I need a recommendation for a new heatsink

[d3fu5i0n]

Hello guys and gals,


I've ordered a new case: Corsair 650D with replacement Xigmatek [x1]XLF-F2006 (front), [x2]XLF-F1454 (top), [x1]XLF-F1256 (rear) fans (Blue fans w/ white LEDs).

Anyhow. I'm currently using a Cooler Master Hyper N520 with my Q6700 @ 3.6GHz.

I'm looking for a new heatsink with nice aesthetics and decent performance, which also hits a great price point (budget is flexible if necessary), after all the money I've been spending on some recently expensive components.

I've also got a very stylish 'be quiet!' PSU, so if either of the Dark Rock HSs work well, then they'd be black to fit the colour scheme, and match well with my PSU.

I'm not looking for something as extreme as the NH-D14 or the Silver Arrow. But I suppose the Dark Rock Advanced or the NH-U12P SE2 HSs might be an option...

Anyhow, your opinions on a good choice for a new HS please.

[Extra info: Mobo - P5Q Premium (Asus); Memory - 2x2GB Crucial Ballistix Tracer DDR2-800 [they use small heatspreaders] & looking to add 2 more DIMMs; Front 200mm = intake [obviously], Top 2x 140mm = exhaust [unless you recommend them to be intake], Rear 120mm = exhaust [obviously].

Thanks guys...

 

[abekl]

I am a fan of Thermaltake, and I use their products in my 1155 setups almost exclusively. For a 775 setup such as yours (the colors won't match) I recommend either of the following for great performance at a reasonable price. Thermaltake uses beefier heat pipes than most other brands, and they definitely conduct away more heat.
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1148&ID=1866
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1148&ID=1987

 

[d3fu5i0n]

I am a fan of Thermaltake, and I use their products in my 1155 setups almost exclusively. For a 775 setup such as yours (the colors won't match) I recommend either of the following for great performance at a reasonable price. Thermaltake uses beefier heat pipes than most other brands, and they definitely conduct away more heat.
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1148&ID=1866
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1148&ID=1987

Hmmh.
Well the colours of the 'be quiet!' HSs will match fine - beautifully in fact [with the case and the PSU].

I do want something quiet, and the be quiet! Dark Rock Advanced offers that. But the mounting system is dreadful. I suppose I could wait for the new C2 revision of the Dark Rock HSs and get one of those then (they claimed that they've improved the mounting system).

I'm not keen on Thermaltake myself, but that's me personally.

For me at the moment, I'm thinking it's either: 1) Wait for the C2 revision of the 'be quiet!' heatsinks. Or 2) Attempt to find a decent heatsink right now. - I suppose I could still get the Dark Rock Advanced C1 now, but that mounting system is putting me off (you more-or-less need 4 arms).

Any idea as to when the C2 revision is due to be released to the market anyway?

If you can think of any more heatsinks, that'll be great.
Thanks.

 

[d3fu5i0n]

...Okay.

Looking at the performance and acoustic levels of the Noctua NH-U12P SE2, I'm being led that way. The only thing putting me off is the aesthetics (in terms of matching, I don't dislike them) and matching my new case. To me this is important, after spending the money on the stunning 650D case and replacement fans.

So, should I get the U12P SE2 or wait for the Dark Rock Advanced C2?

I suppose I could replace the fans on the Noctua HS. Although this would further increase expenses.
Should I also look into buying a large heatsink with no fans, and purchase some more fans separately?

 

[Arsinek]

Why did you go with Xigmatek fans? Ive never thought of Xigmatek as being high quality.

 

[d3fu5i0n]

Why did you go with Xigmatek fans? Ive never thought of Xigmatek as being high quality.

I read some reviews that were very positive about these particular fans. I've never experienced any Xigmatek products.

I'll give them a whirl, if they don't suffice to being high enough quality or if I have any issues with them I'll replace them with something else.

Anyhow, to the question of the heatsink?

 

[RussianSensation]

There are plenty of heatsinks that have a dark look.

Xigmatek Thor or Xigmatek Dark Knight, many Zalman heatsinks, Prolimatech Mega Shadow, Spire Thermax Eclipse II, Tuniq Tower 120 Extreme, Thermalright Venomous X Black or True Black 120 or MUX-120 Black, EVGA Superclock, Cooler Master V6GT, Zerotherm Nirvana, and of course all the self-contained water cooling systems from Corsair and Antec.

 

[d3fu5i0n]

There are plenty of heatsinks that have a dark look.

Xigmatek Thor or Xigmatek Dark Knight, many Zalman heatsinks, Prolimatech Mega Shadow, Spire Thermax Eclipse II, Tuniq Tower 120 Extreme, Thermalright Venomous X Black or True Black 120 or MUX-120 Black, EVGA Superclock, Cooler Master V6GT, Zerotherm Nirvana, and of course all the self-contained water cooling systems from Corsair and Antec.

