Passively cooled CPUs

Judg3 · Post by **Judg3** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 3:07 pm

Hey guys,
Quick question - what's the fastest CPU I can use that I can passively cool it with? Right now my webserver/file server is a p2 400 w/ 512MB ram. While it does it's intended purpose fine, I'd like to have a more modern MB with USB2, ATA133, etc.
I have the webserver tucked away in a nice hidden space since I access it all remotely, and would like to do the same. My biggest fear is a failing HSF killing the machine, so I'd like to upgrade and stay away from the whole HSF scenario - which is the primary reason I use the p2 400, she's passively cooled.

I don't need 3Ghz+ here, just in the range of 1Ghz or so would be fine - as long as the CPU can be passively cooled. Poking around Zalman's site I didn't see the info I'm looking for - anyone else work with passive cooling before and can recommend something?

Pugsley · Post by **Pugsley** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 3:23 pm

doesent zalman make that totaly passive case?

Judg3 · Post by **Judg3** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 3:36 pm

I don't know - I think Zalman's site uses some funky java, as it slows my whole PC down when I'm there and it doesn't go away until I close it - makes for painful browsing!

b-man1 · Post by **b-man1** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 6:18 pm

i don't know of anything close to 1GHz that can be passively cooled. interesting question!...

TheSovereign · Post by **TheSovereign** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 6:44 pm

via mini-itx is 1 gig and is passively cooled

Busby · Post by **Busby** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 7:20 pm

http://www.zalman.co.kr/usa/product/cnps3100P.htm

http://www.zalman.co.kr/usa/product/cnps3100GP.htm

Both can cool up to a 3000+ Barton and all speeds T-bred processors.

http://www.xoxide.com/zalcnps3100p.html

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 8:21 pm

Originally posted by Busby
http://www.zalman.co.kr/usa/product/cnps3100P.htm

http://www.zalman.co.kr/usa/product/cnps3100GP.htm

Both can cool up to a 3000+ Barton and all speeds T-bred processors.

http://www.xoxide.com/zalcnps3100p.html

But they aren't passive busby..

Judg3 · Post by **Judg3** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 8:38 pm

Maybe if I got like an XP2400 and underclocked it to 1600 speeds the zalman would be able to cool it passively. Granted, I don't really mind having fans, as I will have em, but I don't want a fan failure to toast the system or render it un-useable, since it'll be days - weeks when I actually check it.
I know about the Mini ITX board, but I don't really want to use it for this - would prefer a more "robust" solution.

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 8:46 pm

Processors will stand for passive cooling J.. I'm afraid they just run too hot. You've have to have some kind of major heat pipe cooling solution to do it. Here's one I'm surprised nobody mentioned. With a lot of todays motherboards, you can set the bios to shut down the comp after it reaches a certain temp.. Soooo.. If it gets to hot, it shuts off, then when people start asking what's up with the webserver you can go and see what's up? Just a thought.. eGo

Busby · Post by **Busby** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 9:20 pm

There are also temp monitoring programs that will email you when the CPU gets to a certain point and also shutdown the comp. That's always a solution.

Judg3 · Post by **Judg3** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 9:30 pm

Ah, true! I suppose I didn't think about the emailing/auto shutdown stuff... Wonder if I could hack my refridgerator and shoot some coolant up to a waterblock though hehe, that'd be a fairly reliable solution! lol
Probably end up going with the zalman - even though it needs a fan, if the fan dies and the temp goes up I bet it'll shutdown before the CPU gets toasted - so that's a plus anyway hehe

RubberDuckie · Post by **RubberDuckie** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 10:00 pm

The Powersupply in this computer uses a fan....if it were to go out ... there are no monitoring devices for the PS fan. and if it were to go out then you will taost a PS....
So why worry about the CPU? It happens sometimes....
If it is not in a case and the HS is vertically on the CPU... you shouldnt have a problem if a hsf went out.

Judg3 · Post by **Judg3** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 10:05 pm

Originally posted by RubberDuckie
The Powersupply in this computer uses a fan....if it were to go out ... there are no monitoring devices for the PS fan. and if it were to go out then you will taost a PS....
So why worry about the CPU? It happens sometimes....
If it is not in a case and the HS is vertically on the CPU... you shouldnt have a problem if a hsf went out.

Well, true, but AMD CPU's are notoriously known for getting so hot so quickly when active cooling fails that they kill not only the CPU but the motherboard and occasionally things connected to the MB. I'm more concerned with losing major system components then I am about the thing just shutting down, ya know?

Viperoni · Post by **Viperoni** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 10:35 pm

Compaq/HP/Dell desktops and workstation towers and notorious for using a LARGE passive heatsink along with a duct to the PS, so that the air passes through the CPU HS, through the duct and into the PS, to be exhausted.
I've seen this from Celery 500's to P3 1ghz's.

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