HS/F combo for around $50 (+$10)

[jaeSun]

Buying my X2 4400+ OEM, so need HS/F combo...getting AS5 also ....

but average price for retail is about $50 more....

so looking for a good HS/F combo for roughly that, and maybe $10 more max (incl shipping) ......

what do you guys think of these:

1. http://www.frozencpu.com/cpu-swi-10.html

2. http://www.frozencpu.com/cpu-zal-14.html

3. http://www.frozencpu.com/cpu-tta-25.html (no fan?! and HUGE)

4. http://www.frozencpu.com/cpu-tri-22.html (with a cheap fan?)

was recommended ^, but then to get a fan with it, well, pushing $70 .....

what you guys think?

i dont think i want the huge one that uses no fan (3)...its just, big!

are the 2's ok? not sure how the design works and all....

1 and 4 seems like best options (unless 2 is a good option). i like 4, but most expensive combo.

what is 1 made out of? aluminum? which is better for cooling, copper?

 

[Mrvile]

1. The Swiftech is nice but it's old, and it's only 80mm which will be limiting.
2. Recommended. Zalman's 7000 and 7700 series are great hsf's, they cool well and they're quiet.
3. No way. You can get smaller, lighter, better looking hsf's for less, and they cool better as well. I would even get the Swiftech over this pos.
4. Another recommended one. However that one is pretty expensive, why don't you get the aluminum one instead? You can get it for like 40 bucks. And with this you'll want a Panaflo 92mm fan.

I'd recommend either the Zalman or Thermalright XP-90 aluminum. Both cool very well, are made by top-of-the-line companies, and are within your budget.

EDIT: Oh sorry didn't see your other questions.

First, don't even consider the Thermaltake hsf.

The Zalman (2) is one of the best hsf's out there, it's a perfect choice.

Like I said, the XP-90 (4) is a great choice, and even in aluminum it cools extremely well. Another one of the best hsf's around.

The Swiftech (1) is made out of aluminum. Aluminum is cheaper and light, but doesn't cool as well as copper. However the cooling difference is barely noticeable, and an aluminum Thermalright XP-90 with a 92mm fan cools better than the huge copper Thermaltake thing with two 120mm fans. Build quality is more important that what it's made out of.

 

[bREwIn dOdgEr dUDe]

under $60 with tax (if in CA), and shipping... at newegg... cool & quiet, check zalman website for compatible mobos...


zalman7700cu

 

[jaeSun]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
1. The Swiftech is nice but it's old, and it's only 80mm which will be limiting.
2. Recommended. Zalman's 7000 and 7700 series are great hsf's, they cool well and they're quiet.
3. No way. You can get smaller, lighter, better looking hsf's for less, and they cool better as well. I would even get the Swiftech over this pos.
4. Another recommended one. However that one is pretty expensive, why don't you get the aluminum one instead? You can get it for like 40 bucks. And with this you'll want a Panaflo 92mm fan.

I'd recommend either the Zalman or Thermalright XP-90 aluminum. Both cool very well, are made by top-of-the-line companies, and are within your budget.

EDIT: Oh sorry didn't see your other questions.

First, don't even consider the Thermaltake hsf.

The Zalman (2) is one of the best hsf's out there, it's a perfect choice.

Like I said, the XP-90 (4) is a great choice, and even in aluminum it cools extremely well. Another one of the best hsf's around.

The Swiftech (1) is made out of aluminum. Aluminum is cheaper and light, but doesn't cool as well as copper. However the cooling difference is barely noticeable, and an aluminum Thermalright XP-90 with a 92mm fan cools better than the huge copper Thermaltake thing with two 120mm fans. Build quality is more important that what it's made out of.

i was also recommended the XP-90 aluminum, and with the same remarks....barely any difference...

was also recommended to just get the retail, but i been patient enough with waiting for the X2's to just be released, and its much more... can get a HS/F upgrade for almost free .....

so now its between the 2 and 4 ...

i think i get the alum 4 ....

is this fan ok:

http://www.frozencpu.com/fan-112.html ?

though, on the HS page, says its a 92MM fan, but page itself says 90mm ... so I guess I should go with the 92mm panaflow instead?

i noticed the recommended fan (panaflow)

http://www.frozencpu.com/fan-83.html

says the connector is untailed? what does that mean? (most say 3-pin or with 4-pin cnnector)

lastly, should i get "FrozenCPU Deluxe Heatsink Lapping Kit" ? worth it?

thanks

 

[Mrvile]

lol @ the Thermaltake fan...

