Taming the Core i7 w/ Asetek 570LX 240 mm Radiator
To break the 4 GHz threshold, a slight modification was performed on the Asetek 570LX 240 mm radiator to help bring down temperatures on my particular CyberPowerPC Build. The system previous configuration consisted of dual 120 mm fans placed on the top of the radiator, in pull-exhaust configuration, which relies on a pressure differential to pull air through the heat exchanger – grill. However, the dual stock fans did not provide sufficient CFMs for overclocking beyond 4GHz. Therefore to further induce maximum air flow, the stock fans were replaced, and a push-pull configuration was adopted, by placing additional set of dual 120 mm fans on the front of radiator along with the ones on the rear. The temperature effect was most pronounced at 100% load, temperatures dropping by nearly 10 C, while idle temperatures seem largely unaffected. For those interested, in a similar push pull fan configuration w/ the Asetek570LX 240mm radiator, you’ll require 6-32 screws. For typical 120mm (35mm ~1” – thick fans) you’ll need 1 3/16” length screws, which isn’t a standard length. Get a 1 ¼” and dremel it down to your length. For those wanting to use the Scythe Ultra Kaze 3000 (38mm ~1.5”) you’ll need 1 11/16” length screws, but again find what you can get and Dremel them down.
Stock Dual 120mm Fans Replaced By Scythe Slipstream 110 CFM Fans
Scythe Ultra Kaze 3000 Fans Removed From Custom Northbridge and SLI Fan Fixture and Placed On Bottom Grill of 240mm Radiator
Push-Pull Configuration
Barely Enough Clearance
Before and After Temperatures (Drop by 10 C)
Having dropped maximum operating temperatures by roughly 10 C, I wanted to see how far I could take it down by reseating and replacing the TIM with Arctic Silver 5. The Asetek 570 LX comes with some type of thermal pad, what looks like some circular thermally conductive adhesive that cures with use, but I opted during the CP ordering process to use CoolMaster ThermalFusion 400 TIM. Below are some pictures that show what the interface looks like, and the CoolMaster viscosity is comparably lower compared to the Artic Silver 5. But the CP technicians did a proper job prepping the Asetek copper plate by applying a light coat first, but put just a tad bit too much on the processor.
Results show negligible difference, if at all any drop was present, or rise, it would be masked by the inherent error of +/- 1 to 2 C from either incorrect calibration of the sensors or by thermal cycling. Then again, Artic Silver 5, possesses a curing time of roughly 200 hours, so I’ll report back in a week if the temperatures do indeed drop significantly.
To break the 4 GHz threshold, a slight modification was performed on the Asetek 570LX 240 mm radiator to help bring down temperatures on my particular CyberPowerPC Build. The system previous configuration consisted of dual 120 mm fans placed on the top of the radiator, in pull-exhaust configuration, which relies on a pressure differential to pull air through the heat exchanger – grill. However, the dual stock fans did not provide sufficient CFMs for overclocking beyond 4GHz. Therefore to further induce maximum air flow, the stock fans were replaced, and a push-pull configuration was adopted, by placing additional set of dual 120 mm fans on the front of radiator along with the ones on the rear. The temperature effect was most pronounced at 100% load, temperatures dropping by nearly 10 C, while idle temperatures seem largely unaffected. For those interested, in a similar push pull fan configuration w/ the Asetek570LX 240mm radiator, you’ll require 6-32 screws. For typical 120mm (35mm ~1” – thick fans) you’ll need 1 3/16” length screws, which isn’t a standard length. Get a 1 ¼” and dremel it down to your length. For those wanting to use the Scythe Ultra Kaze 3000 (38mm ~1.5”) you’ll need 1 11/16” length screws, but again find what you can get and Dremel them down.
Stock Dual 120mm Fans Replaced By Scythe Slipstream 110 CFM Fans
Scythe Ultra Kaze 3000 Fans Removed From Custom Northbridge and SLI Fan Fixture and Placed On Bottom Grill of 240mm Radiator
Push-Pull Configuration
Barely Enough Clearance
Before and After Temperatures (Drop by 10 C)
Having dropped maximum operating temperatures by roughly 10 C, I wanted to see how far I could take it down by reseating and replacing the TIM with Arctic Silver 5. The Asetek 570 LX comes with some type of thermal pad, what looks like some circular thermally conductive adhesive that cures with use, but I opted during the CP ordering process to use CoolMaster ThermalFusion 400 TIM. Below are some pictures that show what the interface looks like, and the CoolMaster viscosity is comparably lower compared to the Artic Silver 5. But the CP technicians did a proper job prepping the Asetek copper plate by applying a light coat first, but put just a tad bit too much on the processor.
Results show negligible difference, if at all any drop was present, or rise, it would be masked by the inherent error of +/- 1 to 2 C from either incorrect calibration of the sensors or by thermal cycling. Then again, Artic Silver 5, possesses a curing time of roughly 200 hours, so I’ll report back in a week if the temperatures do indeed drop significantly.