hello-
does anyone have experience using passive cooling on the 55 watt AMD AM2 5200 chip?

I am making a computer for my father, who wants the computer on the desk, so he doesn't have to crawl down to insert a dvd or to plug in a device. So I am making a quiet computer.

This chip should not run very hot, so I want to figure out a good passive cooling device.

-Row1

These 55 watt AMD AM2 5200 chips run hotter than you think, a passive cooler would be massive. There are plenty of "normal" HSF combinations that are quiet enough

This thing is huge and can be run passively, but since you're going to need case fans with this you might as well also attach a slow moving 120mm fan to the heat sink for lower cpu temps.

wow your recommendation was so great i have already ordered the gemini

just kidding - i did order one of these passive coolers yesterday, since it was free-after-rebate. if it doesn't work well, i will just put it on a bookshelf as a little sculpture. but at least it gives the option of using a fan if the general case airflow is not adequate.

i am going to have at least two 120mm fans. i am gonna play around with locations to see what works best. i am just gonna watch what component gets closest to top of operating range, then address that component, and see if other components are ok. -Row1