Actually, there's no difference between 90mm and 92mm...it's just what different manufacturers like to use. I wouldn't get the Thermaltake fan though because they're known to have really gimmicky stuff, not to mention that that fan is expensive as hell. Get the Panaflo, it's what most people use.

As for the tail and no tail, basically you pick out if you want it to hook up to your motherboard or PSU. I'd get the 3-pin to motherboard because it allows you to change the speed of the fan if it's too loud. 12.50 for that Panaflo fan isn't bad, FrozenCPU is a nice retailer too.

And as for lapping, enthusiasts lap their hsf's, no one else really. It doesn't give you that much gain, maybe a degree. Lapping is easy but I wouldn't say it's worth it, especially if you have to pay for it.

 

[jaeSun]

ya, panaflow it is! i just like to have things match, and im picky like that sometimes, but not enough to sacrifice usability and performance and all.

thanks! order has now been placed.....

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: jaeSun
ya, panaflow it is! i just like to have things match, and im picky like that sometimes, but not enough to sacrifice usability and performance and all.

thanks! order has now been placed.....

Nice choice, I used the XP-90 with that same fan before I switched to water, and I loved it. Works great, cools really well.

But I noticed that my fan was a bit loud. Download Speedfan if you want and you can adjust the speed of any fans plugged into the motherboard. Turn it down to about 80% and it's a lot quieter.

Good luck!

 

[milleron]

The Zalman 7000 and 7700 are great units, but they're extremely heavy in their all-copper versions. If I got one of those, I'd opt for the AlCu versions (as you mentioned). I'm not sure how much heat the X2s will generate, but if I were going to get one of them now, I'd limit my HSF choices to a Zalman 7700 AlCu or a Thermalright XP120. I think that the only reason to consider the XP90 or the 7000 right now would be size, but if the 7700 and XP120 would fit your case, IMHO those units should be at the top of your list. The 120mm fans will give better cooling AND produce less noise. The XP120 is also LIGHTER than the Zalman, so if you're going to be moving the computer around much the weight is a consideration. The XP120 can be had right now for $43 at ParagonCA.com, but you do have to purchase a good 120mm fan separately, and that would bring the price to around US$53 plus S&H. For me, it was a difficult choosing between the two, but I finally opted for the XP120. Were it available, the Zalman 9500 would have been my clear winner, but you can't find them for sale yet.

 

[jaeSun]

will keep that in mind. even thinking about getting the highoutput fan. its only $1 more, so don't think it be bad to have it. and with the speedfan, I can adjust accordingly.

offtopic: i wonder how dynamat (forgot name. the sound dampers you can put in cars) would work in a computer, LOL

 

[fatty4ksu]

I bought the Zalman's 7000 for my x2 4200

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: jaeSun
will keep that in mind. even thinking about getting the highoutput fan. its only $1 more, so don't think it be bad to have it. and with the speedfan, I can adjust accordingly.

offtopic: i wonder how dynamat (forgot name. the sound dampers you can put in cars) would work in a computer, LOL

They actually make pads that you can put in your comp case to dampen sound, you can get them at FrozenCPU I believe. I dunno how they work I don't have any sound dampening in my case.

 

[jaeSun]

buying the 120mm with the XP120 is $21 more total at frozencpu .....

is the extra $20 worth to take the step up ?

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: jaeSun
buying the 120mm with the XP120 is $21 more total at frozencpu .....

is the extra $20 worth to take the step up ?

Depends. First, tell us what motherboard you're using (there are some motherboards, like mine, that don't fit the XP-120). Also, are you planning on overclocking much? If you want to spend every last penny to get the most out of your CPU, the XP-120 is definately a good choice. But then again, 70 - 80 bucks is a lot to be spending on an hsf. I'd say you get about 3 to 5 degrees difference between the 120 and the 90. It's ultimately up to you.

 

[jaeSun]

DFI LanParty nF4 SLI-DR .

I have a big enough case(super tower).

at first, I do not plan on OC'n . but I probably will be, but not enough to make me go WaterCooling.

 

[Ike0069]

XP-90 w/Panaflo fan.
$33 at jab-tech.com with fan.

 

[jaeSun]

wow, that certainly makes it hard to go with the 120! hmmm

 

[milleron]

Originally posted by: jaeSun
wow, that certainly makes it hard to go with the 120! hmmm

It does? The XP120 with Panaflo at jab-tech is $65. Still, that's the one I'd get if I were considering overclocking an X2. You could get the combo for about $10 less at ParagonCA.com, but it would always be more expensive than the XP90. I just don't see the logic of scrimping and trying to save a measly $28 on cooling when you're thinking of overclocking a $650 CPU. In other words, any enthusiast who can afford an Athlon 64 X2, should not be agonizing over which HSF to buy. Get a Zalman 7700 or Thermalright XP120 and be done with it.

