How to: Thermalright SP-94 with a TMD fan

FunkyFresh · 22-March-04, 03:25 PM

Just installed a Thermalright SP-94 (the one with the heatpipes) and used a Y.S. Tech TMD fan on it. For anyone else thinking of doing so, here's what you'll need to know.

Why you'd want to use a TMD: Sure, you could use a honkin' 92mm fan. But the heatsink's only 59mm wide at the top, leaving a good amount of a 92mm fan blowing air onto the motherboard. Meanwhile, there's a big "dead spot" in the middle where the fan motor is. So in this case, a TMD fan may provide you with more effective airflow.

The Problem: Thermalright says this heatsink works with 70mm fans. But while the TMD fan may be 70mm, the casing is 74mm at its widest point. So it fits loosely in the heatsink's tier for 80mm fans. Also, the included mounting clips work only with 80mm and 92mm fans.

A Solution: I happened to have some 18 gauge, insulated, solid copper wire from Radio Shack lying around (link). I stripped off the insulation, carefully straightened the wire, and worked it all the way through the heatsink, through the holes where the mounting clips are supposed to attach. Then, I fed it up through one screw hole on the fan, down through the other, twisted the wire ends tightly together with some pliers, trimmed the excess, and tucked the twist under the fan overhang. Repeated for the other side. Voila! Looks like it was meant to be like that, especially with the copper matching copper (as opposed to the included silver clips).

Yeah, this isn't exactly rocket science, but if you go with this HSF combo, this method might save you some head-scratching...

EDIT: Got some pics, though not the best quality. Someone's gonna say it, so no, I didn't install carpeting in this case.

Joose · 22-March-04, 03:27 PM

Sounds good, but where are the pics??

Thanks for the how-to

BTW - have some rep points

FunkyFresh · 22-March-04, 03:43 PM

Might be able to take/post some shots tonight..

Gamma_Goblin · 22-March-04, 04:09 PM

Nice How to. Some rep points coming your way :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkyfresh


	Sure, you could use a honkin' 92mm fan. But the heatsink's only 59mm wide at the top, leaving a good amount of a 92mm fan blowing air onto the motherboard. Meanwhile, there's a big "dead spot" in the middle where the fan motor is. So in this case, a TMD fan may provide you with more effective airflow.

I didn't believe it until I experienced it firsthand-- an 80mm fan with similar airflow to the TMD was beaten by the TMD!

I'm glad that someone is using the unpopular TMD fans

Brandon Cisneros

EDIT: I'd like to see this done w/ a TMD2 fan

TiZakit · 22-March-04, 04:13 PM

I think they are unpopular because they decided to go with 70mm... If it were 80 or 92mm I would definitally have some.

Erad · 22-March-04, 04:19 PM

How are the temps?

Joose · 22-March-04, 04:30 PM

I thought they were unpopular because they were lighting on fire for a while there...

FunkyFresh · 22-March-04, 04:40 PM

Haven't booted it yet; still putting it together piece by piece as they arrive (still waiting on mem, o/s). I'll be curious to see the temps once it's up and running. This'll be on a P4 2.8 (800), by the way.

Yeah, I don't know what moron in upper management decided on the 70-74mm size instead of 80 or 92, but I suspect he was fired and is now working for my company...

Anyway, ideally I'd like to try a couple different fans on that HS and compare temps, but it's not my rig (I'm helping my dad with his) so I'll have to see how patient he'll be with my swapping parts once it's up and running. Come to think of it, I may still have a fan or two left over from the bunch that Brandon sent me a year ago (thanks again, man!).

FunkyFresh · 26-April-04, 01:26 PM

Update:

Finally got the last of the parts in and got this up and running. Some people were asking about temps with this setup; I haven't gotten to do a good load test yet, but the idle temps as reported by the bios are 29-31 CPU, with the case temp at 26-27. Sounds good to me.

MBM reported some lower temps, but I don't trust those. At one point it reported the CPU temp (via Winbond 2 diode) as being lower than the motherboard temp (Winbond 1). Pretty impressive, if you ignore it being impossible and all.

By the way, just to be safe I followed the advice on TMD's at overclockers.com, took the fan apart, and insulated the coils. It was real easy to take apart, just pop the tabs. But if you do, be careful when taking the top off since the RTV (silicone stuff) on the coils sometimes sticks them to the top.

