CPU upgrade for my 6860 Fx

Hello everyone,

My first post on this forum..and I guess its a naive question.

I ahve a 6860 fx and Im planning to upgrade my CPU.
Im looking at any of these - x7900, T9300,T9500..while IM yet to decide what Im going for..my question is actually on the make of these CPUs.

I see ES and OEM versions of these on sale. While the ES are defenitely cheaper, I guess I dont plan to take a risk..I'll go for an OEM. When I checked up on how an OEM was different from a Retail version, I found that an OEM doesnt have a HSF (Heat Sink Fan). Now why exactly would I need this? Would a thermal compound not suffice..or would I still need a HSF.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

i think X SERIES is excellent,but,the tem is a problem~~~~

mine is T8300 it is enough to me~~~

 

I'd suggest the t9300 its about the best all around CPU for that generation of CPU's

 

I upgraded to a T9300 and am very happy. I understand many have gone with the T8300 and are happy too - the extra cache on the T9300 only comes into play when you're doing seriously CPU intensive tasks like encoding video, so otherwise the T8300 runs about the same. But I got my OEM T9300 for 210.00, and that was exactly my upgrade budget, so I just went with it.

The deal about OEM and heat sinks/fans only applies to desktop processors. Retail versions of those come with 3-year warranties as well as the heat sinks and fans (because that way, the manufacturer guarantees that the CPU will be properly cooled).

For notebooks, OEM is the same as the manufacturer puts in the notebook, since they don't sell those retail. So yes, a little Arctic Silver or your other favorite is all you need for this. I personally don't trust anything that's ES or QA, because how would I know if it's bad until it screwed up my data? And that would obviously be a bit late

Look up the CPU replacement guides here too, btw. You need to be careful with the north bridge thermal pad when you take off the CPU's heat sink and pipe. Other than that, it was just as easy as replacing a desktop CPU, if not a bit easier.

 

I second the T9300... best buy ive gotten related to computers in years... check for an OEM or refurb if you can like I did...got it for almost half price

 

Thanks for all your inputs.

GOsh, I guess I read it a little too late..I actually got myself a x7900 OEM off ebay..cost me $207.Yah, I know its going to run hotter..the TDP for this one is 44W compared to 35 for the T9300 and T950o.
I could have got a T9300 at the same price or maybe a few dollars less.

BUt overall wld u guys say it was a BAD decision..? As of now I dont plan on overclocking either and yes, my laptop is solely devoted to games.

Now that my system for sure is going to need better heat dissipation than before, what is the best thermal compound I could get and do you guys have any clue on what the temps could be like with the x7900 (with lets say a generous smothering of the best thermal compound..I know its hypothetical, I just want to have an idea of the number)..?

Finally, I have never done a CPU replacement before (neither a desktop nor a laptop)..I have had casual innocuos looks inside the laptop before, but that was just out of curiosity more than anything else.
Would it be a good idea to get technical help?

What do you guys say.

AS always, appreciate all your help!

 

Generally i advise people against the x7900 due to it being a HUGELY overpriced CPU. But for $207 i might have to change my opinion of the chip.

Thats not a bad deal for the CPU and it should preform nicely for you.

As to temps... not sure, i've never actually met/spoke to anyone using that CPU.

I have an x9000 running in my 6860 and here are my "normal" temps when just light multi-tasking and surfing the net. On a stress test i can push mid 60's So all in all you should be able to get pretty decent temps out of the x7900 (though being the older fab process you will have higher temps than i do)

 

I got my x7800 for 199.00

I like it. Oh, and you don't need a "heatsink" you'll need thermal paste though, such as arctic silver!

And, I like it. I run it at 3.0 and it is a nice improvement over stock. I can play my blu-ray and x264 rips now with ease.

 

Thank You! Yah I hope it does perform well!!

 

Thanks..and yah I did find out about the heatsink yesterday after a bit of surfing
The x7800 is pretty much the same as the x7900..and I looking forward to plugging in my x7900..!!

 

Grats on your new CPU! Just FYI, you said something about a "generous slather of heat sink compound". You need to know that is the exact OPPOSITE of what you need. Heat sink compound is only to bridge the minute air gaps between the CPU and the heatsink. It conducts heat better than air, but not as well as direct contact with the heatsink, so if you use too much, you'll actually lower the ability of the heatsink to take away the heat.

So the deal is to use the smallest possible amount that will make a good seal and squish it really well between the heatsink and CPU so that it's as thin as possible. I use a piece of paper to rub a very thin layer on the CPU, then seat the heatsink, then lift it back up and check to make sure the heatsink has an even covering (indicating it makes a nice seal). Then I seat it again and push/wiggle it around several times firmly to press out any air bubbles.

Best of luck with your new CPU!

 

Thanks wootage...Yah I did observe some other posts too that point to a "rice grain" sized piece of the compound.
I also have come across rather conflicting directions/procedures on how to apply..while some advocate spreading it all along the CPU, others say its better to apply along a vertical line at the center of the CPU. Im not sure what the procedure is, however I understand that the amount applied needs to be as little as possible!

Is there anything like the "BEST" thermal compound..?


THanks!

 

Oh you are just ASKING for trouble with that question lol. I used Arctic Silver, it was cheap and well reputed. Regarding the method of application, I don't think you can go wrong with hand spreading it via paper or something. I mean, how could you? It also makes certain that you have no excess running off of the sides to build up heat spots on the edges.

Best of luck!

 

Thanks for all ur help!!
I'll have the processor in soon..its on its way from China! WIll update on how the upgrade goes, hopefully some time next week!

 

The method I learned for spreading heatsink compound is to use a razor blade to coat the entire surface of the heatsink with as thin a layer of compound as you can while still covering the surface. Then put a BB sized drop of compound in the center of the top of the processor. It's probably best not to lift the processor up to check the application -- in order to prevent air bubbles. Press down firmly while rotating partially back and forth, then center and secure the heatsink. Using this technique, you should get even distribution with no spillover compound.

 

True, I forgot to mention that I re-spread the compound before putting the heat sink back down. That sounds like a good combo technique though.

 

Thanks Starcub..seems to be a nice method..will try this!