Hmmh, thanks for the list.
Oh, and now I'm a bit worried about the Xigmatek fans I ordered, due to 'Arsinek's' comment. What's your take on them?

I was looking at the TRUE Black and the Venomous X Black. But they seem to be a little hard to get in the UK now and I've been reading some issues about over-pressure around the CPU socket on the motherboard.

 

[RussianSensation]

beQuiet! Dark Pro coolers review.

120 mm fan Roundup Part I
120 mm fan Roundup Part II
140 mm fan Roundup

For quiet case fans with lots of airflow, I'd get Scythe Gentle Typhoon AP 14 / 15s.

For quiet fans, there are beQuiet silent wings fans.

Here is a 65 fan roundup for Megahalems. If you want awesome airflow and have a fan controller, there is the San Ace.

Honestly, for heatsink fans, I'd get the TY-140 or the 140 mm Scythe Slip Stream <--- Both of these have 120 mm mounting holes. Good compromise between noise and airflow for these 2.

 

[d3fu5i0n]

beQuiet! Dark Pro coolers review.

120 mm fan Roundup Part I
120 mm fan Roundup Part II
140 mm fan Roundup

For quiet case fans with lots of airflow, I'd get Scythe Gentle Typhoon AP 14 / 15s.

For quiet fans, there are beQuiet silent wings fans.

Here is a 65 fan roundup for Megahalems. If you want awesome airflow and have a fan controller, there is the San Ace.

Honestly, for heatsink fans, I'd get the TY-140 or the 140 mm Scythe Slip Stream <--- Both of these have 120 mm mounting holes. Good compromise between noise and airflow for these 2.

I wanted to get some fans with nice aesthetics as well as good performance and quality.
It would be: Noiseblocker 120mm and 140mm BlackSilentPro fans; or GELID fans (except those only come in 120mm). I was also looking at the 120mm and 140mm Aerocool fans.
The be quiet! fans are also nice.

I don't mind getting those fans if it'd be a good idea. Although the problem is getting a front 200mm fan. I wanted one brand that served high quality fans, with nice aesthetics and low dBA ranges, for all three of these fan sizes. In one word: 'Matching'. I've spent a vast amount of money on this case, and I want to finish it off nicely. I'm sure you understand.

Unless the Corsair 650D does natively take 140mm fans in the front without modding, which I do not believe that it does.

Oh, and the SilentWings USC fans should be controlled fine by the Corsair 650D fan controller, right? (Sorry, just trying to make sure, as I've never used ANY fan controllers before - except the ones built onto the fans in my Antec 900).

 

[RussianSensation]

I wanted to get some fans with nice aesthetics as well as good performance and quality. I've spent a vast amount of money on this case, and I want to finish it off nicely. I'm sure you understand.

Actually I personally don't care much for aesthetics or matching of the fans. My case has a black rear exhaust fan and a clear top 230mm fan (so those totally don't match), and the heatsink is paired with yet another totally different Scythe S-flex fan, which looks completely different from my rear exhaust black fan.

I also just ordered Thermalright Silver Arrow and the 2 fans that come with it are butt ugly color; but I don't really care since performance and noise matters more to me. My view is that if you are going to buy a Thermaltake Venomous X and then 2x 120 mm fans, you might as well get the Noctua NH-D14 or SA and get a $5 spray can of black paint. Just spray the stock fans and you'll get > performance and unmatched noise levels than if you were to buy a separate $60 heatsink + 2 fans. This guy did it and it looks great!!

Alternatively, why not get a closed loop watercooling system like the H80 (it will already come with 2 black fans) or the H70 --> both are entirely black.

I can't think of many fans that have great performance and aesthetics. Gentle Typhoons, San Ace, TY-140, S-Flex, etc. None of these fans is "good looking" per say. I would say Noise Blockers look great and their performance is good, but they are very expensive.

The fan controller should work fine with any of these fans as long as you have proper connections.

Here is another 120/140 mm fan Roundup to give you more ideas.

Bit Tech also ran a "Best 120mm fan" round-up as well as "Best large case fan" round-up.

The stock rear exhaust fan on the 650D looks nice already. I think you should just get a large 200mm fan at the top like this:

Corsair sells it on their website.

