low profile cooler and FSB questions for HTPC

[pendragn32]

Hello,

I have 2 questions regarding a planned HTPC build.

1. Would the Ninja Mini be the best low-profile cooler for an Antec NSK-2400 or similar case? Other options? I'll be using a basic CPU, like a Pentium e2160 clocked at 2.4ghz (currently in another machine rock-solid at 3ghz) or e5300 at stock speed.

2. How much does FSB speed matter, assuming CPU/RAM speed stay the same?
For example:
Pentium Dual Core e2160 @ 343*7 = 2.0ghz idle/2.4ghz max
Pentium Dual Core e2160 @ 300*8 = 1.8ghz idle/2.4ghz max
Pentium Dual Core e2160 @ 266*9 = 1.6ghz idle/2.4ghz max

The lower the FSB, the lower the idle speed, thus presumably lower power consumption/heat output when idle. But does that come at the cost of significantly reduced performance due to lower FSB speed, or does FSB speed not matter that much, all else being equal?

Thanks!
Douglas

[Vicotnik]

Why not go AMD? They offer more for your money at this price point.

It's hard to fail with the proven 780G + 4850e combo.

[pendragn32]

well, I'm either going to repurpose my e2160 CPU that I already have, making Intel a no-brainer, or start from scratch. If I start from scratch, I don't believe the 780G has 7.1 channel LPCM over HDMI. Of course, even the Geforce 9300 series doesn't Bitstream D-THD or DTS-MA

I do appreciate the suggestion, and the combo you mention is certainly a good one...

So, back to the original questions

[angelkiller]

1. Would the Ninja Mini be the best low-profile cooler for an Antec NSK-2400 or similar case? Other options? I'll be using a basic CPU, like a Pentium e2160 clocked at 2.4ghz (currently in another machine rock-solid at 3ghz) or e5300 at stock speed.

2. How much does FSB speed matter, assuming CPU/RAM speed stay the same?
For example:
Pentium Dual Core e2160 @ 343*7 = 2.0ghz idle/2.4ghz max
Pentium Dual Core e2160 @ 300*8 = 1.8ghz idle/2.4ghz max
Pentium Dual Core e2160 @ 266*9 = 1.6ghz idle/2.4ghz max

1. AFAIK, the Ninja Mini is the best low-profile cooler for HTPC cases that it will fit into. There are no alternatives that I would consider. The Ninja Mini should be fine for your setup.

2. FSB speed doesn't affect much. Technically speaking, lowering it does save power, but doubling the FSB speed (at the same voltage) might use a watt or two more. And you won't notice the difference between a 266MHz FSB and a 343MHz one.

[lucas82]

I think the BEST would be Thermalright HR-01 3U + 775 bracket.
The mini ninja is a very close second, though.

[pendragn32]

Thank you killer and lucas for the suggestions on the HSF. I have a Thermalright SI-97A in my current HTPC, but it looks like the HR-01 3U would run me about $50 with bracket, so I'll probably stick with the cheaper Ninja Mini. Just to throw it out there though, I hear the Scythe Shuriken SCSK-1000 (external link) is also good. Thoughts?

Thank you killer on the clarification on FSB speed. I see a lot of conflicting information on the intrawebs-thingie when using The Google, but I've learned that I can trust the sages here at SPCR.

Just for clarification, my concern about power usage and heat is in regard to the CPU itself, not the mobo. Since the CPU idles at a certain multiplier (6x in the case of the e2160), increasing FSB speed ramps up idle speed, causing the CPU to idle faster. In my example, there's a total 400mhz difference in CPU idle speeds, and I'm concerned about the increased power draw and heat from that difference. Of course, since there's no discernible difference in performance with the different FSB speeds (all else being equal), I can just stick with 266x9 to yield 1.6ghz idle/2.4ghz max.

[lucas82]

If you are talking about "top-down" coolers, there is a lot of excellent performers that fit in a NSK-2480, à la "Thermalright XP-120" (v.g. Thermalright SI-120 SE, Noctua NH-C12P).
I was refering to the HR-01 3u as the best "tower" cooler.