Repairing a Core2 Duo PC

I have taken on a project to restore a Core2 Duo PC which died a few years ago to replace a Dual Pentium PC which can only take 4gb of RAM which currently runs linux with a GT 1030 discrete graphics card. The graphics is shared so linux only sees about 2.3gb RAM. Enough to run Solus Plasma Linux but a bit sluggish.

So I plan to replace the Dual Pentium with the Core 2 Duo E8400 PC, swap the graphics as it is still supported by Nvidia and has 8gb of RAM the max.

Plan to swap SSDs over and voila better machine. Except the Core2 Duo PSU (a Corsair 500w) has fried. It started off with the fan making noise then stopping and starting and one day I came to use it and it was dead. So I have found the original PSU the Core2 Duo a Hiper model which are no longer in existence so will use that. Terrible burnt component smell from the Corsair PSU and yet I have another one running in the Dual Pentium and it is fine both bought the same time.

But another problem while changing the PSU I had to remove the Arctic Freezer Pro CPU cooler which has the benefit of discovering hardly any thermal paste on both the CPU and the Arctic cooler. But also the plastic securing pins have broken possibly due to heat as the E8400 is a hot one.

So been on the bay of plenty and ordered so Noctua Thermal Paste and a Rev 2 of the Arctic Freezer Pro for a fiver as it seems the rev 2 has stronger pins and locking mechanism.

I have dug out the old Intel cooler which was replaced by the Arctic Pro and the pins are intact but I will examine the Rev 2 Pro when it arrives see if they are actually stronger.

Should be an interesting project just hope the PSU hasn't fried the MB although I do have a spare MB exactly the same model in a box somewhere.

I remember the Hiper psus with fondness. My xfx 750 core is still going strong after 12 years. I did manage to break one of the sata plugs though

Good to know so there is hope for the old Hiper.

So my Arctic Pro Freezer Rev 2 has arrived and it looks brand new only thing missing is the box but that is not a problem. Still waiting for Noctua Thermal paste both sent same time but the paste is Royal Mail 2nd class so maybe a couple more days.

Have fitted the freezer pro intel bracket to the motherboard which was a bit fiddly til I found the instructions online as the pins and securing fasteners only go into the bracket one way. Just need the paste and alchohol wipes to clean the CPU of old paste then the build can continue.

Edited by Banger (Tue 13-May-25 01:30:48)

In reply to a post by Banger:

So my Arctic Pro Freezer Rev 2 has arrived and it looks brand new only thing missing is the box but that is not a problem. Still waiting for Noctua Thermal paste both sent same time but the paste is Royal Mail 2nd class so maybe a couple more days.

Have fitted the freezer pro intel bracket to the motherboard which was a bit fiddly til I found the instructions online as the pins and securing fasteners only go into the bracket one way. Just need the paste and alchohol wipes to clean the CPU of old paste then the build can continue.

would have gone with mx4 paste ........ I love Arctic stuff - good quality and a reasonable price

In reply to a post by Banger:

Should be an interesting project just hope the PSU hasn't fried the MB although I do have a spare MB exactly the same model in a box somewhere.

It could be that the MB fried the PSU, rather than the other way round. I'd be inclined to use the spare anyway to avoid the possibility of frying another PSU.

Good point, but it is all done now and a much snappier machine with Solus Linux.

Ah but with the Noctua paste you get 3 alchohol wipes to clean off the old paste.

How often should you refresh paste? My i5 9400F is about 6 years old with original paste and idles about 35C. Brave AI says every 2-3 years.

Never - if you apply it correctly.

https://www.corsair.com/uk/en/explorer/diy-builder/a...