Pentium M: System Component Recommendations

doodddoo · Post by **doodddoo** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 10:45 am

I currently have the following components:

AOpen i855GMEm-LFS (Japanese Edition supporting 533FSB)

2 x 512MB Corsair XMS3200C2PT
nVidia GeForce 6800GT (with Arctic Cooling NV5)
80GB Fujitsu MHT2080AH 2.5" HDD

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I am having dilemmas as to what to get for CPU, Heatsink and PSU
Possible candidates at the moment:

Pentium-M 740 1.73GHz (533FSB)
Scythe SCNJ-1000 Ninja

Seasonic S12-430 SS-430HB
Antec Phantom 350

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At the moment, I'm having major concerns about the heatsink in particular. I heard the torque and weight of the Scythe would crush the core of the Pentium M. I would really like to have a passive heatsink.

If going passive on the CPU, I may opt for the Seasonic PSU to have some airflow at least around the CPU heatsink. I don't know if a passive PSU like the Antec Phantom would do any good to cooling the CPU considering my case only has a small 80mm exhaust.

Here's a link to what my case looks like inside,

Coolermaster ATC-210 Aluminum Case:
http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content ... 210&page=3

Ultimately, I'm trying to get the most silent set up rather than performance. First priority is silence! This is going to replace my current AthlonXP-M set up in the same case. Please advise, suggest what I should do or recommend what other components I should consider.

Thanks for your time!

Woland · Post by **Woland** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:11 pm

The Scythe Ninja is waaaaay more heatsink than you need to passively cool a Pentium M. The airflow from the PSU should be more than enough even with a much smaller heatsink.

len509 · Post by **len509** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 2:27 pm

The Ninja's torque and weight is much better than most other tower heatsinks. It's installation is rather simple and you would only crack the core if you use install it with excessive force. Check out the SPCR review.

If you want to keep your case, get a Seasonic. The fan in it shouldn't speed up too much. Especially a Pentium Mobile with a Ninja.

If you get a Phantom, that case would not be good for airflow with no good intake and its 80mm exhaust . I suspect system temps and the phantom would run pretty hot.

doodddoo · Post by **doodddoo** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 6:36 pm

Thanks! I'll go for the Seasonic PSU due to the lack of an intake fan in my case and airflow around CPU. Is the 430 Watt version too much or shall I settle with a lower rating?

How about the heatsink? I have two conflicting information... better to go for a lightweight heatsink? Is the Scythe really too overkill? I'm still quite wary about cracking the core. I don't transport my computer so much. I'm really wanting to go passive for CPU, maybe with the HS having the option to mount a fan just incase. I'm trying to limit the use of fans as much as possible. I think I may need airflow around northbridge and some airflow around the case, Seasonic PSU capable to evacuate all the hot air by itself?

Thanks again.

Tibors · Post by **Tibors** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 1:38 am

doodddoo wrote:Is the 430 Watt version too much or shall I settle with a lower rating?

Save yourself some money and go for a Seasonic S12 330 (only £35.24 @ scan.co.uk). That should be plenty of power for a Pentium-M and one graphics card.