Often times members of this forum ask questions regarding computer systems or components. For those folks, I'd like to pass on a bit of useful information I learned the hard way.
I just had a new system built around a 3.2 GHZ P4. I ordered a Northwood core. I got a Prescott. My advice: Avoid Prescott cores as you would the plague.
I just learned that the nominal idle temperature for a Northwood processor is about 34 degrees C. The nominal idle temperature for Prescott cores is around 50 degrees C. As usage increases, temperatures increase proportionately until the processor starts to throttle back.
Two things: First, the temperature diferential between idle and the onset of throttling is lower in the Prescott. That is, the Prescott will begin to throttle back at lower relative usage levels than the Northwood. Second, the Prescott generates a lot more heat and therefore requires the CPU fan to operate at a much higher RPM than the Northwood. The cpu fan (stock Intel) on my new system sounds like a 747 on takeoff.
I may be able to mitigate the noise problem with an aftermarket fan but, from what I've read, the noise levels of these products are difficult to predict. So, far, there doesn't seem to be one particular aftermarket fan that really stands out from the rest. As it is, I may have to chuck the Prescott processor in favor of a new Northwood just to preserve what remains of my sanity.
As I said, I hope my potentially expensive lesson helps someone avoid a bit of unneeded grief.
Jan
I just had a new system built around a 3.2 GHZ P4. I ordered a Northwood core. I got a Prescott. My advice: Avoid Prescott cores as you would the plague.
I just learned that the nominal idle temperature for a Northwood processor is about 34 degrees C. The nominal idle temperature for Prescott cores is around 50 degrees C. As usage increases, temperatures increase proportionately until the processor starts to throttle back.
Two things: First, the temperature diferential between idle and the onset of throttling is lower in the Prescott. That is, the Prescott will begin to throttle back at lower relative usage levels than the Northwood. Second, the Prescott generates a lot more heat and therefore requires the CPU fan to operate at a much higher RPM than the Northwood. The cpu fan (stock Intel) on my new system sounds like a 747 on takeoff.
I may be able to mitigate the noise problem with an aftermarket fan but, from what I've read, the noise levels of these products are difficult to predict. So, far, there doesn't seem to be one particular aftermarket fan that really stands out from the rest. As it is, I may have to chuck the Prescott processor in favor of a new Northwood just to preserve what remains of my sanity.
As I said, I hope my potentially expensive lesson helps someone avoid a bit of unneeded grief.
Jan