I just upgraded my AMD 3500+ CPU to a 4600+. My question is this: Which heatsink should I use?

I've been using my Thermaltake Volcano 12 on my 3500+. It does it's job well, but it's a little noisy. Should I keep using this heatsink or should I use the stock heatsink that came with the 4600+? The stock heatsink for the 4600+ is a lot nicer than the stock heatsink that came with my 3500+. It has heat pipes and is larger and heavier. I'd like to use the heatsink that is going to give me the best cooling for the least amount of noise. I'm planning on doing some mild overclocking, but nothing too major. The thermaltake heatsink I'm currently using with my 3500+ gives me ~45C temps under load at 50% fan speed with a 10% overclock and ambient case temps around 30C. Does anyone know if the stock 4600+ heatsink will match these numbers?

I know I could just try both and experiment, but I have a limited amount of thermal paste and I can't be switching out heatsinks 4 time a day. At 100% fan speed, the Thermaltake heatsink sounds like a jet engine and is easily the loundest thing in my apartment. I can hear it downstairs with it's at 100% speed.

I should also mention that I'm not too interested in purchasing a different heatsink. If I was going to go that route, I already know what I would buy. I'm just looking to make the best of what I have.

Thermaltake Volcano 12: http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/coolers/volcano/rs/a1745.htm

8/3/2006 1:47:19 PM

stock

8/3/2006 1:51:14 PM

^ Any details as to why? I don't have any numbers or experence with the X2 stock heatsinks.

8/3/2006 1:53:48 PM

i like zalmans... pretty cool and quiet, but there might be better stuff now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118223

8/3/2006 2:32:19 PM

I like Zalmans too, but I don't have one. Thanks for reading the whole post. If I was getting a new HSF, that's what I would get.

8/3/2006 3:06:18 PM

the stock ones are supposed to be pretty good.... so i hear

8/3/2006 3:07:36 PM

I linked the wrong HSF. It's the Thermaltake Venus 12, not the Volcano 12.

http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/coolers/venus/rs/a1744.htm

8/3/2006 3:29:41 PM

I'm oc'ing ~20% on a stock amd and its quiet, I see no reason to spend more

8/3/2006 9:21:29 PM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118223

I have this zalman right now and I love it. It's worth every penny. Just make sure to dust it regularly. I noticed about a 2-3 deg up when it gets dusty.

8/3/2006 9:33:27 PM

definatly go with the stock hsf. it cools about the same as as a 40$ xp90 hsf . i'm using the stock heatpipe hsf on my opteron 144 oced to 3ghz and my temps are 39/ 47 idle/load. awesome hsf

8/3/2006 9:47:53 PM

i'm actually in the same boat, though i have a zalman 7000B and i've used it on both 3000+ and 3800+ and idle temps were ~38-40'C, now i have a 4600+ and my temps jumped 5-8'C, considering trying out the stock HSF instead of the zalman, i figure the 9500 is needed for the dual cores

8/3/2006 10:36:44 PM

damn, does that thing have 2 fans?

8/4/2006 9:11:27 AM

I installed the 4600+ last night. It's faster, but it's not cooler. I used the stock HSF. The temps are 48C idle / 68C under load. This is significantly warmer than what I'm used to with my 3500+. The temps with the 3500+ and the Venus 12 HSF were 41C/48C. Anyone else have a 4600+ or a 4800+ that can share their HSF and temps?

8/4/2006 9:57:27 AM

I'm going to re-seat the 4600+ and use some artic silver. The temps are way too hot. My system was running stable however, so I'm also going to flash my BIOS to see if a new version will report different temperatures.

8/4/2006 3:48:07 PM

yea i would def reseat the hsf w. some as those temps are super high.

8/4/2006 7:38:11 PM

i have a 4600+ w/ Zalman 7000B & Arctic Silver 5

my temps are:
44-46'C idle
56-58'C load

add 6'C for when fan is on lowest setting

i may upgrade to 7700 or the 9500, zalman's are the best imho

[Edited on August 5, 2006 at 12:15 AM. Reason : fan on low]

8/5/2006 12:07:47 AM

I found my problem with the high temps. It turns out the BIOS was rmembering the voltage output for the old CPU. I set the CPU voltage to auto and the CPU voltage dropped from ~1.5v to 1.3V and the temps dropped by almost 15C. I reseated the HSF anyway with some arctic silver for better performance. I'm now running my 4600+ at 2640MHz with very cool temps and rock steady stability. I'm still using the stock HSF.

8/8/2006 1:32:01 PM

nicely done

8/8/2006 2:31:53 PM