22-March-04, 03:25 PM		#1 (permalink)
FunkyFresh 'Da Doctor of Funk	How to: Thermalright SP-94 with a TMD fan Just installed a Thermalright SP-94 (the one with the heatpipes) and used a Y.S. Tech TMD fan on it. For anyone else thinking of doing so, here's what you'll need to know. Why you'd want to use a TMD: Sure, you could use a honkin' 92mm fan. But the heatsink's only 59mm wide at the top, leaving a good amount of a 92mm fan blowing air onto the motherboard. Meanwhile, there's a big "dead spot" in the middle where the fan motor is. So in this case, a TMD fan may provide you with more effective airflow. The Problem: Thermalright says this heatsink works with 70mm fans. But while the TMD fan may be 70mm, the casing is 74mm at its widest point. So it fits loosely in the heatsink's tier for 80mm fans. Also, the included mounting clips work only with 80mm and 92mm fans. A Solution: I happened to have some 18 gauge, insulated, solid copper wire from Radio Shack lying around (link). I stripped off the insulation, carefully straightened the wire, and worked it all the way through the heatsink, through the holes where the mounting clips are supposed to attach. Then, I fed it up through one screw hole on the fan, down through the other, twisted the wire ends tightly together with some pliers, trimmed the excess, and tucked the twist under the fan overhang. Repeated for the other side. Voila! Looks like it was meant to be like that, especially with the copper matching copper (as opposed to the included silver clips). Yeah, this isn't exactly rocket science, but if you go with this HSF combo, this method might save you some head-scratching... EDIT: Got some pics, though not the best quality. Someone's gonna say it, so no, I didn't install carpeting in this case. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by FunkyFresh; 23-March-04 at 08:02 AM..

22-March-04, 03:27 PM		#2 (permalink)
Joose Joosey	Sounds good, but where are the pics?? Thanks for the how-to BTW - have some rep points Last edited by Joose; 22-March-04 at 03:46 PM..

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22-March-04, 03:43 PM		#3 (permalink)
FunkyFresh 'Da Doctor of Funk	Might be able to take/post some shots tonight..

22-March-04, 04:13 PM		#5 (permalink)
TiZakit Apex Tech Demi-God	I think they are unpopular because they decided to go with 70mm... If it were 80 or 92mm I would definitally have some.

22-March-04, 04:19 PM		#6 (permalink)
Erad Radic-Hoe Gallery Mod	How are the temps?

22-March-04, 04:30 PM		#7 (permalink)
Joose Joosey	I thought they were unpopular because they were lighting on fire for a while there...

22-March-04, 04:40 PM		#8 (permalink)
FunkyFresh 'Da Doctor of Funk	Haven't booted it yet; still putting it together piece by piece as they arrive (still waiting on mem, o/s). I'll be curious to see the temps once it's up and running. This'll be on a P4 2.8 (800), by the way. Yeah, I don't know what moron in upper management decided on the 70-74mm size instead of 80 or 92, but I suspect he was fired and is now working for my company... Anyway, ideally I'd like to try a couple different fans on that HS and compare temps, but it's not my rig (I'm helping my dad with his) so I'll have to see how patient he'll be with my swapping parts once it's up and running. Come to think of it, I may still have a fan or two left over from the bunch that Brandon sent me a year ago (thanks again, man!).

26-April-04, 01:26 PM		#9 (permalink)
FunkyFresh 'Da Doctor of Funk	Update: Finally got the last of the parts in and got this up and running. Some people were asking about temps with this setup; I haven't gotten to do a good load test yet, but the idle temps as reported by the bios are 29-31 CPU, with the case temp at 26-27. Sounds good to me. MBM reported some lower temps, but I don't trust those. At one point it reported the CPU temp (via Winbond 2 diode) as being lower than the motherboard temp (Winbond 1). Pretty impressive, if you ignore it being impossible and all. By the way, just to be safe I followed the advice on TMD's at overclockers.com, took the fan apart, and insulated the coils. It was real easy to take apart, just pop the tabs. But if you do, be careful when taking the top off since the RTV (silicone stuff) on the coils sometimes sticks them to the top.