Need CPU Cooler Suggestion

[The Mailman]

First off, currently I have a Zalman CNPS9700 cooler in the case. The case is a Lian Li V800. It came with an intake fan above the CPU but due to the Zalman being too tall, I took it out to give room. I'm upgrading for higher performance so at the moment I could care less about sound or price, and only care about performance. I'm going to be putting a Q6600 in my new rig, and plan on getting a Q9300 later on (or better, funds depending)

Option 1:
Use case intake fan, leaving room for only low profile coolers.

Option 2:
Keep intake fan out (have JUST enough room for the current Zalman, which specs read as 14.2cm high)

Option 3:
Take top of case off, unlimited clearance



The case itself....runs a little hot. Okay, very hot. Much cooler with the top off and more ventilation. What would you guys suggest I do? Have any particular models in mind? I'd like to buy either tonight or tomorrow. Thanks in advance!

 

[Tullphan]

Are you running apps that require a quad-core? Go w/one of the E8400's...they run alot cooler than anything out there. That way you can use the stock cooler & get better temps.
Are you in love w/that case? You don't seem happy about the temps. If you're upgrading to higher performance, get a case that won't be a sauna...you said you don't care about sound or price...perhaps an Antec 1200 when it comes out, or if you can't wait, go w/a Silverstone or a Stacker.

 

[The Mailman]

i already bought the Q6600, so no turning back on that one. I aired on the side of hoping multi-threading gives me a boost with U3 engine based games...

dont feel like buying a new case. im going to be running my PC from another room so investing in something i wont even see just seems pointless at this juncture.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Thermalright Ultima 90

or

Xigmatek HDT-SD983

IMHO.

 

[imported_Scoop]

The case has a rear exhaust fan? You have the Zalman blowing towards the rear case fan? Don't use the side panel fan unless you want to use a down-blowing HSF instead of a tower.

 

[The Mailman]

Originally posted by: Scoop
The case has a rear exhaust fan? You have the Zalman blowing towards the rear case fan? Don't use the side panel fan unless you want to use a down-blowing HSF instead of a tower.

yes, the case has a 2 rear exhaust fans directly behind the zalman


there is no side panel fan...

 

[The Mailman]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
Xigmatek HDT-SD983

IMHO.

googling that yielded no results - its also not on their website.....

 

[imported_Scoop]

Originally posted by: The Mailman

Originally posted by: Scoop
The case has a rear exhaust fan? You have the Zalman blowing towards the rear case fan? Don't use the side panel fan unless you want to use a down-blowing HSF instead of a tower.

yes, the case has a 2 rear exhaust fans directly behind the zalman


there is no side panel fan...

Oh, I misunderstood, my bad. If you mean a fan on top of your case, that's supposed to be an exhaust fan, not an intake fan. Hot air goes up u know? If you want my suggestion, I've been completely happy with my BTF-90. It's small and with spring-loaded screws, you couldn't ask for a better mount. And it keeps temps low

 

[The Mailman]

the top fan intakes air and blows it on the cpu....at least that's what it did stock (?)

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: The Mailman

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
Xigmatek HDT-SD983

IMHO.

googling that yielded no results - its also not on their website.....

typo sorry, HDT-S964 was thinking of their hdt-s1283 but, thought it might be too tall so I went to type the s964 and just messed the whole thing up.

 

[The Mailman]

would i be better off taking the top off the case, putting a netting on there for dust, and running the biggest HS out there? noise and appearance are not a concern

im planning on putting a Scythe Kama Bay 120mm fan on the front (via the 3 5.25 bays, blowing towards the cpu) - would this help me much?

thanks guys, really appreciate the help

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: The Mailman
would i be better off taking the top off the case, putting a netting on there for dust, and running the biggest HS out there? noise and appearance are not a concern

im planning on putting a Scythe Kama Bay 120mm fan on the front (via the 3 5.25 bays, blowing towards the cpu) - would this help me much?

thanks guys, really appreciate the help

I would try and keep the side pannel on so you get a decent directional flow, open side pannels just allow air to continually re-circulate. The kama bay would definately help. I think an ultima 90 with any decent 92mm fan with the kama bay at the front should keep your system cooled very well.

 

[The Mailman]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12

Originally posted by: The Mailman
would i be better off taking the top off the case, putting a netting on there for dust, and running the biggest HS out there? noise and appearance are not a concern

im planning on putting a Scythe Kama Bay 120mm fan on the front (via the 3 5.25 bays, blowing towards the cpu) - would this help me much?

thanks guys, really appreciate the help

I would try and keep the side pannel on so you get a decent directional flow, open side pannels just allow air to continually re-circulate. The kama bay would definately help. I think an ultima 90 with any decent 92mm fan with the kama bay at the front should keep your system cooled very well.

hmm.....there is no side panel, its a desktop/htpc case. top comes off only

as it stands it looks like im getting a pair of Accelero heatsinks for the video cards so if there are height issues (likely) looks like the top is coming off anyway. if thats the case, then im going with the huge cpu cooler. my pc is out of sight so an ugly setup isnt a concern to me.

ill look at the ultima90 as an option if the accelero's actually fit

 

[The Boston Dangler]

are you sure it's a zalman 9700 and not the 9500? i ask because the V800 has 60mm fans on the back. my siverstone has 80mm's, and the 9500 clears the lid by less than 1cm.

imo, the xigmatek coolers are some of the best available at any price. the 90mm and 120mm are both $40 or less. if you're leaving the lid off, the 120 is a great choice. say, wasn't there a review of the 90mm here, somewhere? you'll definately need fans for the accelero's.

 

[SolidSnakeUS]

Maybe a Zalman 9500? I know it is a bit smaller, but it is really good for its size, and it isn't too big. Unless that is too big?

 

[aigomorla]

can you give us a temp comparison of your system with the side panel on and off via loaded temps

using these programs:

coretemp 0.97.1 for temps
Prime95 25.7

Just a 10 min small FFTs run will do and jot down the temps with the side panel on and off.

This is to see how bad your internal ambients are. If there as bad as you say they are, no sink in the world will help you with your temp problem.

A good cable management guide will tho, and will be a lot cheaper.