7000ALCU vs 7000CU

[Hesseroni]

I'm set on getting a zalman 7000, but does the solid copper HSF offer that much more performance over the half aluminum half copper one?

 

[Nickel020]

According to silentpcreview.com and several other sites there is no difference at all. I actually haven't seen a review that says the Cu is better than the AlCu

 

[Hesseroni]

Cool, I didn't really want to get the Cu anyway, because it weighs like 300g(granted that's not all that much) more than the ALCu, and I'm not too keen on having a super heavy HSF, because I think the last one I had messed up my mobo.

 

[Travis6586]

I'm not sure how much of a difference the pure copper version differs performance-wise from the Aluminum/Copper heatsink, but from my personal experience, the pure copper design has not been a problem with the extra weight. My Pentium 4 3.0C is overclocked to 3.3 GHz, and still manages to run idle at 30° C and at 45° under load.

Maybe someone with the Aluminum/Copper heatsink can add some insight with their temperatures to compare the two. I think you'll be happy with either!

 

[Zap]

I've had both. Weight was not a problem, nor was temperature with either. The main difference for me was $10. These days I would choose to save $10. Besides, the AlCu version is shinier. The all copper one starts to look dingy after a while.

 

[Hesseroni]

yeah shiny is good too.

 

[MDE]

My P4 3.2C @ 3.6 runs 54C full load (case temp 37C) on an Abit IS7 in an Antec Sonata with the AlCu version at nearly full speed (~2400 RPM).

 

[tphss]

AlCu is the better option out of the two...
No cooling performance loss over the Cu model, and much lighter.

 

[Hesseroni]

cool

 

[subman]

I have the all CU version and I live in the tropics in a coastal city where the humidity levels are high. Within 3 months of installing the 7000 cu it started to flake - it was snowing copper flakes inside my case - there were thousands of small copper pieces all over the display and sound cards as well as the mother board - if I blew on or brushed the copper fins of the heat sink the flakes would fly out literally like snow. I had no choice but to remove the heat sink and wash and brush it thoroughly and the result was that in one week the heat sink has turned a dull pink with the horrible green fungal looking patches.

I also have a Thermalright all copper SK6 heat sink which I have not used for a few years and even this has turned dull and has the green patches - but no flaking from this heat sink.