Dell 8400 heat sink / fan issue

Ok just sharing some info. Some design of m-board is design that cpu fan is controlled via motherboard sensor and software.

For good dissipation of heat, some tips are based true experiences, like the way the thermal compound is being applied, the brand of thermal compound, size of the heatsink, fan, and the overall air system of the cpu case.

As for applying of thermal compound an enough amount to cover the processor surface the one that contacts with the heatsink(commonly the one on the center). Too much or too less is not good.. Nano silver and brand is important too.

Some use aftermarket CPU cooler. And the way the airflow on the CPU case. Exhaust on the upper(says that hot air is commonly on the upper) and intake on the bottom( cool air tends to be on the bottom portion). Additional case fan to be added.

And also how you clip the heatsink on its place. It must be level of parallel to the surface of the processor.

And maintenance issue, clog heatsink and dirty fan blade.

Hope this helps.

You can find professional cleaning solution products at any good computer parts store, or you can rubbing alchohol (the less water content the better) use a lint free cloth like the kind to clean eye glasses.

In my opinion the best thermal paste is Arctic Silver