Core 2 Extreme replacement heatsink - advice?

[donkeyboy2]

The processor's running at 38 idle - but the noise is intolerable (I assume it's because my motherboard only has a 3-pin fan header for the cpu fan -- none of the settings in the bios reduce the speed). I was looking at the zalman CPNS9500 but I thought I'd check for any first-hand experience or advice first? Quiet is the name of the game -- with the cpu fan disconnected the rest of the computer is barely audible.

I have a GA-965P-DQ6, a core 2 x6800 and a cm stacker 830 (so I've plenty of 120mm fans!). Any opinions would be welcome.

EDIT: I forgot to mention - I saw the zalman heatsink being recommended to other people with core 2 duo processors, but I do worry that the core 2 extreme might produce a bit more heat

 

[RallyMaster]

the zalman will be perfectly fine on a Core 2 Extreme. if you want to go crazy on cooling, do not hesitate to go with the Scythe Infinity.

 

[swinger222]

The zalman CPNS9500 is one of the best around. Not many other air coolers will provide as good performance.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: donkeyboy2
Quiet is the name of the game...

Core 2's don't put out a lot of heat, so practically anything will do, however, if "quiet is the name of the game", get a Scythe Mine 3. These things are dead to the world... You won't even know it's in there! :thumbsup:

Personally. I hate the Mine 3, but it IS quiet!!! And, it keeps my 3.0GHz Northwood at 35C, give or take, so how bad can it be, personal prejudices aside?

 

[donkeyboy2]

Thanks for the advice... do you think the Scythe Mine 3 would keep it cooler than the Zalman (or within a few degrees, anyway)? Why do you dislike it, is it just the size of the thing?

 

[Vertigo0176]

Have you considered Thermaltake's Big Typhoon?

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: donkeyboy2
Thanks for the advice... do you think the Scythe Mine 3 would keep it cooler than the Zalman (or within a few degrees, anyway)? Why do you dislike it, is it just the size of the thing?

To tell you the truth, there isn't a degree (or two) of difference between any of the high-end HSFs, under normal circumstances. Anybody that's been around for a while will tell you the same thing. Sure, extreme overclocking tends to seperate the 'men' from the 'boys', but that's a discussion for another time...

I love the looks, design, craftsmanship, and functionality of the Scythe Mine 3! It's not really that big (just looks that way) -- it's SUPER quiet -- and does a good job of cooling (even better if you replace the OEM 12L fan with the 12H fan).

My bone of contention is with the mounting system! It's VERY stout and rigid -- keeps the HSF from sagging, falling off the retention ring, et cetera -- but, the downside to this is, it's a bish to install! Of course, I have a socket 478 CPU. It might be easier with AMD sockets, and undoubtedly a lot easier with the LGA 775! Plus, the fins are super-sensitive to bending (and, fortunately, unbending)!

Put another way, this is a great, exceedingly quiet HSF, but the mount system requires brute force to lock it down, and if you aren't careful you'll mangle things.