate it again:
From the above information:C/W = 0.35 C/W
Thermal Guide = 120.328w
Ambient = 28c
Then:CPU Temperature © = (0.35 C/W x 120.328w) + 28c
CPU Temperature © = (42.1148) + 28c (please note, w or
wattage is cancelled out, so only the c or
temperature is the unit of measure)
CPU Temperature © = 70.1148c
***DM pauses even longer this time and says "Dang, I'm so HOT"***Do note that these aren't as accurate as I wish and hope them to be. I have read some articles about using only 90% of the computed wattage for the overclocking results. But I prefer to prepare myself for the worst so I used the full values derived from the computaton.
DM's Note: Actually, I could have added this Part VII to Part VI as an extension. But hey, I like the number seven (7)!!!!