Active SB cooling

[BrainStorm]

OK guys, most all of us actively cool our NBs, but most everyone also only passively cools the SB. I started that way, too, as you can see in the following pic.

http://mysite.verizon.net/res02y6d/8rdaNB04.jpg

Well, I guess I just had too much time on my hands tonight, because I decided maybe it was time to rig up some active SB cooling. I had touch-tested my passive HS, and it gets pretty darn warm. I also recalled being impressed by its thermal output in those thermal images of the 8rda somebody posted on his website.

So I rigged up a stout 40mm fan I had lying around and I'm going to see if it helps any with FSB speeds, or with overall stability in general. I've noticed at 200 FSB, every once in awhile my sound screws up in UT (original version), and I still have a very occasional lockup in UT, even though 200 is rock solid for everything else.

Anyway, here's a few pics if anyone wants to take a look (includes a couple of comparison shots with a std 40mm fan).

http://mysite.verizon.net/res02y6d/sb_cooling01.jpg
http://mysite.verizon.net/res02y6d/sb_cooling02.jpg
http://mysite.verizon.net/res02y6d/sb_cooling03.jpg
http://mysite.verizon.net/res02y6d/sb_cooling04.jpg

I'd like to know what you guys think about actively cooling the SB and whether it's helped you with either top end FSB or just stability in general.

[Major]

A picture speaks a thousand words !

Did it help any or still to early to tell ? I'm using the SoundStorm on my A7N8X and just got through playing AAO, even with a good hs on the sb it got real hot after an hour of playing. So its probably a good Idea BrainStorm.

P.S. I couldn't handle waiting so I went ahead and orderd my 3rd NF7-S from excaliber PC, this time I'm going to follow your lead BrainStorm and stick a P3 hs on the NB instead of risking removal of my wb from my A7N8X. I would hate to kill the only board that has lasted this long ! (my lucky board)

[BrainStorm]

Hey, Major! Man, I should be racking up the zzz's, but I'm trying to extend the last little bit of my week off :lol:

It's too early to tell if it's gonna help or not, just put it on right before that post. But is seems like it can't hurt...and darn it if I just didn't have enough fans in my case :p

As for your Asus, yeah, it would be a pity to kill it off getting your WB off it. I think the PIII HSF is plenty good enough, but we'll see if/when I redo my vdd mod to go for 1.9v. :)

I was wondering if you could really wait another month for a new board...:D

[BrainStorm]

*bump* just because it's great to be BACK!!! :cool:

[BrainStorm]

Nobody's actively cooling their SB??? Or nobody has found any difference? So far, I can say it didn't made any difference in top end FSB speed for me. Jury is still out on overall stability, but it still just makes me feel better since it was so hot before.

[Jen]

i was thinking of cooling my southbridge the same way



Jen

[glock19owner]

I have been actively cooling the SB (passive old abit NB HS with a Tt 60x10mm flat fan) pretty much since I got the 8RDA+. I haven't noticed any difference in stability but it has helped cut down the sound problems using the OBS.

[BrainStorm]

Originally posted by glock19owner
I haven't noticed any difference in stability but it has helped cut down the sound problems using the OBS.

That's one other thing I'm interested in because I had been having an issue with the OBS every now and then.

[glock19owner]

The first couple of days I had the cracking in heavy gaming (no cooling at all). After adding the active cooling, I havent had the cracking at all. For me it seemed to of helped that issue.

Also, if you add a 60x15mm fan you will lose 1 or 2 PCI slots. If you use a 60x10cm fan, you can still use those PCI slots.