Help a noob choose a HSF! Earn karma points!

[Rahl03]

New rig

Antec knock off case with 4 case fans (loud)
GA-8INXP
p4 2.4ghz (b0 stepping )
2x 256 PC2700 samsung
ti 4600
Enermax 430w PSU

CPU Idle temp 35 C
CPU Max Load 57-60C :Q

Case temps 25 C (never budges, ever.)

Obviously these temperatures are well within spec, however, I want feel more comfortable about the longevity of this system, as I already have it overclocked to 156 fsb. I'd like to get my max temps down to the ~50 C range with a HSF that's not louder than the retail intel HSF. I've looked at numerous reviews and I'm still confused. I swear there must be 300+ HSF's available for the P4 on the market =P. I've been looking at the thermaltake spark 7, but it is kind of pricey, and I'm unsure about the noise on it. Any recommendations or comments would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[ChampionAtTufshop]

havnt heard of spark 7.....volcano 7/7+ yeah

7+ is actually not bad...comes with a 3 speed fan as wel

but id probably say alpha pal8942 or swiftech mcx478 is the best
slap on any 80mm fan you like, and it should be able to handle it quite nicely

for the retail fan....did you use the pad or take it off and apply as2/as3?

 

[Rahl03]

Spark 7

I thought that volcanos were AMD?

gonna look into the alpha, seems like it comes highly recommended. What fan would you recommend?


as for the retail HSF, yeah I was lazy and just left the pad on.. come to think of it, that's going to be a b!#(h to get off =P

I'll be sure to order some AS3 with whatever cooler i go with

 

[ChampionAtTufshop]

7+ comes with hardware for both amd and p4's

for me noise doesnt really matter lol
id get a 68cfm delta comin in at about 48dBa
but most ppl dont want a vacuum cleaner heatsink lol

if you get the 7+, it comes wtih an adjustable fan (well 3 speeds) and at low its silent...med is about normal...high gets to sound like a vacuum haha

maybe get thermaltake smart fan2 as it comes with a rheostat where you can adjust the fan from a very high speed to pretty much silent based on your preference
or it also comes with a thermal probe, so it adjusts automagic

or any other adjustable fan if you want

if you take off the pad, and put some as3 on there, it would probably reduce the temps ...perhaps down to levels that you liek

hte best thing to use for pads, ive read, is either light fluid or goof off....then clean with 90%+ isopropyl

 

[OulOat]

All of the volcano series are loud. In the specs Thermaltake claims the Smart Fan @ the lowest speed is quieter than a panaflo, but when I got mine I could tell right away that it was couple times louder. You are better off with the Alpha with any low RPM fan.

 

[Rahl03]

alpha is $$$!! :Q

hehe just the same I might shell out. I assume the alpha is designed for low CFM use? What's the minimum I can get away with and still get better than stock performance? What do you guys think of Enermax's 80mm fans? Where is a good/cheap place to purchase all this stuff?

SORRY for all the questions, 10 karma points for all

 

[RalfHutter]

Karma points? Cool!

I'd go with the Alpha 8942 with a Panaflo M1A or L1A on it. Them M1A should be plenty of cooling and you may even be able to get away withthe L!A. Maybe look at the Ys-tech adjustable to go on that heatsink also. That way you can dial in the cooling vs. noise that you're most comfortable with.

I'd stay away from those TT setups, they're pretty noisey for the cooling you get out of them.

You might also think about replacing those stock case fans with four Panaflo L1As or four of those 18cfm NMBs from SVC.com. Either of those setups will give you plenty of cooling and be much quieter than the stock fans.

 

[Rahl03]

sweet, I just ordered the alpha, the YS variable speed 80mm, and some AS3 from SVC.com!
They seem to be a really good site, they're the only ones with free shipping on the 3 oz artic silver!

Thanks for all the help guys, I can't wait till the goodies get here hehe. mad karma for all