just got an XP-120 installed, a few thoughts

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C

Corporate Thug

Lifer
Apr 17, 2003
37,622
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So i got my xp-120 today and installed it

i was using a zalman CNPS7000 CU on max before

basically, my CPU temps dropped about 5C which is pretyy good considering that i'm using the thermal stuff that was included with the HSF and not AS5

however, this HS is an absolute PITA to install. i had to remove the whole mobo to get it installed. also, it severally restricts the wiggly room you have in your PC. i cant use any of the 3 pin fan slots on the mobo without removing the video card. also, the ram slot furtherest left is rendered usless.

if anyone if thinking about upgrading to this HS, THINK LONG AND HARD. it is by far the best HSF i have used BUT it is also the hardest HSF i have ever installed and the compatabilty is limited as well, i had to bend a cap to get it to go on.
 
T

Tiamat

Lifer
Nov 25, 2003
14,068
5
71
XP-90 for the fainthearted? Or is there too much of a cooling performance drop? I havent seen any comparisons...
 
RalfHutter

RalfHutter

Diamond Member
Dec 29, 2000
3,202
0
76
Originally posted by: Tiamat
XP-90 for the fainthearted? Or is there too much of a cooling performance drop? I havent seen any comparisons...
Click to expand...



I just started testing an XP-90 and my initial results are showing that it's not very much better than a Zalman 7000. Temps with the XP-90 are running about 4-6°C warmer than with the XP-120 I tested earlier.

Size-wise, the XP-90 is easier to install but it still takes a buttload of pressure to snap the clips into the retention bracket, just like with the XP-120. Due to the smaller size of the XP-90, it's easier to manipulate the mounting clips though.
 
T

Tiamat

Lifer
Nov 25, 2003
14,068
5
71
Originally posted by: RalfHutter
Originally posted by: Tiamat
XP-90 for the fainthearted? Or is there too much of a cooling performance drop? I havent seen any comparisons...
Click to expand...



I just started testing an XP-90 and my initial results are showing that it's not very much better than a Zalman 7000. Temps with the XP-90 are running about 4-6°C warmer than with the XP-120 I tested earlier.

Size-wise, the XP-90 is easier to install but it still takes a buttload of pressure to snap the clips into the retention bracket, just like with the XP-120. Due to the smaller size of the XP-90, it's easier to manipulate the mounting clips though.
Click to expand...

Sweet, thanks for the comparison!
 
F

fanboi

Member
Sep 28, 2004
79
0
0
I also just recently installed a XP-120, and also got an instant 5 degree drop in temp.

It wasn't the easiest HSF to install, requiring removal of the mobo. However, it wasn't too hard, and if you have an appropriate case and mobo, it really isn't that big a deal. None of my RAM dimms are obstructed, none of my caps needed to be bent. It's big, but it doesn't prevent me from using anything that's on my board.

Basically, it just really depends on your board. I have an ASUS K8N-E Deluxe, and I had no problems whatsoever.

Seriously, just look up the Thermalright website to make SURE your mobo is 100% compatible. If it isn't, and you install it anyway, well, you're asking for it. Oh, and you're also an idiot if you come here and complain about having to twist caps and whatnot if your board isn't 100% compatible as indicated by the list on Thermalrights' website. If it was listed as compatible and it actually isn't, then complain to Thermalright about it. If your board isn't on the list, then you're taking a chance that it won't work.

Bottom line: if your mobo is listed as compatible, then go for it, you won't regret it.

Best damn HSF I've ever tried. Kinda hard to install, but worth it.

...but it still takes a buttload of pressure to snap the clips into the retention bracket...
Click to expand...

Actually, it doesn't really take that much pressure. You just have to push it the right way. I was pressing down on the clips really hard, till I realized I just need to press them in a certain way. If you're pushing really hard and it ain't working, you're pushing wrong.

On a second note, one of my favourite features bout this HS is the mounting bracket for AMD 64 that comes with it. Basically, it replaces the bracket already installed on your board, and by using it, you can pretty much install any P4 HS on it too. Cuz the HS is designed to work with P4 clips, so all they did was include a custom bracket for the AMD boards.
 
