Hello, I have a couple of questions about my CPU cooling.... I recently bought a Zalman CNPS9700 CPU fan, and an Antec 1200 case for my system for the purpose of OC'ing my Q6600 CPU.
I have done everything in my power to ensure that the airflow is maximized, got all the cables tucked in, the only things that I'm missing are the side panel and internal 120mm fans which I plan on purchasing soon. I'm also using the basic Zalman thermal grease that came with my 9700 fan, however, I do have a tube of the Antec Formula 5 Silver Thermal Compound (The local Frys didn't have any AC5 at the time).
However, I've been noticing that while my core temps have dropped nicely from the previous case / cooler, it's still not as cool as I expected it to be. When Idle, with all the fans on low speed, the core temperatures are 38-40 degrees as recorded by Core Temp and CPUID Hardware Monitor.
When I ran the Prime95 stress test, in place large FFTs, the temps jumped as high as 65, but mostly stayed around 62 degrees with the fans on low, and only as low as 60 with all the fans on high.
Shouldn't my temperatures be much lower than that especially since I'm running at stock speeds? If so, what should I try next to reduce them even more? I do plan on lapping the CPU / HS eventually, but for now I'm just looking to minimize the temps with what i have.
Also, the Antec Formula 5 compound is a LOT thicker and harder to apply than the Zalman grease, any tips / tricks I should know about when i do install that? I'm a bit nervous when it comes to the grease because i don't want to add too much, but i also want to make sure i add enough for the CPU to stay cool
Thanks a bunch for the help.
EDIT: Forgot to add my motherboard info: ASUS P5K-E WiFi
I have done everything in my power to ensure that the airflow is maximized, got all the cables tucked in, the only things that I'm missing are the side panel and internal 120mm fans which I plan on purchasing soon. I'm also using the basic Zalman thermal grease that came with my 9700 fan, however, I do have a tube of the Antec Formula 5 Silver Thermal Compound (The local Frys didn't have any AC5 at the time).
However, I've been noticing that while my core temps have dropped nicely from the previous case / cooler, it's still not as cool as I expected it to be. When Idle, with all the fans on low speed, the core temperatures are 38-40 degrees as recorded by Core Temp and CPUID Hardware Monitor.
When I ran the Prime95 stress test, in place large FFTs, the temps jumped as high as 65, but mostly stayed around 62 degrees with the fans on low, and only as low as 60 with all the fans on high.
Shouldn't my temperatures be much lower than that especially since I'm running at stock speeds? If so, what should I try next to reduce them even more? I do plan on lapping the CPU / HS eventually, but for now I'm just looking to minimize the temps with what i have.
Also, the Antec Formula 5 compound is a LOT thicker and harder to apply than the Zalman grease, any tips / tricks I should know about when i do install that? I'm a bit nervous when it comes to the grease because i don't want to add too much, but i also want to make sure i add enough for the CPU to stay cool
Thanks a bunch for the help.
EDIT: Forgot to add my motherboard info: ASUS P5K-E WiFi