Northbridge cooling - who uses it?

bgiddins · Post by **bgiddins** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 5:56 am

How many people here have upgraded their northbridge cooling for integrated graphics motherboards? I have a Asus P5Q-VM, and even just Gnome desktop results in very warm to hot temps on the little blue OEM heatsink. I'm considering replacing it with something like the Thermalright HR-05 or Xigmatek CN881, but am waiting to decide on a new CPU cooler - the close proximity of the CPU and NB will make it a tight fit so I need to pick a compatible combination.

nutball · Post by **nutball** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 6:07 am

I don't see why anyone would use aftermarket NB cooling unless they're overclocking in some way. Folks are way too sensitive about things being hot to the touch I think.

frenchie · Post by **frenchie** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 7:23 am

So I guess I'm one of the few... (or maybe I'm just weird

)
I use the noctua heatsink on my Asus P5N-E SLI motherboard.
The standard heatsink was hot (almost burn-your-finger hot) and after I replaced the standard Intel CPU blowdown heatsink with a Minja, I was affraid is was going to get even hotter. So I replaced it with this little tower style heatsink, which fits better in my airflow pattern.

zoatebix · Post by **zoatebix** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:44 am

nutball wrote:I don't see why anyone would use aftermarket NB cooling unless they're overclocking in some way.

I can think of one: a very loud 40mm fan on the stock heatsink. It hasn't been too long since those disappeared.

Firetech · Post by **Firetech** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 1:21 pm

nForce4Ultra 40mm NB fan replaced with HR05-SLI - much better.
Given most modern MBs are now passive, it's less of an issue I suspect.

walle · Post by **walle** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 1:38 pm

Thermalright coolers across the entire board, including CPU and VGA.

SebRad · Post by **SebRad** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:25 am

I'm using a Thermalright HR-05 on an Asus P5B-E Plus Northbridge. I also have a Zalman NB47J on the Southbridge. I think I was nearly having problems with the Southbridge before, IDE / ATAPI errors etc in the event log.
My Dad's NF-M2 system had stability issues for about a year until I found they were due to small Southbridge heatsink with very poor amount of thermal paste. A significantly larger heatsink and good thermal paste application has removed the problem completely!
Seb

line · Post by **line** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:44 am

I upgraded the NB heatsink on Gigabyte's 690G ATX board.

pony-tail · Post by **pony-tail** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 1:29 am

I replaced the NB coolers in 2 Shuttle SB61G2 machines with Zalman passive ones but generally I only swap them out if they have fans or if they do not cool properly due to the lower airflow that I use compared to what they are designed for . I use either Zalman or Thermalright depending on which one suits the application . When using onboard graphics a NB cooler upgrade is sometimes a good idea in a low flow case - otherwise what comes with the board does .

Shamgar · Post by **Shamgar** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 1:58 am

Why do people use aftermarket chipset cooling? For various reasons:
1. Curious, obsessive people cannot refrain from touching everything in their computers including hot components like heatsinks. For these folks, a better cooler can prevent that burning scalding feeling.

2. Some people have a fear of heat (whether justified or not) and cooler temperatures results in a feeling of safety and calm. A form of insurance for their components' longevity and their own personal sanity.
3. Stock coolers are usually not that great. They may get the job done and keep within the 100-120 C thermal limits, but who wants to let it run that high?! A better cooler with better thermal compound will see an improvement in temperatures which will satisfy people in situations 1 & 2.
4. Aesthetic tastes. Some people want a "better looking" heatsink. They want something different. Something aftermarket to match/colour coordinate/juxtapose with the rest of their gear.
5. Some people have too much money to spend. They go all out on their systems.
6. Overclocking.

7. People want to test hardware out to see the difference for themselves.

I place myself in all categories except for 5 & 6.

aristide1 · Post by **aristide1** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 12:08 pm

I also have the Asus P5B-E. which has a standard NB heatsink. The center verticle fin has a "T" top. Initially I was going to replace it as it was too hot to hold even at stock speeds. Space became an issue, so I put 2 of these on top of the T portion. (not 2 packages just 2 from 1 package)

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swmcbgamera.html

Just 2 Swiftech copper jobs on top of the stock cooler lowered the temps by 5C and held it there even after OCing. They are heavy for their size since they are solid copper, not copper colored aluminum.

On another board the NIC chip was really hot, so I added one there.

The following are huge for SB heat sinks, and probably are larger than some NB heat sinks as well. And they are cheap too.

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/miso ... =miso.html

neumein · Post by **neumein** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 10:29 pm

I upgraded my NB cooler from stock (abit ip35 (non-pro)), to the thermalright Hr-05IFX. Now, keep in mind, I am an overclocker (Q6600 @ 4.0, 1.7v), but even with this monster setup, temps have still dropped ~7-10 deg C, and that is running passive!

Northbridge cooling - who uses it?

Do you use aftermarket northbridge cooling?

Northbridge cooling - who uses it?