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: milleron

Originally posted by: jaeSun
wow, that certainly makes it hard to go with the 120! hmmm

It does? The XP120 with Panaflo at jab-tech is $65. Still, that's the one I'd get if I were considering overclocking an X2. You could get the combo for about $10 less at ParagonCA.com, but it would always be more expensive than the XP90. I just don't see the logic of scrimping and trying to save a measly $28 on cooling when you're thinking of overclocking a $650 CPU. In other words, any enthusiast who can afford an Athlon 64 X2, should not be agonizing over which HSF to buy. Get a Zalman 7700 or Thermalright XP120 and be done with it.

Hmm, good deal on the XP120. I've seen it at that price without a fan...

But you're kind of missing the point. When you overclock, you only overclock to as much as your system can handle, heatwise and voltagewise. Unless you're crazy, you're never gonna go over.

So why is it safer to get an XP-120 than an XP-90? There's really no logic behind that, because if you can go to 2.5 on an XP-90 and 2.6 on an XP-120, you're only going to go up to 2.5, because that's as much as it can handle. And you're not going to go over.

You can't say that getting the XP-120 is safer than getting the XP-90. There are people using the stock hsf, does that mean it's dangerous? No! As long as it's kept under a very high limit, it's safe.

Although I see what you're saying if you plan on overclocking the CPU, remember, he'll know when to stop pushing the clock, no matter what hsf he's using.

See what I'm trying to say? I have nothing against the XP-120, I would've gotten it myself if it fit my motherboard, but looking at cooling like that is like folding a 2/7 offsuit, and when the board comes 2/7/7 you saying "I shoulda played that hand!"

.2

 

[KoolDrew]

If your overclocking get a Xp-90 with 92mm fan. If not get the Zalman because of how quiet it is.

 

[JBDan]

The xp120 will get you cooler than the xp90 by 2-4 degrees, but the key is at a LOWER DBA. The 120 is awesome. The 90 is very good. If you care about noise and want the best air cooler go xp120. Thermalrights products are mint* g-Luck

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Do a search for Panaflo on the cases/cooling section - i wrote a review on it.

 

[KoolDrew]

You ahve to remember the XP-120 is not compatible with all motherboards. With soem it just blocks some things so I would check with that or just get an XP-90. With the Panaflo fan there will be little difference betweent he two and the XP-90 is much cheaper.

 

[JBDan]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
You ahve to remember the XP-120 is not compatible with all motherboards. With soem it just blocks some things so I would check with that or just get an XP-90. With the Panaflo fan there will be little difference betweent he two and the XP-90 is much cheaper.

Mobo compatability is an issue for some, but again, if your mobo supports it, the *difference* between the xp90 and xp120 is NOISE. You can cool the same or better with the xp120 at a much quieter noise level. *EDIT-- its $55 @ the egg

 

[milleron]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
Hmm, good deal on the XP120. I've seen it at that price without a fan...

But you're kind of missing the point. When you overclock, you only overclock to as much as your system can handle, heatwise and voltagewise. Unless you're crazy, you're never gonna go over.

So why is it safer to get an XP-120 than an XP-90? There's really no logic behind that, because if you can go to 2.5 on an XP-90 and 2.6 on an XP-120, you're only going to go up to 2.5, because that's as much as it can handle. And you're not going to go over.

You can't say that getting the XP-120 is safer than getting the XP-90. There are people using the stock hsf, does that mean it's dangerous? No! As long as it's kept under a very high limit, it's safe.

Although I see what you're saying if you plan on overclocking the CPU, remember, he'll know when to stop pushing the clock, no matter what hsf he's using.

See what I'm trying to say? I have nothing against the XP-120, I would've gotten it myself if it fit my motherboard, but looking at cooling like that is like folding a 2/7 offsuit, and when the board comes 2/7/7 you saying "I shoulda played that hand!"

.2

Gee, NOwhere in my post did I say anything at all about the XP120 being "safer." I've no idea where you got that idea.

It's just that it's clearly a better heatsink than the XP90 because it cools better and, at the same time, it's quieter -- win/win! For overclocking, as the original poster did say he's thinking of doing, it would simply lessen the chance that overheating would limit the overclocking. Also, a CPU that runs cooler is more stable and will last longer. My main point is that when one is spending US$650 for a CPU [wow!!], he is most definitely not on a limited budget, and there is no logical reason to agonize over $25 on the heatsink. Simply get the best one available and move on to more important questions and problems.

 

[KoolDrew]

Simply get the best one available and move on to more important questions and problems.

The XP-90C outperforms the XP-120.