 

[xXCrossCheckXx]

i have the corsair a70 and absolutely impressed with its cooling performance. i was rocking a thermaltake V1 and could not clock my i5-750 clocked past 3.6ghz w/o major voltage tweaking.

after adding the A70 i have my i5-750 runnin @ 4ghz. with no voltage tweaking

right now the egg has it for 49.99 with a 15.00 rebate. it has a 5 egg rating with only 4 reviews under 4 eggs (out of 91 reviews)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=corsair%20a70

istall was simple, mounts via backplate..so no more flimsy intel push clips

 

[LagunaX]

I almost bought this cooler but the silver arrow and nh-d14 just performed better:
http://www.amazon.com/NZXT-HAVIK-Coo.../dp/B005869XYK

 

[d3fu5i0n]

Actually I personally don't care much for aesthetics or matching of the fans. My case has a black rear exhaust fan and a clear top 230mm fan (so those totally don't match), and the heatsink is paired with yet another totally different Scythe S-flex fan, which looks completely different from my rear exhaust black fan.

I also just ordered Thermalright Silver Arrow and the 2 fans that come with it are butt ugly color; but I don't really care since performance and noise matters more to me. My view is that if you are going to buy a Thermaltake Venomous X and then 2x 120 mm fans, you might as well get the Noctua NH-D14 or SA and get a $5 spray can of black paint. Just spray the stock fans and you'll get > performance and unmatched noise levels than if you were to buy a separate $60 heatsink + 2 fans. This guy did it and it looks great!!

Alternatively, why not get a closed loop watercooling system like the H80 (it will already come with 2 black fans) or the H70 --> both are entirely black.

I can't think of many fans that have great performance and aesthetics. Gentle Typhoons, San Ace, TY-140, S-Flex, etc. None of these fans is "good looking" per say. I would say Noise Blockers look great and their performance is good, but they are very expensive.

The fan controller should work fine with any of these fans as long as you have proper connections.

Here is another 120/140 mm fan Roundup to give you more ideas.

Bit Tech also ran a "Best 120mm fan" round-up as well as "Best large case fan" round-up.

The stock rear exhaust fan on the 650D looks nice already.

Corsair sells it on their website.

Well, we all have different preferences. And I like having nice aesthetics and silence as much as I love the performance.
The stock fans on the 650D have some issues, and although you can get a free 'fixing' kit from Corsair's website (that I have ordered), the fans are very noisy as well. The 200mm fans being 28.8dB on the lowest setting (I asked 'ramguy' from Corsair). They also push/pull very little air from what most reviews have been saying.

I have also asked be quiet! on YouTube, and they said that the C2 revision should be ready by the end of this year or very early next year.

So I think I'll wait and get the Dark Rock Advanced C2. I asked them if they were going to make some 200mm case fans. Then I could buy all three sizes. And does the 650D rear fan 'space' take 140mm fans as well, or only 120mm - I'm sure I've seen it hinted that it takes 140mm somewhere? (I may as well just get three 140mm fans and a front 200 then).

Hmmh. Unless you can think of an amazingly quiet black 200mm fan (the Antec BigBoy isn't very quiet in my opinion), which I could buy for the front. Unless I should buy the black CoolerMaster MegaFlow 200mm and wait for be quiet! to make a 200mm fan and buy it later.

I've already read both of those BitTech reviews, but didn't like the choice of fans in them.

 

[RussianSensation]

And does the 650D rear fan 'space' take 140mm fans as well, or only 120mm - I'm sure I've seen it hinted that it takes 140mm somewhere? (I may as well just get three 140mm fans and a front 200 then).

Looking at the back of the case, it looks like it only has 120 mm mounting holes for the rear exhaust fast. So you'll have to find a 120mm mounting fan.

I think you'll be able to fit those Scythe Slip Streams 140mm since they have 120mm mounting holes. They are entirely black.

Alternatively, if you are going to use a fan controller but want tornado style airflow you can get these all black Scythe Gentle Typhoons High RPM and lower their fan speeds for every day operation.

Here is the thing - why do you want so much airflow in your case? It sounds to me you are more concerned about noise.

So do this:

- Spend extra on a videocard with better aftermarket cooling (i.e., non-reference design such as MSI TwinFrozr III, Sapphire Dirt3 Edition, PowerColor Vortex, Zotac AMP!)
- Spend extra on a good aftermarket CPU heatsink (Havik 140, Silver Arrow, Archon, Noctua U12P-SE2, Noctua NH-D14, Megahalems, etc. etc.).

After doing that, you can get much quieter case fans with lower airflow since you won't need tornado style airflow within your case to keep those components cool.

I have my 2 front 120mm intake fans spinning at only 950 rpm, and I still get 65-67*C @ 100% load on all 8 threads on my i7 @ 3.9ghz (2500k/2600k consume far less power even at 4.7ghz in comparison).

