Well, my plan to put one of my 2.5GHz CPU cards onto the 2.3 heatsink and run a single CPU failed. Even with all the screws removed I could not get the dual heatpipe VRM heatsink removed from the 2.5 card. It seems to be glued in place or something and I didn't want to risk bending the PCB too much.
So, instead, I decided to install the 2.3 card that came with the heatsink and am very pleased with the result. It's so quiet, I can't believe it. The fans basically never spin up past 500RPM. Even during a Cinebench run, the fans stayed at 500RPM with a peak temp of 68C. I immediately ran it again and it hit a peak of 73C about halfway through while the fans slowly ramped up to 1000RPM, then temps dropped to 70C and the fans stabilized at around 650RPM where they stayed through the end of that run and the 3rd run afterwards. Silence at last.
Obviously performance was negatively affected with a Cinebench score of 0.86. I was running the Quad in reduced performance mode anyway though to keep temps (and therefore noise) under control so I doubt I lost much. Amazingly the single 2.3 running full tilt was still quieter than the quad 2.5s in reduced mode at idle which usually had the fans running around 1200RPM.
Only real downside at this point is that the red LED labeled "CPU B Insert" is lit up all the time, even when the computer is turned off. Still on the hunt for another 2.3 heatsink.
So, instead, I decided to install the 2.3 card that came with the heatsink and am very pleased with the result. It's so quiet, I can't believe it. The fans basically never spin up past 500RPM. Even during a Cinebench run, the fans stayed at 500RPM with a peak temp of 68C. I immediately ran it again and it hit a peak of 73C about halfway through while the fans slowly ramped up to 1000RPM, then temps dropped to 70C and the fans stabilized at around 650RPM where they stayed through the end of that run and the 3rd run afterwards. Silence at last.
Obviously performance was negatively affected with a Cinebench score of 0.86. I was running the Quad in reduced performance mode anyway though to keep temps (and therefore noise) under control so I doubt I lost much. Amazingly the single 2.3 running full tilt was still quieter than the quad 2.5s in reduced mode at idle which usually had the fans running around 1200RPM.
Only real downside at this point is that the red LED labeled "CPU B Insert" is lit up all the time, even when the computer is turned off. Still on the hunt for another 2.3 heatsink.