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Has the heatsink market changed in the past 2 years?

S

stultus

Golden Member
I'm buying a heatsink tomorrow. The last time I was in the heatsink market, Scythe Ninjas and Tuniq Towers were all the rage in the $30-50 club. What are the top performers now?

At the B&M Microcenter I'll be visiting, they sell both of these, but they also sell a bunch of other kinds. Anything in particular I should look for?
 
Thermalright TRUE 120 regular or black editions are your best bet. If you are more interested in peen factor look at the TRUE copper edition. Otherwise, the noctua-u12p, ocz vendetta 2, or xigmatek mentioned above are also good. Be prepared to deal with pushpins with those though.
 
I recommend Zerotherm Nirvana 120, comes with backplate and cools just as well as the tuniq or anything else, apart from the Thermalright TRUE 120 Extreme of course, but thats overpriced for the temp difference.

Also, the Nirvana looks sexy.
 
In reality...I think not much has changed...same style of cooling....heatpipes...high towers of fins...huge fan mounted to side...

 
Originally posted by: videogames101
I recommend Zerotherm Nirvana 120, comes with backplate and cools just as well as the tuniq or anything else, apart from the Thermalright TRUE 120 Extreme of course, but thats overpriced for the temp difference.


Also, the Nirvana looks sexy.
Click to expand...

+1
+1 the nirvana does look "cool"
 
The tuniq 120 is still a great cooler and can be had for cheap with deals now and then so I wouldn't steer clear of it if you see it available for a nice price.
 
On the ZEROtherm Nirvana, could the fan be removed and be able to install a standard 120mm fan between the fin lips ?
 
The best one as has been mentioned is the Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme. Paired with a push/pull system of very high performance fans. Noise can be a factor but it's not necessary to run 2 fans nor 2 super speedy (i.e loud) fans.
 
Originally posted by: JPB
On the ZEROtherm Nirvana, could the fan be removed and be able to install a standard 120mm fan between the fin lips ?
Click to expand...

It's not designed to, no.

(But you probably could find a way to do it, if you were determined)
 
The TRUE is not really in the $30-50 dollar club the OP mentioned.

The HDT coolers like the S1283, core contact freezer, Vendetta 2 + bolt on kit are extremely close to TRUE performance, and beat the TRUE in some reviews. Some say this is due to installation or need to lap the TRUE, whatever. At the very least it says they are close enough to not worry too much about the difference when it's close to $30-40 cheaper after considering you need to buy a fan for the TRUE but not for the others.

If you're overclocking an e7200 it doesn't make sense to spend for a TRUE when you can get a cheaper cooler and that price difference is the delta between an e7200 and a better performing, cooler, better overclocking e8400.
 
Originally posted by: videogames101
Originally posted by: JPB
On the ZEROtherm Nirvana, could the fan be removed and be able to install a standard 120mm fan between the fin lips ?
Click to expand...

It's not designed to, no.

(But you probably could find a way to do it, if you were determined)
Click to expand...

Someone that has the ZEROTherm Nirvana, could you measure the area between the fins and post the width ?

I would really like to know this information.

If there would be a way to make a standard fan fit in there, I am sure the news would pass around the web and increase sales even further :thumbsup:
 
Originally posted by: Concillian
The TRUE is not really in the $30-50 dollar club the OP mentioned.

The HDT coolers like the S1283, core contact freezer, Vendetta 2 + bolt on kit are extremely close to TRUE performance, and beat the TRUE in some reviews. Some say this is due to installation or need to lap the TRUE, whatever. At the very least it says they are close enough to not worry too much about the difference when it's close to $30-40 cheaper after considering you need to buy a fan for the TRUE but not for the others.

If you're overclocking an e7200 it doesn't make sense to spend for a TRUE when you can get a cheaper cooler and that price difference is the delta between an e7200 and a better performing, cooler, better overclocking e8400.
Click to expand...

The Op said "what are the top performers now" so we gave it.

The TRUE isn't that expensive when you consider that it will still work with the i7 since they make a new bracket for it.
 
Originally posted by: JMapleton
Surprized no one mentioned Zalman's coolers.
Click to expand...

Could be, because they don't cool as well as a TRUE and other mentioned, and those run as quiet as a Zalman. Once upon a time they were great, now they are mediocre at best IMO.
 
I had a Zalman at one point. Those built in fans are pretty loud at stock. The tower heatpipe 120mm fan models are both quieter and offer better cooling in my personal experience.
 
Originally posted by: JPB
Originally posted by: videogames101
Originally posted by: JPB
On the ZEROtherm Nirvana, could the fan be removed and be able to install a standard 120mm fan between the fin lips ?
Click to expand...

It's not designed to, no.

(But you probably could find a way to do it, if you were determined)
Click to expand...

Someone that has the ZEROTherm Nirvana, could you measure the area between the fins and post the width ?

I would really like to know this information.

If there would be a way to make a standard fan fit in there, I am sure the news would pass around the web and increase sales even further :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

sure, i'll measure it sometime tonight and pm you.
 
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