Opinions: upgrade from PAL8045 to 7000A-AlCu?

[WhiteKnight]

I currently have a PAL8045 that keeps my CPU 10-11 degrees above case temp. Not bad, but I figure there's always room for improvement. I see that SVC has the 7000A-AlCu on sale for $30.99. I've heard great things about this sink, but can anyone give me any feedback. Will this thing fit on an 8RDA+?

 

[Blain]

A better and cheaper cooling upgrade that would really help is a fan duct to vent hot air from the Alpha out the side of the case.
Cheap and Easy

 

[WhiteKnight]

I was thinking about that too. Right now I have two front 80mm intakes, 2 rear 80mm exhausts, the PS, and a side suckhole over the AGP/PCI slots. Does it make sense to put a ducted blowhole for my Alpha?

 

[Blain]

If you can duct the side hole to the Alpha, that would work well. That way you can dump a bunch of heat outside the case.

 

[WhiteKnight]

I kind of like having the suck hole to help my vid card out.

 

[AnnoyedGrunt]

Just installed the 7000a-AlCu on my AXP 1800+ (switched from a TT Volcano 6cu).

The Zalman is much, much more quiet, and seems to cool extremely well. My temps used to be around 40C (with a 30C case) and now they are closer to 35C with a 30C case.

If you go to the Zalman website you can look @ their Motherboard compatibility specs to see how it will work. You may also need to check your case for clearance as well (mine just bare cleared the PSU).

http://www.zalmanusa.com/usa/product/view.asp?idx=54&code=

That should get you to the right page.

I really like the Zalman, but I was switching from something very loud. Therefore I was easily impressed. What I really like about the Zalman is that I will be able to use it when I build up an A64 System in December.

Also, I bought mine from a store near me called Central Computer:
http://www.centralcomputer.com/emerchant/itemdetail.asp?item=CPUZZZCFSHKR

I always go to their actual store to buy, so I don't know what their online experience is like. However, they are pretty cool in person, so maybe that's a good sign.

-D'oh!