Need Better cpu cooling

colt1911

Junior Member
Jul 4, 2007
9
0
0
I'm currently using a Zalman 9700 on my Q9450 and would like to see if I might be able to find something better. I was looking at the True X120 but I believe it will not fit my case . I have this case (http://www.performance-pcs.com...8821b16565837707f7f4f9 ) using 5 120mm fans . 2 on the side panel are intake as well as the one on the front. One on top and one on the rear as exhaust fans. There is only about a 1/2 " clearence now between my 120mm and my Zalman9700 which is what I'm forming my opinion on.
 

ther00kie16

Golden Member
Mar 28, 2008
1,573
0
0
Zalman 9700: 142mm high
TRUE: 160.5mm high
Tuniq Tower: 153mm high
Xigmatek S1283: 159mm high
Xigmatek S963: 134mm high
Scythe Ninja: 150mm high
1" = 25.4mm
So measure more carefully and get the biggest thing that will fit though the smaller Xigmatek is supposed to be pretty good as well and only 3 or 4 degrees behind TRUE according to Frostytech's review. It's also on sale for $15 AR + $7 shipping at newegg which makes it a really nice deal.
 

ther00kie16

Golden Member
Mar 28, 2008
1,573
0
0
Yea, but 1 degree difference isn't worth the $10 extra over the Xigmatek unless you order from buy.com and get googlecheckout in which case, it'll be roughly the same price. But the point is still that 159mm (S1283 and Vendetta 2) may be too tall. That's why Tuniq and Ninja may be good.
If you want the best, Frostytech claims Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer is the best. It does seem to have a smoother base than S1283.
 

DerwenArtos12

Diamond Member
Apr 7, 2003
4,278
0
0
DO NOT TRUST FROSTYTECH REVIEWS OR RESULTS, PLEASE!!!

If you don't believe me, ask them what fans they used on the TRU and the TRUE to get results that the TRU is a better HSF than the TRUE, they can't tell you, they don't know.
 

colt1911

Junior Member
Jul 4, 2007
9
0
0
Thanks guys , looks like I may have to go with the Tuniq or a Ninja due to the space issue. Unless I find something better in the next few days . I appreciate all your help and time.
 

toadeater

Senior member
Jul 16, 2007
488
0
0
Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
DO NOT TRUST FROSTYTECH REVIEWS OR RESULTS, PLEASE!!!

They were right. The TRUE is 1-2c worse with a low RPM fan compared to 120mm HDT heatsinks. Benchmarkreviews got the same results. Look at the link I posted in this thread, or just look at this:

http://benchmarkreviews.com/im...OCZVEND2_HDT-S1283.png

ther00kie16,

The Core Contact Freezer is about the same as the other HDT heatsinks, the only thing that concerns me is the clip mounting mechanism it uses. Maybe it works ok, but you should take a look at it and see if that's something you want to mess with. Why these HDT heatsinks don't come with simple bolt-through kits I don't know.
 

DerwenArtos12

Diamond Member
Apr 7, 2003
4,278
0
0
Originally posted by: toadeater
Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
DO NOT TRUST FROSTYTECH REVIEWS OR RESULTS, PLEASE!!!

They were right. The TRUE is 1-2c worse with a low RPM fan compared to 120mm HDT heatsinks. Benchmarkreviews got the same results. Look at the link I posted in this thread, or just look at this:

http://benchmarkreviews.com/im...OCZVEND2_HDT-S1283.png

ther00kie16,

The Core Contact Freezer is about the same as the other HDT heatsinks, the only thing that concerns me is the clip mounting mechanism it uses. Maybe it works ok, but you should take a look at it and see if that's something you want to mess with. Why these HDT heatsinks don't come with simple bolt-through kits I don't know.

I still cannot and will not blindly believe a site that cannot/will not give out what fans they've used in reviews, especially when they don't use the same fan for comparisons. I won't go so far as to say every piece of data on their site is useless but, I'm not going to take their word alone on anything.
 

OLpal

Member
Feb 12, 2008
188
0
0
Mind if i ask why your upset with Frosty Tech, i was really happy when one of our fellow members introduced me to it !!!
Up to that point i little knoweledge of cpu coolers in the current market !!

Also does anyone know where i might find the 2 white cushion pads that go between the Fan & the ZERO-THERM ZEN 120 CPU COOOLER ....????????? MINE CAME MINUS THE PADS & ONE OF THE WIRE FAN SUPPORTS !!


tHANKS oL'pAL gARY :D


Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
Originally posted by: toadeater
Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
DO NOT TRUST FROSTYTECH REVIEWS OR RESULTS, PLEASE!!!

They were right. The TRUE is 1-2c worse with a low RPM fan compared to 120mm HDT heatsinks. Benchmarkreviews got the same results. Look at the link I posted in this thread, or just look at this:

http://benchmarkreviews.com/im...OCZVEND2_HDT-S1283.png

ther00kie16,

The Core Contact Freezer is about the same as the other HDT heatsinks, the only thing that concerns me is the clip mounting mechanism it uses. Maybe it works ok, but you should take a look at it and see if that's something you want to mess with. Why these HDT heatsinks don't come with simple bolt-through kits I don't know.

