SPCR

Got thinking about this topic and decided to look into my spare parts bin and found a Fan for a Pentium 233 Cooler. Turns out it's the same size as a Northbridge cooler but far quieter as it only spins at around 500 rpm. Of course it also doesn't move lots of air but I'm thinking it would move enough to ensure a passive cooler stays cool.

Of course it's also of interest If we can still get them http://www.directron.com/socket7fans.html has an OEM version listed but they're not carrying many versions anylonger.

So if anyone has suggestions as to where we can get the old style that run at <1200 rpms in either a 40/50 mm size fan, chime in.

At my work, we just threw away boxes of P100-233s most with heatsink/fans... Seriously though, why are you not going passive on your NB? This is SPCR after all!

DrCR

The big issue is mounting. You can always use adhesive thermal paste. But otherwise, you have to do some fanagiling to get it to fit the mounting holes or clips or whatever your motherboard is using. I haven't tried with a north bridge, but I have done it with a VGA card before.

VGA with Pentium (Socket 7) heatsink


VGA with Pentium Pro (Socket 8) heatsink

I typically use an Arctic Alumina adhesive and compound mix for my ghetto-mod vidcard projects. You can always get it off with the freezer trick.

But there's really no reason to have an active cooling solution on a NB these days.

If you're thinking of buying a Socket 7 CPU heatsink for use with a NB chip or VGA card, be aware that some Socket 7 heatsinks have "ledges" overhanging two opposite edges. This makes for a more secure mounting onto the CPU, but it also might interfere with circuit board components if it's being used for something other than the intended use.

Absolutely right, IsaacKuo. Check this pic:



Arrows are where the ledges are.

^ I see you like tanks for keyboards, Chris.

LOL Absolutely right DrCR, I love my Model M.

Chris Chan wrote:LOL Absolutely right DrCR, I love my Model M.

Long live the model M!

Billy, what kind of graphics cards were those? I have an older, passive card that seems to run hot (came with crappy heatsink), and might do something like what you have.