Adequate Cooling?

[YSM85]

I just bought a cheap CPU upgrade (Athlon 64 X2 4400+) to replace my current CPU (Athlon 64 3200+), but was unable to install it because the fan/heatsink that came with it was incompatible with my dell system (capacitors are right next to the CPU socket). My questions are, will my old fan and
heatsink be sufficient for cooling this new CPU? And what kind of information is needed to answer such a question, and where can I find it? My dell is a dimension E521 (documentation on the system here: http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...1/en/index.htm) if that will help any. Oh, and here is a link to the new CPU I bought. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103213

Here's a picture of the old heatsink: (best I could find) http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dime521/en/SM_EN/shiner_9.jpg

And here's a picture of the one that came with the new CPU: http://www.pacificgeek.com/productimages/xl/AMD-AM2-4200.jpg

So, what do you guys think?

[Cobracon]

The first 2 links you provided turned up as deadends, but I found your new CPU on Newegg's site. The new CPU (4400+) is a Socket AM2, but I think your old CPU (3200+) is a Socket 754, is that a fact?? One of my computers runs an Athlon 64 3200+ and it's a Socket 754. There might have also been a Socket 939 version of the 3200+, but I'm not sure.

If my suppositions are true, you have a Socket mismatch and the new CPU won't work on the old board regardless of whether or not the old HSF is adequate.

I'd recommend getting a second opinion on this, but I believe my facts are correct.

[YSM85]

[Cobracon]

The old HSF should work. Just make sure the old heatsink to new CPU interface is adequate, and use a high quality heatsink compound like Arctic Silver 5 or OCZ Ultra 5+. Proper contact between the old HSF and the new CPU is critical for optimum heat transfer. You can use these directions: http://www.arcticsilver.com/ins_route_step2amdas5.html as a quide.

I'd also install a CPU temperature program that displays the CPU core temperature in the notification area as a safeguard.

As an after thought, will your motherboard support the new 4400+ CPU??