I still cannot and will not blindly believe a site that cannot/will not give out what fans they've used in reviews, especially when they don't use the same fan for comparisons. I won't go so far as to say every piece of data on their site is useless but, I'm not going to take their word alone on anything.

 

BonzaiDuck

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
16,499
1,960
126
Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
Originally posted by: toadeater
Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
DO NOT TRUST FROSTYTECH REVIEWS OR RESULTS, PLEASE!!!

They were right. The TRUE is 1-2c worse with a low RPM fan compared to 120mm HDT heatsinks. Benchmarkreviews got the same results. Look at the link I posted in this thread, or just look at this:

http://benchmarkreviews.com/im...OCZVEND2_HDT-S1283.png

ther00kie16,

The Core Contact Freezer is about the same as the other HDT heatsinks, the only thing that concerns me is the clip mounting mechanism it uses. Maybe it works ok, but you should take a look at it and see if that's something you want to mess with. Why these HDT heatsinks don't come with simple bolt-through kits I don't know.

I still cannot and will not blindly believe a site that cannot/will not give out what fans they've used in reviews, especially when they don't use the same fan for comparisons. I won't go so far as to say every piece of data on their site is useless but, I'm not going to take their word alone on anything.

I posted my own rant about this, and I agree. There's an upper limit of CFM throughput beyond which thermal resistance of a cooler won't decrease. But even under that limitation, there are a few old hands here who believe that we haven't wrung enough thermal-resistance-reduction out of some of these high-end heatpipe coolers.

Noise level is important enough to many, and annoying enough to the rest of us, that fan-choices and CFM strategies (with or without fans hanging on the cooler) are compromises between CFM, pressure and velocity -- and measured dBA. But we might as well have consistent fan-choice comparisons in lab-controlled test settings.

I measured the difference myself -- statistically -- with the same fan regimen between the TRU and the TRUE. The Extreme trumps the original by 5 to 7C degrees under load, depending of course on the thermal wattage of the processor at some chosen stock or over-clock setting.

Always consult two or more reviews and choose comparison reviews. The more coolers in the comparison, the better. And the best reviews I've seen, having scoured the web over years now to get data without hype, are right here at Anandtech.
 

scruffypup

Senior member
Feb 3, 2006
371
0
0
The link on the vendetta2 vs the xigmatek s1283 vs thermalright true is correct with one very key point listed,.... LOW RPM FAN

I can give you some other review sites to compare that specifically list the fans used,... basically the vendetta2 and xigmatek S1283 are very similar as teh vendetta 2 is a knockoff of the S1283, the main difference between the 3 will be fin spacing, fin thickness and fan used. The TRUE will slightly outperform the other 2 HSF with a HIGH CFM fan or 2 in push/pull configuration, due to its close fin configuration. With lower rpm fans the ones with greater fin spacing do better.

If you want a quiet yet good performing tower heatsink,... you go with greater fin spacing (look at the thermalright HR-01 plus for instance that is designed to work fanless http://www.silentpcreview.com/article842-page4.html). If noise is not as much concern, but cooling is,... a high cfm fan with tighter spacing.

Xigmatek S1283 vs TRUE
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article842-page4.html

Xigmatek S1283 vs TRUE vs Vendetta 2
http://www.madshrimps.be/?acti...tpage=3615&articID=857

I have seen another somewhere with the zalman 9700 and it did fairly well,...

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article727-page3.html
http://www.anandtech.com/casec...howdoc.aspx?i=2932&p=5

keep in mind it is a different design than the towers,... it has the advantage of cooling some motherboard components as well by directing some air to the motherboard, but typically for max "cpu cooling" a tower with exhaust directed to rear case exhaust (with a shroud even) is generally going to do a little better. Also performance on all of these will vary slightly based on case cooling and such!

The towers might have some clearance issues with that side panel fan,... you can always go with a thinner fan on the side if need be (I am assuming you have the standard 25mm width side fan and you can find some that are 12.5mm that still pull air)

The best price/performance will be the Xigmatek typically AR/FS on newegg for around $27
The TRUE is the most expensive with no fan included (switch with side fan if getting a thinner side panel fan) running closer to $60+fan
 

WoodButcher

Platinum Member
Mar 10, 2001
2,158
0
76
Originally posted by: colt1911
I'm currently using a Zalman 9700 on my Q9450 and would like to see if I might be able to find something better. I was looking at the True X120 but I believe it will not fit my case . I have this case (http://www.performance-pcs.com...8821b16565837707f7f4f9 ) using 5 120mm fans . 2 on the side panel are intake as well as the one on the front. One on top and one on the rear as exhaust fans. There is only about a 1/2 " clearence now between my 120mm and my Zalman9700 which is what I'm forming my opinion on.

If you choose a tower cooler remove the side fan and cover the vent. A fan blowing at the top of any tower does not help but hinder by interfering with the tower's airflow.
The TRUE will fit just fine.