Athlon64 Heatsink

[Malicah]

I am about to purchase an Athlon64 3000+ and I have been searching around for a good cooling solution.

Basically, I need something that can do pretty extreme cooling as i do plan to overclock and my computer is generally in a pretty warm environment already. I would also prefer for something pretty quiet as well.

So basically I need a few recommendations and maybe some good reviews. Price is not a big problem, as long as its somewhat resonable, and I am also willing to use water cooled or whatever else may be out there.

 

[DyslexicHobo]

Look for the ThermalTake Silent Tower. I hear the XP-90 is the best, but I've never tried it out myself.

The TT Silent Tower is quieter than my hard drives at low RPMs, but high RPMs it's kind of noisy.

Just make sure you have the Cool & Quiet option enabled and you'll be fine.

 

[Nickel020]

I wouldn't get the Thernaltake Silent Tower. The version with the copper fins (exactly the same as the aluminium fin version, except for copper fins and twice the weight, according to TT's website) is worse than an Aerocool HT-101 (of which it is a copy), the Thermalright SP-97/94, the Zalman 7000 AlCu and of course the Thermalright XP-90 and XP-120. The CoolerMaster Hyper 6 is also very good but is very heavy and comes with a bad stock fan.
The Thermalright XP-120 is currently by far the best heatsink, everyone will tell you that. Before buying it, make sure it's gonna fit your motherboard (Thermalright.com). The next best thing is the XP-90 which will fit just about every mobo. If you're short on money get the Zalman 7000 AlCu for about $30. Comes with a fan controller and is kind of the "standard silencing hsf". Don't bother with the 7000 Cu, it's not better.

And welcome to the forums!

 

[Malicah]

I'm not sure I want to get the XP-120. I have heard quite a few complaints about its size and whatnot. plus it doesn't support the motherboard I am getting (Epox EP-9NDA3+).

I haven't heard anyone talk about water cooled cases, are they a bad road to go down or what?

 

[Nickel020]

Water cooling is expensive and sucks when you carry your case around. And since you're getting a 3000+ I guess you don't have the bucks to go with watercooling. Watercooling starts at about $150.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

If I was going to buy a HS today I would get the coolermaster hyper 6. Right now I have a zalman 7000A alcu. It works good and looks cool, but I would like it to cool a little better.

 

[MDE]

I'd use the stock heatsink. If you're not overclocking turn on Cool n Quiet and the fan is almost inaudible.
For overclocking, I have the Zalman on my P4 and it does a good job.