Aftermarket CPU Cooler Heatsink/Fan Suggestions

Discussion in 'Tech Talk' started by Sogetsu, Apr 21, 2010.

  1. Sogetsu
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    Hey XoO,

    Got all my parts ordered and they should all be arriving by the end of the week.
    Unfortunately I forgot to get an aftermarket cooler for my i7-930.
    I've read a lot of articles, don't want to spend too much $ but want something pretty decent.

    I'll be overclocking some, but I'm not going to go 4.0ghz+ probably and
    definitely won't be doing any benching to flex my computard skilzzzzz.

    I've been looking at the CM Hyper 212:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

    I've heard great things about the Prolimatech Megahalems
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835242001
    but I'm not quite sure I want to spend that much (I mean, sure. Whats
    a few more $10's when I'm already spending a lot - covered this in another thread).

    Also, heard great things about this product as well, Noctua:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608016

    Any other suggestions? Advice?
    You can flame me if you want, but I've never used an aftermarket cooler
    cause I don't OC on my past builds (never really had too) so I always
    stuck with the Intel stock.

    Thanks in advance. :3
     
  2. Seven
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    Hey Soge, take a look at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...m_re=zalman_cpu_cooler-_-35-118-046-_-Product

    Zalman has been a great product for me and is rated very well. I picked one of their line of coolers, there are more versions at other price points. The Zalman thermal grease is just as good as Arctic Silver (I wouldn't go with anything less, lol). Anyway, that probably throws more mud into the water instead of clearing things up, but thought I'd show an option that has worked for me.
     
  3. Sogetsu
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    Yeah, I had a few friends that used the Zalman's and they seemed fine.
    Was just exploring some other companies - but I might try out the Zalman's.
    Thanks for the response. I should be on Vent tomorrow night for more talkin'.

    I'm up for other suggestions than the ones I posted too, just to state.
     
  4. Vandiego
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  5. Seven
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    Of course the ones that we've shown are intended for more than 'normal' use. You need to decide right off the bat about how much you intend to OC your comp, if at all. If you are going to leave your unit near stock levels, a decent quality, sub 50$ cooler is fine. I would still have a hard time recommending to keep the stock cooler, at least until the new-gen Intel coolers come out soon. A small investment in a decent heatsink will add lifetime to your CPU. For most people with 'moderate' OCs, a cooler in the range of 50-80$ is typically OK (this is a good sweetspot of many very good to excellent quality coolers on the market). More hardcore OCs will take a solution that will cost more than 80$, and up to several hundred bucks. ANyway, there are 2 more cents, lol.
     
  6. Sogetsu
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    Like I stated, probably around the 3.8ghz mark (at most).
    I obviously won't start there, but build up to it gradually (learning as I go is the point of this).

    And if I was going to be hardcore into overclocking, I'd probably invest
    in some water-cooling and learn how to do that (might in the future).

    As of now, I think I'm going with the CM 212 or that 9700 Zalman.

    Any other suggestions are welcome, will probably be ordering that
    in the next few days.

    Thanks again!
     
  7. Vandiego
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    I'm telling ya, the noc is better than a rad system.

    You better buy all the toys you can before you get hitched in 6 months :)

    Congratulations all the same!
     
  8. Sogetsu
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    Thanks man.

    Noob question: What do you mean by a "rad" system?

    I'll check out that Noctura, I'm just hesitant on spending more
    money than I already have :'[
     
  9. Seven
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    THe Noctua did test well, no question, but will it be worth it for Soge?? I wouldn't think so. You can get a cooler that will perform just as well at the performance he would be asking for for near half the price. It doesn't really pay to get a Ferrari instead of a Camry if all you are going to do is stay at 60 MPH on the highway.
     
  10. Vandiego
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    Rad= Radiator cooled system

    Seven - The difference is if you ever want to open that engine up and see what it can do you can do it with the Ferrari and not the Camry.
     
  11. Letigre
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  12. Sogetsu
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    Thanks.

    Also, is the only difference between these two Noctura's in the obvious heatsink?

    One you linked:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...608018&cm_re=noctua_nh-_-35-608-018-_-Product

    One I linked:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608016

    Will probably be ordering today or tomorow.
     
  13. Vandiego
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    The one I posted like Seven said is for OC'ing enthusiasts you will be more than satisfied with the one you linked imo. They're super quiet even when being pushed which is very nice if you're one of those pc by the bed type of people.

    If you do end up getting this please give the best review on it you can. As I am looking to get it's big brother when the hex-cores come out.
     
  14. eel
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    I've been using that cooler for over a year now on my 2,8ghz amd dual core. It has a high and low fan speed function, i've been using the low speed function and haven't been able to hear the fan even on high cpu load. I've had no problems whatsoever with it and installing it was easy.
     
  15. Sogetsu
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    Cool, thanks for the added review.

    Also, not sure if I'd be able to fit that Noctura you linked Van onto
    my board because of the way the heatsinks are on it:

    http://www.evga.com/PRODUCTS/enlarge.asp?PN=132-BL-E758-A1&I=5

    I wouldn't think that a higher end board would not "make room" for the
    larger aftermarket coolers, but after watching/seeing the cooler
    in that video you posted, and looking at my board (on my desk) I'm
    not even sure that it will properly fit onto my board without
    hitting something else or.. just not fit.