Dell Precision T3500 chipset overheating

[Papipone]

I recently purchased a used Precision T3500 Workstation. Here is a picture of the motherboard:

https://www.garlandcomputers.com/wp-content/uploads/imported/DELL-9KPNV-MOTHER-BOARD-For-Precision-T3500-Workstation-291420866390-4.jpg

The chipset, which is located near the RAM slots (under the aluminium heatsink with the Z-bracket), seems to work at really hot temperatures (I cannot touch the heatsink). Sometimes, the computer shuts down and the BIOS logs indicates CPU/chipset overheating (CPU is running at 40°C~50°C). I would like to replace the chipset heatsink by a better one.

Does someone know which thermal compound has been applied to this chip? It is quiet hard to remove and I do not want to damage the board..

An other solution would be to mount a fan on the existing heatsink. I think it is a 64mmx64mmx20mm (approx.) heatsink. However, I need to find a fan with brackets designed to be mounted on top of the heatsink which is not common.

Does anyone have a solution? Thanks for your answers

 

[The Paladin]

are you speaking of the item shown in the circle below ? if so I believe that "chipset" as you call it, is in fact your onboard GPU.
you could try to pop that heatsink off , and reapply some heatsink paste. easiest done.

Another idea regarding your fan idea, go to an electronic store find a small 65mm fan and you can probably find a screw to mount it in between the fins and pull air out from heatsink. not sure that is really required, is wasn't designed with a fan in mind.
something like this could be used (fan not heatsink) https://www.ebay.ie/itm/60x65mm-Socket-A-CPU-Cooler-Fan-with-Heatsink-for-AMD-Duron-or-Athlon/222788426580?hash=item33df399b54:g:lX4AAOSwu6taU-vJ

 

[Papipone]

are you speaking of the item shown in the circle below ? if so I believe that "chipset" as you call it, is in fact your onboard GPU.
you could try to pop that heatsink off , and reapply some heatsink paste. easiest done.

Another idea regarding your fan idea, go to an electronic store find a small 65mm fan and you can probably find a screw to mount it in between the fins and pull air out from heatsink. not sure that is really required, is wasn't designed with a fan in mind.
something like this could be used (fan not heatsink) https://www.ebay.ie/itm/60x65mm-Socket-A-CPU-Cooler-Fan-with-Heatsink-for-AMD-Duron-or-Athlon/222788426580?hash=item33df399b54:g:lX4AAOSwu6taU-vJ

Indeed, it is this heatsink. It is not the GPU, it is the Northbridge. The board does not feature an on board GPU.
I will try to mount a fan on it and see if it works.

Thanks for your answer.

 

[Bungle11]

are you speaking of the item shown in the circle below ? if so I believe that "chipset" as you call it, is in fact your onboard GPU.
you could try to pop that heatsink off , and reapply some heatsink paste. easiest done.

Another idea regarding your fan idea, go to an electronic store find a small 65mm fan and you can probably find a screw to mount it in between the fins and pull air out from heatsink. not sure that is really required, is wasn't designed with a fan in mind.
something like this could be used (fan not heatsink) https://www.ebay.ie/itm/60x65mm-Socket-A-CPU-Cooler-Fan-with-Heatsink-for-AMD-Duron-or-Athlon/222788426580?hash=item33df399b54:g:lX4AAOSwu6taU-vJ

Indeed, it is this heatsink. It is not the GPU, it is the Northbridge. The board does not feature an on board GPU.
I will try to mount a fan on it and see if it works.

Thanks for your answer.

I would change the thermal paste 1st, if its cheaper than a fan. reapplying the paste tends to work

 

[Papipone]

are you speaking of the item shown in the circle below ? if so I believe that "chipset" as you call it, is in fact your onboard GPU.
you could try to pop that heatsink off , and reapply some heatsink paste. easiest done.

Another idea regarding your fan idea, go to an electronic store find a small 65mm fan and you can probably find a screw to mount it in between the fins and pull air out from heatsink. not sure that is really required, is wasn't designed with a fan in mind.
something like this could be used (fan not heatsink) https://www.ebay.ie/itm/60x65mm-Socket-A-CPU-Cooler-Fan-with-Heatsink-for-AMD-Duron-or-Athlon/222788426580?hash=item33df399b54:g:lX4AAOSwu6taU-vJ

Indeed, it is this heatsink. It is not the GPU, it is the Northbridge. The board does not feature an on board GPU.
I will try to mount a fan on it and see if it works.

Thanks for your answer.

I would change the thermal paste 1st, if its cheaper than a fan. reapplying the paste tends to work

Me too, but it seems that they used some kind of thermal adhesive or worst ceramic. I cannot remove the heatsink it is stuck.

 

[Bungle11]

are you speaking of the item shown in the circle below ? if so I believe that "chipset" as you call it, is in fact your onboard GPU.
you could try to pop that heatsink off , and reapply some heatsink paste. easiest done.

Another idea regarding your fan idea, go to an electronic store find a small 65mm fan and you can probably find a screw to mount it in between the fins and pull air out from heatsink. not sure that is really required, is wasn't designed with a fan in mind.
something like this could be used (fan not heatsink) https://www.ebay.ie/itm/60x65mm-Socket-A-CPU-Cooler-Fan-with-Heatsink-for-AMD-Duron-or-Athlon/222788426580?hash=item33df399b54:g:lX4AAOSwu6taU-vJ

Indeed, it is this heatsink. It is not the GPU, it is the Northbridge. The board does not feature an on board GPU.
I will try to mount a fan on it and see if it works.

Thanks for your answer.

I would change the thermal paste 1st, if its cheaper than a fan. reapplying the paste tends to work

Me too, but it seems that they used some kind of thermal adhesive or worst ceramic. I cannot remove the heatsink it is stuck.

try heating the heatsink with a blow dryer. Heat might actually help get it off

 

[The Paladin]

if it is that stuck on, do not pull upwards on it what ever you do... if anything you can move it in a circle motion left and right (like a watch) until it breaks free.

 

[Susquehannock]

These T3500 are known for the chipset sink getting hot. At least with it feeling hot to the touch you know the sink is doing something. Very likely the paste is old and dried out and could greatly benefit from an upgrade.

Here is an image so you know what to expect under there.
>> https://imgur.com/a/jcfoB

That one had what appears to be standard silicone paste. Once the z-bar is unhooked at one end the sink should twist off fairly easily. Unless it has an adhesive thermal pad applied instead. Have only seen a couple like that and it can be intimidating trying to pry it off.

 

[Susquehannock]

Forgot to add one thing. Be sure your system has the blue plastic RAM shroud. Often missing.

Not only does it help cool the RAM, it directs airflow from the top front fan directly to the chipset heatsink.