In search of blow-down HSF

[lopri]

I am looking to get a 'blow-down' heatsink. Been very satisfied with Sycthe Samurai for a couple years, but it's starting to show its age. And I figured there is a better performing one out there.

Is this one any good?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...1&Tpk=Noctua%20NH-C12P

I have not used Noctua's HSF before but I know their products have a good reputation. The thing looks heavy-duty and if it performs as it looks I figure it'd serve me for the next few years. I'd like to hear from anyone who has an experience? Or anything else you'd like to recommend? I do have some criteria:

1. 1. No tower heatsink
   2. No Thermalright (not fond of their bottom surfaces)
   3. As powerful as possible (but no heavier than 700~800g, without a fan)
   4. As versatile as possible
   5. 120mm or bigger fan. It's a plus if the clips can be used to mount 35mm-thick fans.
   6. The fewer pieces the better. Not just the heatsink body but also mounting kit as well. It's not fun trying to find a missing piece.

Thank you for your suggestion!

 

[zagood]

Looks like a winner if you don't mind the price. Good info here:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article846-page6.html

 

[error8]

I don't like that heatsink because it spreads the hot air all over the case. What do you have against the popular tower design? It's because of the height?

 

[SparkyJJO]

Depending on his motherboard cooling layout, some boards get too hot with tower coolers.

 

[vshah]

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
Depending on his motherboard cooling layout, some boards get too hot with tower coolers.

this can usually be mitigated by a side case fan on most newer cases. but a blow down fan does also help cool the motherboard

 

[lopri]

Yeah towers are great for CPU cooling efficiency, I tend to prefer a blow-down heatsink for long-term solutions.

Edit: How about this one? Didn't know there was an updated version of Scythe Samurai.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl...lay/scythe-kabuto.html

Originally posted by: zagood
Looks like a winner if you don't mind the price. Good info here:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article846-page6.html

Thank you much for the link.

 

[theAnimal]

From all the reviews I've read the Noctua is the best of the top-down coolers.

 

[cubeless]

typhoon

thermaltake typhoon is not a bad unit... used on a couple boxes because they had nice rebates a while back... works pretty good...

 

[Tullphan]

I had an Enzotech Extreme-X in a slightly modded V1000BW. I took out the side fan & just put a grill over it to allow the Extreme-X to pull in fresh air.
I think the temps are acceptable...mid-30's idle w/room ambient of 28c. The CPU was a Q6700 @ 3.0Ghz.
I did replace the noisy Adda fan w/a Zalman ZM-F3, however. Temps went up a degree or 2 after doing it, but it was much easier on my ears.
Link

 

[someone16]

There's also the Coolermaster Geminii S cooler. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16835103046) Its like half the price of the noctua with similiar performance if you look at the frostytech.com review

 

[Beanie46]

Has anyone considered the Xigmatek HDT-D1284? Seems like it should perform as well as the Noctua but at a much cheaper price, too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835233018