Advice please - Need good P4 cooler

[LouPoir]

Been using the standard Intel HSF. But want to get my temps down 3-5deg C. Looking for a cooler that fits the standard mount and is no more than $40. Tried AVC sunflower and a few others.

I overclock and need a little extra cooling.

LMK

Lou

 

[ChampionAtTufshop]

isnt avc sunflower the retail heatsink?

anyways, have you thought about the ones that screw onto mobo?
alpha pal8942, swiftech mcx4000/mcx478?

 

[gooseman]

I just ordered a vantec aeroflow. I've heard really good things about them. Also, heard great things about the alpha 8942.

 

[everman]

I bought a "Arctic Cooling Super Silent 4 TC" from SVC a while ago for my linux server running a celeron 1.8. It definitly is "super silent" as I can barely hear it, so it's great imo.

 

[wicktron]

Originally posted by: gooseman
I just ordered a vantec aeroflow. I've heard really good things about them. Also, heard great things about the alpha 8942.

Vantec AeroFlow rocks!

 

[Duvie]

Lou, get the alpha and a good 80mm fan capable of near 50cfm with 3600 or less rpm and it should be mild noise....

Check out my temps with my system 2.4b@3.2ghz w/ 1.63v....39c idle/50c load....

I hit the limit of my avc sunflower back when I ran my 1.6@2.66 w/ 1.66v...it would do 42c idle / 57c load....

Then I got a POS thermaltake volcano with copper core....1.6@2.66 w/ 1.66v it got 44c idle and 64c load...Heck I could have put the retail hsf on and done that....

Got alpha and ys tech 80mm adjustable fan and I ran 1.6@2.74 w/ 1.71v and I did 39c idle / 51c load


All on the same epox 4bda mobo with same case cooling method...

 

[ChunkyBarf]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I also am curious in the same area as LouPoir. This post has been very informative.

Thanks again and good luck overclocking,
ChunkyBarf

 

[THUGSROOK]

alpha PAL

 

[human2k]

Originally posted by: THUGSROOK
alpha PAL

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Another vote for the AeroFlow, you don't sound like your squeezing every iota of O/C from your rig so it'll be more than sufficent, is 1000 times easier to install than the Alpha, and is only $23.95 +S&H

 

[wicktron]

AeroFlow!
Check out the rankings here: http://www.overclockers.com/articles373/
Only the CoolerMaster and Alpha beat out the Aeroflow. However, both heatsinks carry noisy fans! This means the AeroFlow has the perfect combination of price/performance/noise!

 

[LouPoir]

Got the Alpha on the way. Will let you know how it works.

As usual, you folks have been a tremendous help.

Lou

 

[lenjack]

my vote for the aeroflow. Just got it...lowered idle 4C and prime 95C. No added noise.

 

[Punchy]

Where did you guys get your Alphas? Also, do you need to remove the motherboard in order to mount it (P4PE)? Thanks

 

[LouPoir]

Cheapest for the Alpha is SVC.

Lou

 

[Valvoline6]

I have both the Alpha and the Aeroflow. I am sticking with the Aeroflow, it's much easier to install and remove if you want to swap processors. The Alpha has some standoffs which require you to remove the motherboard if you install after completeing your build. You CAN remove the heatsink after that, but many times it causes the "nuts" underneath the board to come loose too. If that happens- time to remove the mobo again. arrrrggggghhhh :| It is an excellent heatsink, and at 80mm allowed me to add a cool quad LED fan. The Alpha runs 1* cooler than the Aeroflow.

The Aeroflow provides great cooling and a nicely designed 70mm YS Tech TMD fan. The fan has no center motor- allowing better airflow over the heatsink than a standard fan. The fan I got has some quirks. It has a "cold boot" issue. LOL Sometimes it doesn't run on the first boot. After that it runs all day and night.. I heard YS Tech fixed the fan issues. Gonna see if they will send me a new one. The heatsink is easy to remove / install and looks nice in my case. 1* more is worth the convenience and ease of use.

BTW I got both heatsinks at SVC.

 

[THUGSROOK]

does the aeroflo use the stock plastic retainer?
or is it 100% metal like the alpha?

<EDIT> found a pic ~ yea it uses the plastic retainer
was gonna try one, but not now.

 

[slag]

I think you'll find the zalman 6500cu rocks with a good fan on it.

all copper, heavy, but good design, and its easily removable for when you take your pc to lan tourneys.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: THUGSROOK
does the aeroflo use the stock plastic retainer?
or is it 100% metal like the alpha?

<EDIT> found a pic ~ yea it uses the plastic retainer
was gonna try one, but not now.

What you talkin' 'bout thugs? Plastic retainer

EDIT: Ahh, you mean it hooks into the plastic mount on the board, correct? Why is that so terrible?

 

[THUGSROOK]

the plastic thing on the motherboard that hold the cooler on ~ they break.

just ask oldfart

 

[DAPUNISHER]

The way this one mounts to it I think it's much more secure than the stock. I've already remounted mine 3 or 4 times with complete ease and superfast too You know since you already have the alpha it is a small step down so probably not worth the time for you

 

[Punchy]

Ordered an Alpha Pal8942, a Zalman 39cfm fan, and som Arctic Silver 3 last night from SVC. Just got an e-mail saying that it is on its way!!! I can't wait to see if I'll be able to break the 3.0 Ghz barrier with decent temps..........

 

[oldfart]

Originally posted by: THUGSROOK
the plastic thing on the motherboard that hold the cooler on ~ they break.

just ask oldfart

Yes, they can break! One of the square holes in mine where the hook grabs into broke open. What a pain. Thanks to a very nice member here hmsrolst, I was able to get one the next day to get my rig running again.