Need advice for P4 Northwood system

OmegaZero · Post by **OmegaZero** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 8:34 am

I am hoping to solicit some advice on reworking my system; it's a little too loud and a little too warm. The machine is being used to run a recording studio, so it needs to be powerful but not so loud that it gets picked up in the recordings. Currently the CPU hits 68C after running Prime95 for 20 minutes; it does not rise from there. The test then proceeds to crash after about 3 hours, which I believe is due to the CPU core voltage dropping too low as it is being throttled. I know that the Wave Master case I have now is less than ideal, so that has to go. The Zalman CNPS7000B-Cu installed now is just a bit too loud, so it will be replaced with an XP-120 in the new setup. Also I believe I will be replacing the PSU to increase stability and airflow.

Here are the components I am thinking of keeping...

Pentium 4 Northwood 3.2GHz
Thermalright XP-120 w/ Nexus 120mm
1GB Crucial Ballistix PC4000 DDR500 (x2)
MSI Neo2-FIS2R 6728-030 865PE (see next line)
Zalman ZM-NB47J
MSI GeForce4 G4MX4000-T128
M-Audio Audiophile 4in/4out 24-bit 192kHz
Western Digital Raptor 10k RPM 74GB 8MB (see next line)
GUP SmartDrive 2002 Copper
Plextor PX-712SA
E-A-R F-344 ISODAMP Fan Mounts
Arctic Silver 5

1.)I have pretty much decided on an Antec SLK3000b (in which I will use Nexus 120mm fans), but am open to suggestions. Will the XP-120 work with this case? My MSI mobo has the CPU socket right at the top, so I am hoping it will fit. Have people had good luck with this case?

2.)The Zalman ZM400B-APS power supply I am currently using does not seem to be providing the airflow I need, as there is an obvious "hot spot" directly under the PSU. I am considering either an Enermax EG375AX-VE or a Seasonic S12-380. I know that SPCR recommends the Seasonic above the Enermax, but I am wondering if the added airflow would be beneficial / necessary. Does anyone have experience with either of these units? Do I really need a new PSU?

3.) I'd love to get some general ideas and advice. Anything that you guys can offer would be great.

Tech · Post by **Tech** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 8:47 am

This is from Thermalright's XP-120 compatibilty list:

MSI 865PE Neo2-PFISR *caps mechanically obstruct pipe slightly, cap tilting necessary

OmegaZero · Post by **OmegaZero** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 8:53 am

I saw that. I have fitted the XP-120 to the board and had no real difficualties... I am more worried about getting it into the case (which I haven't ordered yet).

Tech · Post by **Tech** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 9:04 am

I just mock placed my XP-120 in my 3700AMB and it shouldn't be a problem for you. The heatpipes are towards the RAM when it's mounted, right?

OmegaZero · Post by **OmegaZero** » Wed Mar 16, 2005 9:06 am

Yup. Just wondering about the overhang...

Thanks for the info - makes me lean even further towards the 3000b.

OmegaZero · Post by **OmegaZero** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 12:58 pm

Still hoping for some opinions on the PSU for my new system...

The Zalman ZM400B-APS power supply I am currently using does not seem to be providing the airflow I need, as there is an obvious "hot spot" directly under the PSU. I am hoping that the 120mm exhaust and TAC duct on my new case will help with this...

I am considering either an Enermax EG425P-VE SFMA or a Seasonic S12-380 if I replace the Zalman unit. I know that SPCR recommends Seasonic above Enermax overall, but I am wondering if the added airflow would be beneficial / necessary. For that matter, I am wondering if the 80mm + 92mm in the Enermax will really be much more airflow than the 120mm in the S12. Does anyone have experience with either of these units? Do I really need a new PSU? Should I get the S12-430 instead of the S12-380 since it reviewed so well here?

[Edit: Had posted an incorrect Enermax model number]