Quiet "low profile" CPU coolers

klingenfelter · Post by **klingenfelter** » Fri May 11, 2007 11:40 am

Does anyone have opinions on CPU coolers for HTPC cases. According to the case manf. I have 130 mm between the CPU surface and the case top. I measure it somewhat more. I've been looking at the Zalman CPNS9500, but they say it must be put in a case with at least 135 mm even tough it is only 125 mm high. I've been favoring horzontal flow units because the vertical flow units with large heat sink areas would put the fan very close to the case top, perhaps cutting down air flow. On the other hand I hope that the fan mostly doesn't run for the sake of quiet.

I'll be using an AMD Athron 64 3500+ socket AM2 for low wattage. I don't have a heavy computing load as I'll be playing only music and some video on the PC.

I purchased the Thermalright ultra 90A, but will need to return it as it misses by about 1-2 mm clearing the top of the case.

I've also looked at the Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro but have encountered reviews on other sites that down grade its noise perfomance.

I'm also looking the Noctua NH-U9F CPU Heat Sink.

Please critique these choice and offer your thoughts.

Thanks

Keith Lingenfelter

aztec · Post by **aztec** » Fri May 11, 2007 1:27 pm

I juts got a Scythe Samurai-Z (rev. b) Not sure if its sufficient for your cooling needs, but it will defintiely fit.

I have it on a non-OC'ed e6600 and it works great.

undermind · Post by **undermind** » Tue May 15, 2007 6:03 pm

You must have more than 130mm between the CPU surface and the case if that Ultra-90A just missed by 1-2mm. The Ultra-90A is 140mm according to Thermalright.

Ackelind · Post by **Ackelind** » Wed May 16, 2007 1:14 am

How about the Thermaltake MaxOrb with the possibility of a fan swap? I looks essentially like the Zalman 7000/7700-series, but with a slightly different design incorporating heatpipes.

thejamppa · Post by **thejamppa** » Wed May 16, 2007 1:56 am

You AMD 64 low wattage... You could use Thermalright SL-120 or SL-128 as passive. Or add 120mm fan just in case. They would definately fit for your needs.

Lt_Dan · Post by **Lt_Dan** » Fri May 18, 2007 4:42 pm

Hi,
I am also looking at the Zalman 7700.
is it quiet? i saw the review but i wanted to know about any real experience with it.
also, regarding the Samurai Z - do they both fit a Gigabyte 965p-ds3p motherboard? i don't see them at the Scythe and Zalman sites.
I have an core 2 duo 6600.
thanks a lot (i didn't want to open a new topic),
Dan.

Max Slowik · Post by **Max Slowik** » Sat May 19, 2007 7:27 am

Thermaltake does hinky stuff with their products, and often don't use solder or enough solder with their heatsinks, instead relying on pressure fittings to transfer heat.

I've tested some of every kind of product Thermaltake makes and I have never been satisfied by any of them. I've even been unable to finish reviews of Thermaltake products because they failed and--not even for review purposes--TT wouldn't replace the bad product.

Bluefront · Post by **Bluefront** » Sat May 19, 2007 11:47 am

here's my Zalman 7700, modified with a Yate Loon.....

Fairly easy mod and well worth the trouble. This is a wide heatsink, but really short.....68mm I think. Works well.....

Lt_Dan · Post by **Lt_Dan** » Sat May 19, 2007 12:24 pm

wow! great!
will it fit this:

i saw you can change the fan, but it's not recommended in a standing case, or so i read.
is there another fan i can put in there? i couldn't find a nexus where i live.
also, how noisy is it with the stock fan? what mobo do you have? and did you post your fan switch project?
thanks a lot!!!

Post by **NeilBlanchard** » Sat May 19, 2007 6:57 pm

Hello,

The Al/Cu version is a lot lighter, and works as well, if not better -- maybe because it is lighter and doesn't "lever" as much against the bracket? Another HS to consider is the Thermatake "Max Orb" that is a lot lighter, and probably a better HS -- and it is almost unique: an original idea from Thermaltake!

viewtopic.php?t=40222&highlight=thermaltake

Bluefront · Post by **Bluefront** » Sun May 20, 2007 12:03 am

Here's a link to the 7700 project. Can't tell from the photo, but it might be ok on that board. The NB heatsink may be a tight fit. The ram chips may have to be installed before the heatsink. That heatsink extends almost 25mm over the top edge of the mb, and might hit a closely mounted psu. A Zalman 7000 could be modded the same way, and might fit easier. I suspect any 120mm fan could be modded to fit the 7700. I put the Yate Loon in there because my mount method, decouples the fan. The stock fan is fair...... The al/cu version is the same size, and lighter. I got my 7700 off a close-out pile of heatsinks at the local store.....for $20 or so.

Lt_Dan · Post by **Lt_Dan** » Sun May 20, 2007 12:10 am

good price!
i know it might be a tight fit, but apparently the computer company that builds my comp' says it fits. I as you saw, thought it wouldn't fit.
i wouldn't ming going for the 7000 or 7500 but they didn't have it.
btw, how's the 7500? didn't see a review for it.

Vaiski · Post by **Vaiski** » Sun May 20, 2007 5:30 am

Any thoughts on Thermaltake's Blue/Ruby Orb? I've got NSK2400 and AM2 X2 3600+, and the stock cooler is loud. Orb would be ~20e cheaper than SI-128..