Best fanless heatsink for LGA 775 Intel Core 2 Duo, $30-$60?

[k3n]

While re-installing windows on a family members' computer, I discovered alot of heat emanating from the airvents. Turns out the fan on Zalman heatsink just stopped working after 7+ years of use. If I were guess-timate, the heatsink fan's probably been out for over 6+ months. Thankfully the 80mm case fan on the side, had been pushing air almost directly infront of the CPU/Mobo's northbridge area, did a decent job as back up.

The Zalman HSF (with the rounded coils) is similar to this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-223-_-Product

Thankfully it's made of copper, so as long as 3d games weren't played, the computer was barely functioning without too much hiccup.

Since it's used by family members who have little to no interest in learning how a pc works or is maintained, I'd like to just go ahead and get a fanless heatsink. I know newegg, doesn't offer all products from brands out here, so I'd figure i'd ask fellow AT members for suggestions of the most reliable brand with price taken into consideration.

If the heatsink comes with a fan that's fine, but I'd still like it to have the ability to keep the temps low, if its fan will fail for whatever reason. Again the the ATX case, thankfully has an 80mm fan slot on the side. I removed the one the top of the case, due to lack of space: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811144025

I'm willing to get one that refurbished as well.

 

[Seba]

Up to $60 for a Core 2 Duo HSF?

Either improvise something with a new fan for the current heathsink (in case that you can not find a fan that fits inside the heatsink), or put the money into a platform upgrade. You can buy a Celeron Haswell G1840 cheaper than that (~$45).

 

[VirtualLarry]

What CPU and TDP are we talking about here? Most C2D / C2Q CPUs have too high a TDP to run passively, and even if you did, you would need better case airflow than just one 80mm fan.

I think that you should re-think the solution.

I vote for just buying a (new) stock 775 Intel heatsink off of ebay and replace it when the fan dies. Or stock up on a few of them if you find them cheap, in case they get scarce in the future.

Single $7:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Origina...?pt=US_CPU_Fans_Heatsinks&hash=item35bb0f6665

Five-pack $32:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Pack-New-...?pt=US_CPU_Fans_Heatsinks&hash=item4d0bb44e9c

 

[Blain]

Most C2D / C2Q CPUs have too high a TDP to run passively, and even if you did, you would need better case airflow than just one 80mm fan.

I think that you should re-think the solution.

Words of wisdom.

 

[Cerb]

Fanless would be a project unto itself, not merely a parts replacement. Been there, done that, revisited it after upgrades; several times, now, and am about to do it yet again, in a matter of days.

I know of several possible heatsinks, and have one spare, even, but that case is rather shallow, and the heatsinks that can do the job are all tall. Plus, in a case like that, you would need to be a cable tie down nazi, to make it work (I say this from experience, having passively cooled my old C2D in an Antec NSK4xxx--cables hanging in front of the mobo, around the drive cages, v. carefully tied down to the side of the case, makes a huge difference).

Going new, I'd buy this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134
Note the promo code. That cooler should outlast the rest of the system, for $18 AP.

 

[fleshconsumed]

If you have to have fanless, Scythe Ninja will probably work the best.

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?p=FAN-NINJA3

Your parents case has 120mm exhaust fan which should provide enough residual airflow to run the heatsink fanless. That "grill" on the back looks super restrictive though, so I'd cut it out with dremel or tin snips first.

That said, I think $50 is still a tad too much to spent on an old C2D rig. Scythe Ninja is a really good heatsink that works wonder in passive configuration which is why I said if you have to have fanless. If you just need quiet, then go with the Artic Cooling suggestion above for $18, or splurge a little and get CoolerMaster 212 for $35. I doubt your parents stress the CPU hard enough for the fan to spin up so most of the time Arctic Cooling is going to stay really quiet.

 

[Cerb]

If you have to have fanless, Scythe Ninja will probably work the best.

The Ninja needs 160mm all by itself. Will it fit, with the case being only about 190mm total width? It might, but I'd take a ruler to it, first, because many cases of about that width will just barely not fit it. That Antec NSK was not my first case choice, merely all I could grab at the time that was wide enough for my Ninja and the side panel, and then just I never saw fit to change it.

 

[Zardnok]

I was going to recommend a ThermalRight HR-02 Macho until I saw you had case size limitations. If it would fit, it would definitely be the best passive HS available.

http://www.amazon.com/Thermalright-M...malright+Macho

Why not try to replace the fan on the Zalman? It doesn't have to be pretty, but a 120mm fan and a couple of wire ties would solve the problem and cost $10. Or if it is a 92mm fan, try one of those. You can buy a nicer fan to reduce noise.

 

[AntonioHG]

Strap on method, lol, is the cheapest. I personally spend a good bit of money on a quality heatsink so I don't have to worry about the fan going down and making the system unstable. Girlfriend's mom has a fairly tame 1155 build with an NH-U12 and one case fan. She doesn't like to clean the PC and with a cat, well you can imagine. It hasn't gone haywire in the two years I built it.

I guess if you had the money to spend, it would be worth it to get an HR-02 Macho or D14 (used) if they'll fit or an NH-U12S.

Not like heatsinks go bad after use so over time, so it'll pay for itself and if you upgrade the PC you can reuse the heatsink for a new build.

 

[fleshconsumed]

The Ninja needs 160mm all by itself. Will it fit, with the case being only about 190mm total width? It might, but I'd take a ruler to it, first, because many cases of about that width will just barely not fit it. That Antec NSK was not my first case choice, merely all I could grab at the time that was wide enough for my Ninja and the side panel, and then just I never saw fit to change it.

Good point. I believe it should fit though as long as OP removes the side panel fan.