• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Do you agree with my conclusions about heatsinks?

R

raz

Banned
I'm in the buying/planning stage of gethering parts for my next system. Unfortunately, now is the time of year where most of my free time and cash is spent on Christmas...one of the few disadvantages of coming from a large family. 🙂 A plus, though, is that by the time my wallet has recuperated most of the parts will have come down in price a bit. Of all of the parts needed, the heatsink is the one giving me the most problems in making a decision. Go figure. 😱 After finally shaking the "gotta have the best" mentality, I've reached the following conclusions. Undoubtedly, some of you will think, "Duh...that's common knowledge dude." 😉 I had stop thinking that if it costs more it must be better for you to finally see the light.

Conclusion #1 - CPUs have reached speeds that make overclocking strictly something to do for bragging rights. Example: If one runs a 1.2ghz, other than the ability to brag to friends and family, overclocking has no real-world benefits.

Conclusion #2 - As long as the heatsink being used is capable of keeping the CPU cool enough to run stable, investing in one that cools a few degrees more isn't going to be beneficial to non-overclockers. (I'm not sure, but it might increase the lifespan of the CPU. I don't think I'm wrong, however, in thinking that any increase in CPU lifespan wouldn't be an advantage as most users would 'outgrow' the CPU and upgrade well before the end is near.)

Conclusion #3 - Generally speaking, larger heatsinks are more expensive than smaller ones and 80mm fans are more quiet than 60mm fans (with roughly the same amount of airflow). Therefore, for non-overclockers, it makes more sense to buy a smaller heatsink and attach an 80mm fan (Pabst, Panaflo, etc for noise-conscious users) via a 60->80 adapter...assuming the adapter doesn't inhibit airflow within the case to a problematic point.

Does this make sense? Am I missing anything that would make these conclusions false? I didn't want this to be another "What's the best/quietest heatsink?" thread...I'm sure I can make a pretty good decision on my own. I just want to make sure I'm not overlooking anything when I do make a decision. Iwas looking at either the 8045 or the Swiftech...then I saw the price for those bad boys :Q and, because I don't want to take out a second mortgage on my house, I'm looking at alternate cooling solutions. 🙂
 
Well, don't forget to add in the price of the 80-60 adapter, unless youre making it yourself.

The alpha PAL 8045, bare with no fan, is 29.99 from svcompucycle.com, plust shipping. You can add a fan for a coupla bucks more.
 
I think coolermaster are nice, quite, and cheap 🙂 it will heat ur CPU up to the probably max spec..but still safe

great for non-overclockers like yourself

FYI, the junction temp on a K7 core is 90c 🙂



 
I agree with your post. Having a CPU that is marginally faster or a little cooler doesn't show in everyday use.

WRT heatsinks, I always felt that good case ventilation can offset a weaker heatsink. You could have a huge hs and mammoth fan, but if the air just gets swirled around, you won't see a drop in temps. It's like sitting in a car in the sun, windows rolled up, and a bunch of fans stirring the air. I'd much rather introduce an adequate volume of cool air and let the rear fans pull it across the components, and hsf.

People like to brag about 3 things: CPU speed, core temps, and you can guess the third.
 
I agree with your conclusions as well. There is some value, however in considering how the HSF is attached to the mobo as well if you know that you might be needing to remove it once in a while. for instance, the Pal8045 that someone else here mentioned is very difficult to remove once you have the rest of your equipment in place. There is good and bad to that as well, because it means that it won't be as easy to accidentally fall off as well. Just my $0.02.
 
I dont agree with the "Overclocking CPU's has no real world benifit". If your a gamer, every mhz counts, and the more mhz you have, the better your gaming expierence will be.
 
Yes, I agree with your conclusions.

And I will add my opinion/experience.

Stay away from coolermaster, they are cheap, yes, but noisy and not very effective.

I have the PAL8045 with an80mm panaflo , which is very good but together will cost you 50 bucks or so after shipping.
My advice is the WBK68 for $21.50 at THE CARD COOLER, which I also have. It is almost as quiet and effective as PAL/PANAFLO.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't something I was missing.

NelsonMuntz - Good point. I hadn't thought about attachment method. I removed my FOP32 the other night so I could put my chip in another board. When I took it out, I noticed both pads on one side of the chip were worn almost all of the way down while both pads on the other side were hardly worn at all. I'm assuming it was due to the FOP not sitting evenly. Heatsinks with 3/6 clip attachment or screw attachment would probably not have this problem.
 
Yo raz thanks for the enlightenment🙂. I was planning on spending some dough on a good cooler but now I'm thinking that you're right and I don't really need an awesome/expensive cooler. I agree that a few hundred more mhz isn't going to affect games to a great affect on games since video cards are the real bottleneck. Now I'm thinking about getting the SVC golden gate($15) because I've read good reviews of it and they have the option of putting a quiet fan on it. Thanks again.
Scoob
 
I didn't really think the PAL8045 was that easy to install. You have to take the MOBO out entirely to do it. But that wont stop me from using a similarly connecting hsf in the future. Just don't want people to think it's as easy as a tradtional HSF, and those aren't so easy either.
 
my conclusion:
you should buy retail cpu, the price difference is so small now, and the stock HSF is good enough for normal operation, and you have a worry-free 3 years warranty.
 
I agree with your conclusion and that is why I bought a retail 1.2 GHz CPU that came with a HSF for @ $10 more than a OEM at that time.
 
OC'ing is a way of life for others but for the most of us it's stability and making sure we don't have to re-install every 3 days. At any rate, I'm using a Vantec 6035 all copper works great but the 7200RPM fan is a PITA. So I replaced it with a 60MM Panaflo M series. The temp went 2-3 degress from 38 to 40-41 C. At less than $25.00 this is probably the best HSf for the buck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top