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BernardPD

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122 Posts

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May 17th, 2024 21:42

What standard cooler on Precision 3680 Tower?

I'm configuring a Precision 3680 tower with i5-14600 CPU and no discrete graphics. The recommended 300W PSU should be enough with this.

I would have liked to upgrade to a better CPU cooler, but this is not possible without also upgrading to a 500W PSU, which (according to specs in owner's manual) only differs from the standard 300W PSU by having additional connectors for a graphics card.

Is Dell using the boxed cooler (RM-1, see pic) that Intel ships with the i5-14600? Or are they using one of their own coolers?
Any comments on performance and noise are welcome.

BernardPD

1 Rookie

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122 Posts

May 18th, 2024 20:47

Well, I just found the answer to my question in the owners's manual. With 65W-rated CPUs, Dell is again re-using it's own standard heatsink and fan. This setup is not enough to keep the CPU from throttling under higher heat resulting from sustained Turbo.

It's too bad Dell won't allow a CPU cooler upgrade as a stand-alone option.

bradthetechnut

6 Professor

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7.6K Posts

May 19th, 2024 23:53

BernardPD

1 Rookie

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122 Posts

20-05-2024 00:43 AM

@bradthetechnut​ 

Thanks,

I see it comes with a backplate, which, if I understand the Owner's Manual, requires taking the motherboard out of the case.

And the price is about the same as the cost of configuring the computer from the factory with the better tower cooler *and* the 500W PSU.

It would just be better to be able to add the premium cooler without having to get the 500W PSU. I remember Dell allowing this in previous versions of the Precision Tower.

bradthetechnut

6 Professor

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7.6K Posts

May 20th, 2024 03:21

For the Precision 3620, I've seen that backplate on new coolers, but not on refurb and used coolers.  It made me think it's a protector during shipping.  Reason being is my current heatsink is screwed down, and the larger cooler screws down also.  So for sure it's a backplate the requires MB removal?

(edited)

Chino de Oro

5 Practitioner

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5.1K Posts

May 20th, 2024 06:20

@BernardPD , if you are referring to the green color piece of plastic on the bottom of heatsink, it's just a protective cover for pre-applied thermal paste, not a backplate. 

BernardPD

1 Rookie

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122 Posts

20-05-2024 21:00 PM

@Chino de Oro​ 

Thanks! It means that the four "legs" are only there to keep the cover in place.
It's much easier to install if it only has to be screwed down from the top.

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