HeroOfPellinor

HeroOfPellinor

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
11,272
1
0
I installed it on a K8N NEO Platinum two days ago and also found it extremely tricky. The problem was that in order to install it, you need to tilt it back and fasten the two hooks on the non-pipe side -- like the instructions say -- but the DIMM locks were right in the way. I considered attaching that side to the RM with the RM not tightened down and then carefully tightening it, but, in the end, I managed to twist and angle the heatsink to just barely hook the RM and got it on. The pipes are about 1 cm away form the AGP slot and getting a stick of memory into the slot closest to the heatsink required some more angling and reaching, but I got it.
 
F

fanboi

Member
Sep 28, 2004
79
0
0
I think Thermalright said that the pipes should either be on the left or right side of the HS once istalled. They said you shouldn't have them pointing towards the PSU nor the AGP slot, as the gravity would negatively affect the cooling in the pipes.
 
P

pelikan

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2002
3,118
0
76
I put the XP-120 on my Abit KV8 Pro, knowing it wasn't on the compatibility list. I had to bend a cap and two fins of the passive NB heatsink for it to fit. It will also fit with the heatpipes facing the ram, but you have to use ram without heatspreaders if you have two sticks installed (there are only two ram slots). So the installation was a bit of a pain.
But I am able to use a 120mm Globe fan which is pretty quiet (1500 RPM, no bearing noise), and can use up to 1.625 vcore and still have good enough temps to run Prime 95 without errors. So I am very happy with this heatsink.
 
HeroOfPellinor

HeroOfPellinor

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
11,272
1
0
Originally posted by: fanboi
I think Thermalright said that the pipes should either be on the left or right side of the HS once istalled. They said you shouldn't have them pointing towards the PSU nor the AGP slot, as the gravity would negatively affect the cooling in the pipes.
Click to expand...

That was the SP-97/94. They have specifically stated that the orientation of the heatpipes with the XP-120/90 has NO effect on the cooling ability.
 
C

Corporate Thug

Lifer
Apr 17, 2003
37,622
0
76
Originally posted by: fanboi
I also just recently installed a XP-120, and also got an instant 5 degree drop in temp.

It wasn't the easiest HSF to install, requiring removal of the mobo. However, it wasn't too hard, and if you have an appropriate case and mobo, it really isn't that big a deal. None of my RAM dimms are obstructed, none of my caps needed to be bent. It's big, but it doesn't prevent me from using anything that's on my board.

Basically, it just really depends on your board. I have an ASUS K8N-E Deluxe, and I had no problems whatsoever.

Seriously, just look up the Thermalright website to make SURE your mobo is 100% compatible. If it isn't, and you install it anyway, well, you're asking for it. Oh, and you're also an idiot if you come here and complain about having to twist caps and whatnot if your board isn't 100% compatible as indicated by the list on Thermalrights' website. If it was listed as compatible and it actually isn't, then complain to Thermalright about it. If your board isn't on the list, then you're taking a chance that it won't work.

Bottom line: if your mobo is listed as compatible, then go for it, you won't regret it.

Best damn HSF I've ever tried. Kinda hard to install, but worth it.

...but it still takes a buttload of pressure to snap the clips into the retention bracket...
Click to expand...

Actually, it doesn't really take that much pressure. You just have to push it the right way. I was pressing down on the clips really hard, till I realized I just need to press them in a certain way. If you're pushing really hard and it ain't working, you're pushing wrong.

