CPU Coolers for new build

TBSN · Post by **TBSN** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 2:20 pm

So, I'm looking for a good CPU HSF for an E6400 build. I am going to overclock it moderately. the CPU cooler doesn't have to be 'silent,' but I'd like it to be pretty quiet. Here are two that I'm looking at, please suggest others if you want.

>>>The well-liked Tuniq Tower (link) seems like a good one, although a bit expensive. Also, does anyone know what the deal is with the fan controller? It seems a little strange to have a knob that goes on the back of the computer, and no way to adjust speed using the BIOS or whatever...

>>>The Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro. (link) It is cheaper and smaller, but also has a smaller fan so most likely slightly diminished cooling. I believe the fan is made so that it automatically changes speed according to CPU temp. (Is this right?) Also, I read that it can get loud/ whiny at higher speeds...

Any advice would be appreciated!

pyogenes · Post by **pyogenes** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 4:08 pm

The majority of people here will recommend a Scythe Ninja or Thermalright Ultra-120.

Make sure you read the heatsink review here

TBSN · Post by **TBSN** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 4:40 pm

Cool. Do you know if the Sythe Ninja Rev. B is the same as the original, as in, will it fit most motherboards?

drakar · Post by **drakar** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 5:23 pm

I'm using an AC Freezer 7 Pro on an overclocked E6300. Cools pretty well, and with some tweaking it's very quiet. The fan is 4-pin PWM, so it changes speed according to temps. It gets somewhat loud when it ramps up to full speed, but I just set the full-speed temp in bios to 62C, so it never reaches that and stays quiet.

OCed to 3 Ghz and it hits 55C under load (~20C ambient). Not a bad heatsink - you can probably go quieter and a few degrees cooler with others, but they'll be more expensive.

TBSN · Post by **TBSN** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 5:31 pm

OK, thanks for the advice. BTW, what mobo do you have? Can most Bios's set the fan speed to max at a certain temp like yours? thanks

drakar · Post by **drakar** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 5:41 pm

I have a Biostar 965PT. I would think that the newer C2D motherboards can do the same thing (the stock Intel cooler is 4-pin PWM), but I'm not sure about any others.

pyogenes · Post by **pyogenes** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 11:31 am

TBSN wrote:Cool. Do you know if the Sythe Ninja Rev. B is the same as the original, as in, will it fit most motherboards?

Revision B is the model that has compatibility issues with some motherboards.

aqm consultant · Post by **aqm consultant** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 1:32 pm

I'm (unfortunately) in the market too. Just got the x2 5200+ AM2 chip and was surpised to find a small cheesy solid aluminum HS is now stock!

The fan even LOOKS noisy. The one that came with a 4800+ S939 processor 8 months ago had heat pipes and a larger pretty quiet fan, especially on CnQ. I'm building on an Asus M2N-SLI deluxe in a P150 and would welcome recommendations for a quiet (not silent) HSF that would fit, and wouldn't be too heavy. Zalman 9500 Cu?

Chris Chan · Post by **Chris Chan** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 4:42 pm

*wouldn't be too heavy*, aqm. The 9500Cu is about 800g iirc. The Scythe Ninja is only 652g.

aqm consultant · Post by **aqm consultant** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 4:56 pm

Thanks Chris. Jaganath points out the Scythe Mine as another alternative, and it's apparently ~530g (at least the previous version reviewed here). Can't find a weight on the SCMN-1100 rev B, but looks to be a good compromise.

Chris Chan · Post by **Chris Chan** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 5:20 pm

The Mine will have more turbulence noise in theory, because the airflw from the fan goes through two sets of fins.

aqm consultant · Post by **aqm consultant** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 6:14 pm

Understood. FWIW, the mfr specs on the Mine are 22 dba, while the Zalman are 19-27. I'm planning on running CnQ which works really well on my 4800+, and this one I'll tolerate as it will be in a different room and not often loaded to 100% cpu on both cores (but even if it is, I won't be next to it). The 4800 is in a P150 w/120 and 2 92 Nexus fans with the door off, and I can't hear it

.

Felger Carbon · Post by **Felger Carbon** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:01 pm

Chris Chan wrote:The 9500Cu is about 800g iirc. The Scythe Ninja is only 652g.

9500 weight with fan, Ninja without. If you plan to use a fan on the Ninja, it gets 100-175g heavier, depending on the fan.

aqm consultant · Post by **aqm consultant** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 12:01 am

Well, got all the parts except an alternate HSF. Guess I'll build it and see if the stock cooler sounds like my old Athlon Thunderbird (not too bad -- couldn't hear it if I was more than 1/4 mile away

). The Mine does look good. Before that, however, I could have other issues that will cause problems (MB compatibility with OCZ platinum rev 2 RAM is high on the list). We'll see . . . .

Chris Chan · Post by **Chris Chan** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 2:43 pm

Thanks FC. But the Ninja is better cooler by weight.

qviri · Post by **qviri** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 2:51 pm

Felger Carbon wrote:
Chris Chan wrote:The 9500Cu is about 800g iirc. The Scythe Ninja is only 652g.
9500 weight with fan, Ninja without. If you plan to use a fan on the Ninja, it gets 100-175g heavier, depending on the fan.

You can duct Ninja to a case fan much more effectively than a 9500.

cmthomson · Post by **cmthomson** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 6:06 pm

qviri wrote:You can duct Ninja to a case fan much more effectively than a 9500.

Or an HR-01-775, which comes with a duct so you don't have to build one.