EDIT: CPU cooling

[imported_rod]

Ok. I am planning on doing some overclocking on my system (nothing crazy), and i dont want to go to the trouble or expensive of water cooling. I have an A8N-SLI, and the chipset fan has been getting noisier since the day i got it. It's a 40mm fan, and spins at about 7000rpm idle and over 8000rpm under load (But the chipset never get above 33C).

So, i need to find a good CPU cooler and a good NB cooler.

For the chipset, there are two Zalman coolers i've been looking at, the ZM-NB47J and the ZM-NB32K. Whats the difference. I know the NB32K is newer, but i dont know if it's any better. They're both $10, so obviously cost isn't a factor between these two.



For the CPU, I have a few options. I want something that's quieter and colder than stock cooling. I also don't want it to be too big, as i take my computer to LANs every now and then. I know that if i like my PC on it's side it should be fine, but you haven't seen my driving. So, Im mainly looking at the Zalman CNPS7000B-CU, and the Thermalright XP-90(C).

The zalman 7000B-Cu is AU$60 (US$45) here: http://www.pccasegear.com/prod911.htm
The XP-90 with fan is AU$79 (US$60) here: http://www.pccasegear.com/prod2405.htm
The XP-90C with fan is AU$99 (US$75) here: http://www.pccasegear.com/prod2513.htm
Note: For the Thermalrights, I can choose between a high or low speed 92mm panaflo with RPM monitoring.

So, is the XP-90 33% better than the Zalman? And is the XP-90C 33% better than the XP-90?

Would one of the other similar zalmans be any good in my situation. The 7000-AlCu got some bad reviews, which is why i chose the 7000-Cu. The 7700-Cu seems too heavy, and the 7700-AlCu seems to perform no better than the 7000-Cu.


Im guessing from the usual responses in here that you will all recomend the XP-90, but i just want to know if there are better options?

Also, one other question: how much maintainence do these Heatsinks take? I've heard that the Zalmans need to be cleaned every month or two or they get clogged with dust. Whart about the XP-90, does it require much cleaning?

Thanks All
RoD

EDIT: Just fixed a few spelling mistakes
EDIT2: Decided on NB Cooler (ZM-NB47J), now just for the CPU cooling...

 

[MADMAX23]

CPU Heatsink: I would suggest you the Thermalright Xp-90 or the Xp-120 with a Panaflo fan M1A,H1A or U1A.
I see you can choose between a high speed fan or a low one, choose the high speed fan with no doubt, then you can control its speed through hardware or software like Speedfan, as I do.
There is no difference in performance between the XP-90 (Alu) and the XP-90 Copper. So get the Alu version of the Xp-90, cheaper, lighter and same performance.
nForce4 chipset:The zalman ZM-NB47J with no doubt, the best option. Everybody with ASUS A8N is using this heatsink, including me.

 

[imported_rod]

I was going to go with the NB47J, but when I went to the website of the company i usually buy from, there was the NB32K being advertised as a new Chipset heatsink from Zalman. I was just wondering if it's any better? If not, I"ll gladly go with the NB47J.

Anyway, thats for replying.
RoD

 

[Gerbil333]

The NB47J is superior to the NB32K because it has a greater surface area, therefore, it will cool the nF4 better.

 

[MADMAX23]

Originally posted by: Gerbil333
The NB47J is superior to the NB32K because it has a greater surface area, therefore, it will cool the nF4 better.

Yeah, I have just seen the NB32K, it's the new version of the "old" small northbridge heatsink NB32J.
The NB47J is better then due to its bigger dimensions, it will dissipate heat more efficiently.

 

[imported_rod]

Oh OKay, sweet. NB47J it is then. I wont have any problems fitting it in, will I? I dont have anything directly over it at the moment, but what if I add a second video card?

RoD

 

[Gerbil333]

A second video card won't interfere with it, but a huge cooler on the card in the first PCI-E card will. Don't worry...you'll be able to modify the NB47J if there's a conflict. Check out the massive thread here and at the SilentPCReview.com forums on this topic for more information with pictures.

 

[imported_rod]

OK, cool.

Anyone else have comments on the CPU cooling then?