Hi,
I am in the process of upgrading my HTPC, and I need some advice on which CPU Cooler to buy. The particular specs of my upgraded HTPC that are relevant are: -
Case: OrigenAE X11 v2
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 SLACR (G0 Stepping)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DQ6 rev. 1.0
I am more interested in function of the CPU Cooler (i.e. how well it cools) rather than cosmetic looks, but I would also like it to be relatively quiet. The only other restriction is that I would like the fan to be PWM controlled (don't mind if I have to buy a fan seperately).
The biggest restriction I have have though is the height of the cooler. The OrigenAE website states that the cooler must not exceed 120mm in height. I do know however that the Zalman CNPS9500 AT fits in, as that was my original CPU Cooler. The height of that cooler is 125mm.
What cooler would people recommend I go for?
Many thanks,
Keith
CPU Cooler for Q6600 in OrigenAE X11 Case
Moderators: NeilBlanchard, Ralf Hutter, sthayashi, Lawrence Lee
Not familiar with your case, but a Thermalright SI-128 SE with a 25mm thick fan is 117mm high.
I've seen reviews that indicate the new SE model is about as good as a heatsink gets.
Another one about the same height is the Scythe Mini-Ninja
I think I would prefer the bolt-through mounting system of the Thermalright SI-128 SE as it seems more secure than the push-pins the Scythe Mini-Ninja uses, and additionally, the Thermalright SI-128 SE is a "blow down" design which will also cool your motherboard's power regulator circuitry.
The Thermalright SI-128 SE comes with clips for any 120mm fan of your choice, if you want a PWM fan I suggest an Arctic-Cooling AF12025PWM, Newegg doesn't carry them but I think Directron does.
With that Gigabyte GA-P35-DQ6 mobo of yours with all the "silent-pipe" bling, you may have trouble fitting a large heatsink due to conflicts with the "silent-pipe" plumbing... the Scythe Mini-Ninja in particular would be very hard to fit, I suspect the Thermalright SI-128 SE would be easier to shoehorn on that mobo, but you will definitly need to remove the mobo from the case to do it.
I've seen reviews that indicate the new SE model is about as good as a heatsink gets.
Another one about the same height is the Scythe Mini-Ninja
I think I would prefer the bolt-through mounting system of the Thermalright SI-128 SE as it seems more secure than the push-pins the Scythe Mini-Ninja uses, and additionally, the Thermalright SI-128 SE is a "blow down" design which will also cool your motherboard's power regulator circuitry.
The Thermalright SI-128 SE comes with clips for any 120mm fan of your choice, if you want a PWM fan I suggest an Arctic-Cooling AF12025PWM, Newegg doesn't carry them but I think Directron does.
With that Gigabyte GA-P35-DQ6 mobo of yours with all the "silent-pipe" bling, you may have trouble fitting a large heatsink due to conflicts with the "silent-pipe" plumbing... the Scythe Mini-Ninja in particular would be very hard to fit, I suspect the Thermalright SI-128 SE would be easier to shoehorn on that mobo, but you will definitly need to remove the mobo from the case to do it.