The rebirth of cool

January 10, 2009 11:22 PM

I've got a Socket 479 CPU with a fan that is making a lot of noise. Will a Socket 478 CPU fan/heatsink work on a Socket 479 CPU?

For example, would this guy work?

In addition to fixing the noise issue, I'm looking to quieten the computer. I have a Pentium M 2.1 GHz processor in there. Would a straight copper heatsink be sufficient?

Will I need to buy more thermal paste or can I use what is already on there?

Thanks for your advice.

posted by Blazecock Pileon to Computers & Internet (7 answers total)

All I know is, any time you change a heatsink it's generally a good idea to re-apply thermal paste.

Wish I could help you with the rest.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 1:17 AM on January 11, 2009

Socket 479

...Despite the 479 in the name the Pentium M Processors for this socket use only 478 Pins.

It [socket 479] uses a different electrical pin-arrangement from socket 478, making it impossible to use a Pentium M in a normal 478 board...

I would assume the inverse is true and a 478 CPU won't work a 479 socket either.
posted by delmoi at 1:33 AM on January 11, 2009

I don't need to replace the CPU, just the fan/heatsink.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:42 AM on January 11, 2009

They are mechanically the same. It should fit. You can contact Zalman support to be sure.

Theres a lot of lore and nonsense about thermal paste. Considering a tube of the stuff is like 2 dollars, theres no real reason not to if you are ordering parts. Tack it onto your order. Use as little as possible. FWIW, I almost never buy it and I have no problems. Usually theres enough reside left on the chip and enough to scrape off the old heatsink to get by.

Id go with the zalman. It has a fan and it will be super quiet. Passive cooling leaves too much up to the case fans.
posted by damn dirty ape at 1:49 AM on January 11, 2009

Old thermal paste is likely to have hardened or picked up enough dust to make it lumpy, and lumpy thermal paste will create hotspots. Use a drop of light oil or WD40 on a paper towel to clean off the old thermal paste, then apply about a match-head's worth when you fit your new heatsink. Smoosh the paste around by sliding the heatsink on the CPU - don't pre-spread it, or you will likely create air bubbles.
posted by flabdablet at 3:05 AM on January 11, 2009

Most aftermarket heatsinks come with thermal paste pre-applied. Make note of this before you goop up your chip, and then hey! notice that there's already stuff on the heatsink.
posted by notsnot at 7:19 AM on January 11, 2009

Just to note for anyone who reads this: A Socket 478 fan/heatsink will not work on a Socket 479 CPU.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 7:33 PM on January 14, 2009