What I am saying is, you just need good case airflow and awesome aftermarket cooling to achieve amazing temperatures. This direction imo is MUCH better than getting the most amazing case fans and average/mid-range aftermarket cooling components. As long as the air moves freely in the case (good cable management, 2 intake , 1 exhaust you are good to go). There isn't a necessity for a wind tunnel with top of the line aftermarket cooling components on your CPU and GPU. I mean if you had a horrible case such as the P180/182/183, then I'd suggest the best possible case fans. So I think just find a case fan that has a noise you are comfortable with and just get those.

BTW, Gentle Typhoon AP-14 (non-high RPM ones) have black housing (when they are spinning, you won't really be able to see their grey color haha).

=============

Just to play a devil's advocate for a second. Before you go out and blow $150 on case fans and aftermarket cooling, you know a 2500k @ stock + stock heatsink is going to be nearly 50% faster than your CPU @ 3.6ghz? Sandy Bridge has about a 45-50% IPC advantage over Core 2 Quad at the same clocks. If you can sell your mobo + ram + CPU, you might want to go this route instead. You'll save $ on lower power consumption too. Then, just keep all the stock fans in your case, and get a $20-30 fan controller for all of them. Just something to think about.

 

[d3fu5i0n]

Looking at the back of the case, it looks like it only has 120 mm mounting holes for the rear exhaust fast. So you'll have to find a 120mm mounting fan.

I think you'll be able to fit those Scythe Slip Streams 140mm since they have 120mm mounting holes. They are entirely black.

Alternatively, if you are going to use a fan controller but want tornado style airflow you can get these all black Scythe Gentle Typhoons High RPM and lower their fan speeds for every day operation.

Here is the thing - why do you want so much airflow in your case? It sounds to me you are more concerned about noise.

So do this:

- Spend extra on a videocard with better aftermarket cooling (i.e., non-reference design such as MSI TwinFrozr III, Sapphire Dirt3 Edition, PowerColor Vortex, Zotac AMP!)
- Spend extra on a good aftermarket CPU heatsink (Havik 140, Silver Arrow, Archon, Noctua U12P-SE2, Noctua NH-D14, Megahalems, etc. etc.).

After doing that, you can get much quieter case fans with lower airflow since you won't need tornado style airflow within your case to keep those components cool.

I have my 2 front 120mm intake fans spinning at only 950 rpm, and I still get 65-67*C @ 100% load on all 8 threads on my i7 @ 3.9ghz (2500k/2600k consume far less power even at 4.7ghz in comparison).

What I am saying is, you just need good case airflow and awesome aftermarket cooling to achieve amazing temperatures. This direction imo is MUCH better than getting the most amazing case fans and average/mid-range aftermarket cooling components. As long as the air moves freely in the case (good cable management, 2 intake , 1 exhaust you are good to go). There isn't a necessity for a wind tunnel with top of the line aftermarket cooling components on your CPU and GPU. I mean if you had a horrible case such as the P180/182/183, then I'd suggest the best possible case fans. So I think just find a case fan that has a noise you are comfortable with and just get those.

BTW, Gentle Typhoon AP-14 (non-high RPM ones) have black housing (when they are spinning, you won't really be able to see their grey color haha).

=============

Just to play a devil's advocate for a second. Before you go out and blow $150 on case fans and aftermarket cooling, you know a 2500k + stock heatsink is going to be nearly 50% faster than your CPU at 3.6ghz?

Well, I've chosen to return those 'apparently' cheap-y Xigmatek fans.

And opted for the be quiet! fans. Perhaps I'll just leave the stock Corsair front fan in. (I asked 'be quiet!' and they said they're not going any higher than 140mm case fans).

My question now is, Dark Rock Advanced or Dark Rock Pro? I'm going to have a helping-hand from some family members with the fiddly mounting system.

It's a Q6700 @ 3.6GHz.

My graphics card is already a non-reference Sapphire 6950 2GB anyway.


EDIT: Decided to order the SilentWing fans and the Dark Rock Advanced [based on my needs, as you've reminded me - an important thing to remember]. I may find a good 200mm front fan replacement at some point...

 

[RussianSensation]

Well glad you came to some internal resolution

Post some pics of the Dark Rock Cooler in your case for aesthetics for reference since I don't think anyone has such a model on our forum.

 

[d3fu5i0n]

Well glad you came to some internal resolution

Post some pics of the Dark Rock Cooler in your case for aesthetics for reference since I don't think anyone has such a model on our forum.

I shall... (AnandTech is my favourite forum, but I've been too lazy, as I haven't put any information on it.)
I've only got the camera on my old SE K800i phone... haha

Thanks for the advice anyway; you really know your hardware products well. I suppose over time you learn your way around products and what to get and avoid.

I suppose it's a bit of an experience paying about &#163;10 just to send back some unboxed products. :\