A few questions about the Thermalright SLK heatsinks...

[Impulse2k]

I have a few questions regarding the Thermalright SLK series heatsinks and the DFI NF2 Ultra LanParty motherboard:

1) According to the Thermalright website, the SLK heatsinks are for AMD 2800+ processors and above. I'm getting a Barton 2500+ and plan to overclock, will I be able to use these heatsinks with it?

2) I've heard that the DFI NF2 Ultra LanParty motherboard doesn't support some larger heatsinks because it lacks the necessary mounts. I think the LanParty has 2 mounts, but some heatsinks require 4. So what's the largest heatsink in the SLK series that will fit on to the LanParty?

3) What is the best fan to use in conjunction with the heatsink from question #2? I want a fan with a good balance between cooling power and low noise.

Thanks.

 

[MichaelD]

When a manufacturer says "supports XP2500 and above" what they mean is that this particular heatsink is able to cool something that runs as hot as a XP2500 and above. Using it on a lesser processor would be a GOOD thing.

Kind of like you can bench press 250 pounds, maximum, so benchpressing 200 pounds is easy for you. Get it?

I am not familiar with the DFI board, but I know what you are asking.

The SLK family comes in two flavors the "U" and the "A". The U family requires the four mounting holes in the mobo around the CPU socket to secure the HS to the board. The A family uses a 3-prong clip to attach the HS to the mobo/cpu socket.

If the DFI does not have the holes, just get the "A" version. They just released an A version of the Big Mutha SLK900.

Good luck.

*edit*
If you plan on overclocking your Barton, I'd get an SK-7 minimum, with a medium speed fan. Preferably and SLK800 or 900 with a lower speed fan.

 

[Impulse2k]

Thanks for your help, Michael, it's greatly appreciated.

It appears the SLK-900 comes with a 92mm stock fan, I've heard that buying a retail fan provides much better cooling. Do I have to buy a certain type of fan that's designed to be used with a heatsink? Or can I use any ordinary case fan? Does the SLK-900 only support 92mm fans? If not, what size fan is better, smaller or larger?

Thanks again.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Impulse2k
Thanks for your help, Michael, it's greatly appreciated.

It appears the SLK-900 comes with a 92mm stock fan, I've heard that buying a retail fan provides much better cooling. Do I have to buy a certain type of fan that's designed to be used with a heatsink? Or can I use any ordinary case fan? Does the SLK-900 only support 92mm fans? If not, what size fan is better, smaller or larger?

Thanks again.

Your welcome. It makes me happy to "share the wealth"; that's what AT is about. Many, many folks have helped me out; it feels good to return the favor.


SLK-900A info The SLK800 and 900 both support all sizes of fans (92MM on SLK900 only), allowing you to use whatever you want. You can use any 80mm case fan you want. The idea behind stepping up to a larger HS is to allow you to use a quiet 80mm fan as opposed to a 60mm hairdryer. I dislike noisy PCs that sound like a hovercraft. Nice and quiet is the ticket. Take a look at the link; you can see the different holes in the HS which allow you to repostition the little brackets that hold on the different size fans.

If getting the 900, I'd go with a slow 92mm fan. Something that flows around 24-32 CFM or so.

 

[rommelrommel]

92mm fit on SLK-800 as well with not much effort...

 

[Impulse2k]

I think I'll go with a Vantec Stealth fan then... nice and quiet and at 28 CFM it's right in the middle of the range you suggested. http://svc.com/vantec.html

 

[Blooz1]

That combination will work well if you're not planning any heavy overclocking.

I used a Stealth on my 800a until I cranked up the volts on my processor and needed more airflow, so I switched to a Panaflo H1A. I couldn't hear the Stealth at all outside the case.

 

[screw3d]

If you are overclocking, then I'll suggest going for something with higher airflow. Since no one's mentioned it yet, two of the most popular 80mm fans people use here are the YStech variable speed fan and the Thermaltake Smartfan II.

Both fans would allow you to adjust the fan speed and thus enable you to crank it up whenever you need it.

Not much idea bout 92mm's though, but good choice on the SLK series!

Good luck.

 

freaking get the zalma 7000 series take off the fan on the heatsink. buy their BR - something something bracket and slap on a 120mm fan and ur all set. I suggest Evercool, quiet and powerful