890FXA-UD5 problem with a Arctic Freezer Pro CPU cooler

[Dark Mantis]

I have a rummage around the garage and see what hosepipe and copper tubing i've got left.

[absic]

Typical, just the usual cast-off's and old c**p! 
In that case, I'll stick with my Noctua. 

[Dark Mantis]

More than you got from Gigabyte

[Gavster]

Only trouble I've had is that I had to remove the fins from the top of my Dominator RAM, disable all of the AMD Cool n Quiet and energy saving features and also, the Noctua fans don't like to use the motherboard fan headers. Other than that I can't fault it. It is actually the quietest component on my rig and the 2 fans on the 4850X2 make much more noise. In fact, I had to remove the aluminium shroud from the card as it was the only way to actually lower the volume!

I suspect the issue of the cooler overhanging the DIMM sockets is common to most fan based coolers. Given that the 890FXA-UD5 was intended as the overclocker's pride and joy, maybe fans just don't really work with this motherboard when maxed out with DDR3.





I had a look in my nearby high street shop and the CoolIT Domino A.L.C. seems to be a mainstream solution to quite cooling if no conventional CPU fan cooling system will fit. But I would really like to find a fan that fits, as the are so much simpler to install and remove if the need arises.

[Dark Mantis]

There is also the Corsair H50. A similar setup but I think more thought of. Again it is easy to fit as it comes as a complete kit.

[Gavster]

I have just ordered a quiet cooler which I hope enable me to complete by computer build: the Thermaltake ISGC-200 which I think will work in the confined space of the 890FXA-UD5's CPU area, but hopefully without any modifications, such as those made by absic . The cooler is about 5cm smaller than the Arctic cooler Freezer Pro, and my guess is any cooler that is about 10cm square or smaller should fit in any direction. The Thermaltake is about 14cm high, but the only limitation on height is case width.





If this does not work, I am going to be well anoyed but, if I am backed into a tight corner for a second time, I might be able to grind or sand down the edges of the Thermaltake's fins to get a good fit, as unlike the Freezer Pro, the fan sits inside the heat sink array, not outside.

Hopefully I won't have to borrow a pair of scissors from Dark Mantis  
 

[absic]

Looks good and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

By the way, I haven't had to alter my Noctua Cooler to make it fit. All I had to do was remove the extra cooling fins from the top of my RAM. so no major mods there.

[Gavster]

Only trouble I've had is that I had to remove the fins from the top of my Dominator RAM, disable all of the AMD Cool n Quiet and energy saving features and also, the Noctua fans don't like to use the motherboard fan headers.

Why did you have to disable the AMD Cool n Quiet and energy saving features? I thought that was one of the big features of the new generation Phenoms. What was the benefit?

[absic]

Ah, that is due to using a 3rd party cooler and a deliberate choice on my part.

The Noctua fans don't like the ramped current that comes from using Cool N Quiet technology. Also, I run my fans at max speed, (they are really quiet even running flat out) directly from the PSU, so I don't need the so called "benefits" such energy saving features deliver. I knew this would be the case before I invested in the Noctua so it wasn't a problem for me.

I think, with regard to water cooling (DM will say if I'm wrong here) the use of Cool N Quiet technology is not needed and is also switched off .

[Dark Mantis]

Hopefully I won't have to borrow a pair of scissors from Dark Mantis  
 

Actually for all my better building customisation I use a chainsaw, absic will tell you
And yes absic you are certainly right about not needing the energy saving "extras" when water cooling.

[Gavster]

Looks good and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

I have now fitted the Thermaltake, and I must say it looks good, and seems to fit well. There is at least a 1cm of clearance between the heatsink and the DDR3 modules, so this is the right choice of cooler for the narrow confines of this motherboard, provided of course that a powerful cooling solution to support overclocking is not your objective.



So far it runs very quietly, so I am quite pleased. Only time will tell if this is the best solution in terms of my cooling requirements.

[Dark Mantis]

Looks really nice and is a superb fit. I bet you are happy with it now.