Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: Harryh on December 30, 2010, 01:50:28 PM

Title: Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H / Cooler Master GeminII cpu cooler question
Post by: Harryh on December 30, 2010, 01:50:28 PM
Hello Folks,

I ordered and received a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus. It will not fit in my case because of the fan mounted on the side panel of the case. I'm a little leery about buying another cooler. I don't want to go into the CPU cooler resale business.

I'm thinking about ordering the Cooler Master GeminII S. It's only about 3 inches high, so that should be no problem. My main concern is that it may interfere with the RAM. I have read that the memory slots on the GA-890GPA-UD3H are a little closer to the CPU than is usual. Does anyone know of any problem fitting this cooler on this motherboard?

Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
Phenom II X2 555 BE
Thermaltake case V9 Black  VJ400G1N2Z

Harry
Title: Re: Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H / Cooler Master GeminII cpu cooler question
Post by: soybean on December 31, 2010, 08:45:57 AM
Why do you think you need to replace your current cooler?  Do you have software installed to monitor temperatures? 

The fan on the side panel is close to the CPU, right? So, it aids the cooling of the CPU.  How many case fans, other than the one on the side panel, are installed in your computer?
Title: Re: Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H / Cooler Master GeminII cpu cooler question
Post by: Harryh on December 31, 2010, 01:03:10 PM
Hi Soybean,

Sorry, I should have explained more. I put some of this stuff in an earlier post. I guess I thought everyone would remember me.

I'm doing my first computer build. Haven't got all the components yet, or started assembly. Waiting for antistatic stuff before I touch too much.

I do have the case and the cooler. (Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus - 159mm tall) Without the motherboard in the case, I can hold the cooler in its approximate position. Guessing that the the top of the CPU would be about 0.5 inch higher than the standoffs in the case. This puts the top of the cooler right at the side panel of the case, maybe even touching. The side panel of the case (Thermaltake V9) has a 230mm fan that is 0.75 inch thick. So my cooler is a good 0.75 inch too tall. The case was described as a large gamer case, so I thought I would be alright with the large cooler.

I have ordered a Phenom II X2 555 BE. I hope to unlock hidden cores and will do only a small amount of OC. So, I probably don't need a giant cooler anyway. The Gemin II is low profile and supposed to provide good cooling. I think it will fit onto my motherboard without interfering with anything. My RAM, PNY XLR8, is pretty low profile also. Just looking for someone who has tried this cooler on this motherboard.

I have 4 fans. Large one in the side panel, large one in the top of the case, one in the front, and one in the back. Option for one behind the motherboard.
Title: Re: Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H / Cooler Master GeminII cpu cooler question
Post by: patio on December 31, 2010, 04:37:48 PM
Whats wrong with the OEM stock cooler ? ?
Title: Re: Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H / Cooler Master GeminII cpu cooler question
Post by: Harryh on December 31, 2010, 08:49:34 PM
I don't have the CPU yet, but I have read that a Black Edition CPU does not come with a stock cooler. They are expected to be overclocked, so you must provide your own cooler.
Title: Re: Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H / Cooler Master GeminII cpu cooler question
Post by: BC_Programmer on December 31, 2010, 09:13:53 PM
All Retail packaged CPU's Since at least the Pentium 2/K6-2 come with a Cooler and a little pack of paste. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Of course if you get OEM CPU's, then it might be different, but then again if you get a OEM CPU you pretty much just get  the CPU- no manuals or install instructions... but even then they usually come with the stock coolers.

The stock cooler might not be sufficient for overclocked CPUs, but unless you do plan to overclock it will work fine with the stock cooler at the stock speed (and sometimes a little higher).


Quote
It will not fit in my case because of the fan mounted on the side panel of the case.

Why not remove the side panel fan, or possibly move it elsewhere?


With regard to your question, judging from a few images it looks like you would not be able to use probably the two closest RAM slots if you use that cooler.



Title: Re: Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H / Cooler Master GeminII cpu cooler question
Post by: Harryh on December 31, 2010, 10:13:17 PM
(I'm having trouble posting this reply)

Twice I came across someone mentioning that a BE CPU does not come with a cooler, but I certainly hope you are correct. If I can unlock hidden cores and OC a little, it is likely I will need more than the stock cooler. But, if the CPU comes with a cooler, that will give me more time to find a suitable replacement cooler. The CPU I ordered is a Phenom II X2 555 BE. After I ordered this CPU I read that it is sometimes an X4 with hidden cores. Also got interested in overclocking. Both of these things, I think, will need a larger cooler. I am less interested in OC since I read that it shortens the life of the components. I like to keep a computer for ten years with some upgrades.

The CPU is a retail package, so maybe I will get a cooler.

As for removing the side panel fan, this is going to sound a little funny. . . I'm not a great housekeeper. Over the years I have noticed that the fans, always blowing outward, sucking air in all the nooks and crannies, even into the mic and headphone jacks, gets dust into every little thing. I wanted a case with a large side fan to try and create a positive pressure within the case and blow air out of all of the nooks and crannies. Thereby solving my dust in the nooks and crannies problem. I'm have to put a good filter on the side fan of course.

I have the motherboard but haven't taken it out of the static bag yet. Waiting for my antistatic stuff. I can hold the cooler that I have over the CPU socket. It looks like the heat pipes will not interfere with the first memory slot, but it's a close thing. In the pictures of the Gemin II cooler that I would like to order, it looks like the heat pipes stick out a little farther. I may be able to turn the cooler in a different direction, but then there's the Northbridge and the MOSFET heatsinks.

It won't be a terrible loss if I order the cooler and it doesn't fit. I can ship it back for about $5, I think. But perhaps someone who has tried this will come across my post.
Title: Re: Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H / Cooler Master GeminII cpu cooler question
Post by: Harryh on January 01, 2011, 11:49:07 AM
Well BC-Programmer, I hope you don't mind me checking, but you are right. The Retail Box version (which I ordered) of a Black Edition CPU is supposed to come with a cooler.

So, I think I'm set for now. Until I unlock cores and OC a little, then I may need a larger cooler.

I plan on using the computer for a couple of weeks or so, checking out stability, measuring temperatures, and such. Then I will try to unlock cores and see how that goes. Then I will try to OC a little.

Thanks folks,
Harry