Need recommendations on cooling

[The Mailman]

okay, heres the setup so far relevant

MSI K9 mobo
amd 5000+ cpu
Lian LI PC V800 case
crucial ballistix ram

itll be for gaming so ill eventually get some heavy duty vid cards in there

anyway, I just bought a Zalman CNPS9500 AM2 for it....doesnt fit. well it does but I'd have to remove the top fan. I just went and bought an Alpine 64 cooler since its shorter and will fit fine. ugh.

whats better? the Zalman and completely remove the top case blowhole fan? or the alpine with the case fan?



also, what should I do to ensure the quietest running of this computer? replace the stock case fans? is there a better HSF set i coulda gone with (im dumb, i know)? any other tips to try?

 

[Zepper]

What make and model fans did you get with the case? Perhaps a fan controller could help control the noise while keeping the cooling reasonable without having to buy new fans. IIRC, L-L cases come with Adda fans which are generally very good.

 

[krotchy]

The top blowhole isnt going to help the zalman anyways, so it should be ok to remove if you go with that HSF

 

[PChang11]

The Alpine cooler is more on an OEM replacement. If you want better cooling for the CPU, the 9500 is going to work much better despite you losing a fan.

If you want another new cooler, this one should fit your needs:
Zalman CNPS8000

 

[The Mailman]

does that support AM2?


i got the alpine as a just in case. right now things are fitting perfect so i was worried. id rather have to spend an extra $20 and have a backup fan that will fit once all my parts come in rather than having everything in place but a HSF that messes up my setup

im finding the 9500 noisy at full speeds though....very noisy. but then again the bench marks for it are amazing so maybe im just being picky and this is about as good as it gets.

guys, pick one

1. Alpine 64, with the top case fan (AVVA)

2. CNPS9500AM2 with no blowhole fan

3. 8000 w/ case blowhole fan

 

[Lord Banshee]

I just built my HTPC last week and i have to say it is so so quiet. If i had it in the living room (one day it will go there) then the sound of it would be fine, but right now it is in my bedroom and i can not leave it on as i can hear it .

The parts i can hear from a distance is my CPU fan and my power supply.

These are my components
AMD 3000+ 939
Zalman 7000-CU (Slowest speed with fan mate)
Antec NSK2400 Case w/PSU
Yate Loon 120-mm case fan
Foxconn K8MA 6150
80GB Segate HD
160GB WD HD
Panasonic DVD-RW

I would think i would hear the hard drives and the yate loon fan the most but i am wrong.
The CPU i guess i can not do anything about it But the power supply i think it hear the capacitor or something to that nature. The can not hear the fan just the odd frequency buzz. I suppose i will upgrade the PSU to the seasonic 300-400 model as i hear they are quiet and very effiecent.

So i guess i am saying get a very good PSU, and maybe a passive CPU cooler if you HTPC is going in the room you sleep in, But if it is in the living room you don't have too worry too much just get quiet parts and you'll be fine.