On a second note, one of my favourite features bout this HS is the mounting bracket for AMD 64 that comes with it. Basically, it replaces the bracket already installed on your board, and by using it, you can pretty much install any P4 HS on it too. Cuz the HS is designed to work with P4 clips, so all they did was include a custom bracket for the AMD boards.
Click to expand...


umm, just because you have to bend caps doesnt mean its incompatible :roll:


i checked the site before i went bought the thing and i knew i had to bend the caps. in fact on their site, they install the HS on the mobo i am using right now

i wasnt complaining about the fact that i had to bend the cap because its not to the point where it is in anyway harmful to the board. i just never had a HSF that required the removal for the entire mobo for installation ;)
 
T

Tab

Lifer
Sep 15, 2002
12,145
0
76
I dont care if its a btch to install. It just want it for bragging rights :) What kind of fan is everyone using on this monster. Where is the AMD compatablity list
 
B

Bugler

Member
Aug 31, 2004
107
0
0
You guys talk about the difficulty to install the xp-120. I am a noob at computer building and am just now gathering the parts for my first build.

Do you think the difficulty of installing the XP-120 is something to be avoided by a first time builder? Two months ago, I was leaning to the zalman, but after more research, I would love to use the xp-120. I will settle for the xp-90, but if the cooling results are not much different than the zalman, then who knows.

I do not have a mother board yet, as I am hoping that DFI will soon come out with their 939 socket board.

My parts have started coming in over the past few days. So far, I have the cooler master stacker case, the OCZ 520w power stream ps; the evga 6800gt video, the audigy 2zs sound card, l gb of OCZ 3200 Plat, rev 2 ram and two seagate 200gb sata drives for RAID 1 mirror configuration.
 
HeroOfPellinor

HeroOfPellinor

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
11,272
1
0
Originally posted by: Bugler
You guys talk about the difficulty to install the xp-120. I am a noob at computer building and am just now gathering the parts for my first build.

Do you think the difficulty of installing the XP-120 is something to be avoided by a first time builder? Two months ago, I was leaning to the zalman, but after more research, I would love to use the xp-120. I will settle for the xp-90, but if the cooling results are not much different than the zalman, then who knows.

I do not have a mother board yet, as I am hoping that DFI will soon come out with their 939 socket board.

My parts have started coming in over the past few days. So far, I have the cooler master stacker case, the OCZ 520w power stream ps; the evga 6800gt video, the audigy 2zs sound card, l gb of OCZ 3200 Plat, rev 2 ram and two seagate 200gb sata drives for RAID 1 mirror configuration.
Click to expand...

Attaching it has nothing to do with computer knowledge or experience...it's a matter of dexterity. ;)
 
C

Corporate Thug

Lifer
Apr 17, 2003
37,622
0
76
Originally posted by: Bugler
You guys talk about the difficulty to install the xp-120. I am a noob at computer building and am just now gathering the parts for my first build.

Do you think the difficulty of installing the XP-120 is something to be avoided by a first time builder? Two months ago, I was leaning to the zalman, but after more research, I would love to use the xp-120. I will settle for the xp-90, but if the cooling results are not much different than the zalman, then who knows.

I do not have a mother board yet, as I am hoping that DFI will soon come out with their 939 socket board.

My parts have started coming in over the past few days. So far, I have the cooler master stacker case, the OCZ 520w power stream ps; the evga 6800gt video, the audigy 2zs sound card, l gb of OCZ 3200 Plat, rev 2 ram and two seagate 200gb sata drives for RAID 1 mirror configuration.
Click to expand...

i think you'll be fine. since you are building your system from scratch, you wont be forced to pull your mobo out of your case ;)

just dont be afraid to apply a little force
 
B

Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
23,643
3
81
Nickel has more thermal resistance than copper does...
Copper will conduct heat away from your CPU better without the nickel insulating layer.
:)
 
L

Lithan

Platinum Member
Aug 2, 2004
2,919
0
0
The method of installation and removal is stupid. You have to hold your cpus in the socket with a screwdriver when you release the heatsink or else it rips half of your cpu from the socket and bends the living hell out of at least one row of pins.

On the plus side, mine seems perfectly flat without lapping and performs as well or better with a medium noise fan than my slk900A did with a tornado.
 
R

Robor

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
16,979
0
76
Will this thing fit on a Gigabyte GA-K8NSNXP-939 ??? I did check the Thermalright website but I didn't see a yay or nay about this motherboard.
 
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