Need good HSF for AM2 CPU

[Proteusza]

So, I bought a Xigmatek HDT s1283 for my 5600+, but stupidly forgot to measure my case (yes I feel like an idiot).

So I need to return it, but now I'm looking for a new one. I finally did measure my case, and measure about 13.5cm from the motherboard to the inside of the door, and 15cms to the exterior edge. I'm not 100% about these numbers, but I'd like to keep any new HSFs shorter than 13cm because I really dont want to return another one.

Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm looking for something that cools fairly well and is fairly quiet. Just more effective than my stock cooler (which is just a block of aluminium with a fan on top of it) and hopefully a bit quieter.

I was thinking the Xigmatek HDT s963 or the Scythe Mini Ninja. Are those any good?

thanks in advance.

 

[RallyMaster]

I would go for a Thermalright XP-90 if you can find one.

 

[error8]

Go for a Thermalright Ultima 90 and even an Ultra 90 if you still find it. They're cheap and very efficient.

 

[Proteusza]

Hmmm, thanks guys. Might be a little big for my case though. I really dont want to order something that doesnt fit again! What do you guys think of the venerable Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro? I see the latest version adds AM2 support and PWM.

 

[RallyMaster]

Not sure if the A64P will fit in your case. Something tells me it's a little over 12 cm though.

 

[error8]

I had an Ultra 90 and a Freezer 64 and now a Xigmatek, just like the one that didn't fit your case. The worst of them was the Freezer 64 Pro. Between the Xigmatek S1283 and Ultra 90 I couldn't spot any difference, they both cooled my cpu the same. The only difference is that the Thermalright was smaller, using 92 mm fan instead of the 120 mm on the Xigmatek.

Now, reading on Thermalright's site, the Ultima 90 has a height of 139mm, Ultra 90 has 147 mm ( ouch ), so it seems that they don't fit your case, but the AC Freezer 64 has 126,5 mm. So, go for the Freezer, is a good cooler, way better then the stock AMD one and dirt cheap too.

 

[Proteusza]

Thanks, thats what I'm thinking. The Xigmatek s963 has a height of 134mm. It..... probably is within my case's limit, but I think I'll go on the safe side and get the Freezer 64. As long as it cools my CPU better than stock while (hopefully) producing less noise I'll be happy. The other thing that I like about the Freezer 64 is that I can direct it to blow air out of my case fan, but the Xigmatek's can only blow out of my PSU fan. My case only has one 80mm exhaust fan, so I think I think I need a little more air moving out of my case to help cool it.

 

[RallyMaster]

Originally posted by: Proteusza
Thanks, thats what I'm thinking. The Xigmatek s963 has a height of 134mm. It..... probably is within my case's limit, but I think I'll go on the safe side and get the Freezer 64. As long as it cools my CPU better than stock while (hopefully) producing less noise I'll be happy. The other thing that I like about the Freezer 64 is that I can direct it to blow air out of my case fan, but the Xigmatek's can only blow out of my PSU fan. My case only has one 80mm exhaust fan, so I think I think I need a little more air moving out of my case to help cool it.

If you're still using a case with 80mm fans, it's time you got a new one.

 

[Proteusza]

I probably should, but not yet. its a CoolerMaster Wavemaster, really wishing I had got that P180 instead. I bought it because it looked pretty cool and it was supposed to be half the weight of the P180.

Yeah, next case wil have better ventilation!

Am actually thinking of upgrading my PC to a quad core of some sort, upgrading my video card to a 4850 and adding 3rd party cooling, then selling the whole lot and starting again. As an almost new PC it might go for a fair bit.

Or just sell it as it is and invest more, would probably lose a lot more though.

 

[RallyMaster]

While the Wavemaster is a great looking case, the cooling potential was limited to begin with and was on par with maybe 2003 standards. Definitely would not recommend throwing a quad + 4850 in there though. That would just heat it up like an oven.

 

[Proteusza]

It was already getting to 60C under load, but that was with uber bad cable management. Cleaned up the cable management last night when I installed my AcoustiPack soundproofing (ie I actually did cable management as opposed to doing nothing) and the temps were about 40C idle this morning.

Ya, maybe I should get rid of the case while I still can!

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: Proteusza
It was already getting to 60C under load, but that was with uber bad cable management. Cleaned up the cable management last night when I installed my AcoustiPack soundproofing (ie I actually did cable management as opposed to doing nothing) and the temps were about 40C idle this morning.

Ya, maybe I should get rid of the case while I still can!

Or just keep the side open until you'll buy another one.

 

[coolpurplefan]

I have a Silverstone LC20 with Scythe Kama Flex 1500 RPM fans hooked on a fan controller with y-adapters (to have a total of 6 fans on it).

Actually, I should probably take a picture of my entire machine. I took some pictures of the inside a while ago. Anywhooo, I also have a Scythe Mini Ninja and Thermaltake V2 (on a Geforce 6600). I also installed a Corsair HX520W (modular) and it's probably as silent as you can get a desktop case with 80mm fans.

My Athlon 64 3700+ is about 36'C and the motherboard as well (Asus K8N4E-Deluxe). I've seen the temperature around 44'C or whatever but that was with Coolermaster fans (with slower RPM with the fan controller).

 

[RussianSensation]

ZEROtherm BTF90 92mm Silent UFO - $35

 

[Proteusza]

I bought the Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro, and an extra 92mm which is hanging underneath my PSU intake fan (ie blowing air from the inside of my case out through the PSU. its in series with the PSU fan). My case temps are in the mid thirties when idle and the mid 40's under load, which is a massive improvement for me. Plus, its much quieter under load, since my old stock HSF would spin up and make a huge noise. It was unbelievably loud actually. I actually think AMD might have bundled the wrong HSF - it came with an X2 5600+, but it doesnt even have heatpipes. Its just an aluminium block with some thick fins and a 70mm fan on top.

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: Proteusza
I bought the Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro, and an extra 92mm which is hanging underneath my PSU intake fan (ie blowing air from the inside of my case out through the PSU. its in series with the PSU fan). My case temps are in the mid thirties when idle and the mid 40's under load, which is a massive improvement for me. Plus, its much quieter under load, since my old stock HSF would spin up and make a huge noise. It was unbelievably loud actually. I actually think AMD might have bundled the wrong HSF - it came with an X2 5600+, but it doesnt even have heatpipes. Its just an aluminium block with some thick fins and a 70mm fan on top.

I guess that that's the cooler that AMD puts in the 5600+ box. It keeps the cpu hot, but it's not going to kill it.

Anyway, I'm glad that it worked out great for you after all. Now, pump some juice in that sucker and up the frequency. If it's an F3, it will overclock like a champ.