Replacement i7 950 HSF for a slightly size-retarded case.

[Saga]

I've been doing a lot of research on the somewhat limited LGA1366 selection to bring down temps on my midrange i7 950 OC (running 3.8ghz @ 1.164V, around 62C load).

Would just appreciate a double-check.. it's going into a P193 which has a slightly recessed fan on the side of the case so I only have 144mm to work with, and I was initially going to simply use a NH-D14 120 until I realized it probably won't fit. =/

What would be the next best thing? I'm attempting to keep it as quiet as possible which is why the dual fan Noctua played a huge role, overall efficiency isn't the biggest factor as long as I can get 50c or less load instead of 60+, so I have a lot of leeway in that area.

 

[Anubis]

quick and dirty way would be to check this out and find which ones meat your size requirement

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=432&Itemid=62

 

[Saga]

Assuming all Newegg measurements follow L - W - H, the following are the top 3 from that benchmark:

Prolimatech Megahalems Rev.B: 130 x 74 x 158.7 mm
Thermalright Venomous-X: 127 x 63 x 160 mm
Scythe Mugen-2 SCMG-2000: 130 x 100 x 158 mm

None of which fit into the 144mm of space in the Antec P193. =(

 

[Anubis]

yea i realized that after clicking through it again after linking it to you. TBH almost all of the top end air coolers are between 150-160mm tall

 

[zagood]

This may be one of the most frustrating case designs I've ever seen. Here's two sentences from the newegg page...

"The maximum height for heat sink fans with the P193 is 140mm"
"The Big Boy 200, a 200mm fan, is moved outward to give more clearance for taller heatsinks."

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Looks like there's even problems with the H50, the radiator doesn't clear the side fan completely: http://forums.hexus.net/antec-care-hexus/177875-considering-p193-read-first.html#post1841535

Man, I don't know...maybe one of those Scythe coolers that have the heatsink at a 45 degree angle? I'll check around.

 

[Saga]

This may be one of the most frustrating case designs I've ever seen. Here's two sentences from the newegg page...

"The maximum height for heat sink fans with the P193 is 140mm"
"The Big Boy 200, a 200mm fan, is moved outward to give more clearance for taller heatsinks."

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Looks like there's even problems with the H50, the radiator doesn't clear the side fan completely: http://forums.hexus.net/antec-care-hexus/177875-considering-p193-read-first.html#post1841535

Man, I don't know...maybe one of those Scythe coolers that have the heatsink at a 45 degree angle? I'll check around.

I appreciate it. I'm honestly at my wits end here or I wouldn't be bothering you guys with this. I've typically been pretty safe blindly trusting Antec designs but this particular case is giving me a TON of headaches.

 

[Kenmitch]

Did you try doing this?

Other Thoughts: Everyone mentions that the side fan intrudes about 11 mm into the case, interfering with tall coolers. However as another reviewer already described, the fix takes less than 10 minutes and an allen wrench.

The side fan assembly is clamped onto the panel from each side. Unscrew the fan assembly from the inside (that's where you need the allen wrench), pop in 4 washers to keep the screws from passing through the holes (I used 7/16" washers from Hom Dep.), and screw the fan assembly back onto the OUTSIDE of the case. Remember to pass the power lead through the hole into the case before you screw the assembly back on. I chose to leave the fan controller switch on the outside as I like to fine tune fan speeds on the fly.

The whole process takes about 10 minutes and is easier than any of the other steps needed to assemble a custom computer. The side fan now sticks out another 11 mm, but it's already sticking out anyway and the extra is not noticeable.

I don't have one anymore to measure. But what about the Cooler Master V8 with the top shrowd removed on it. Won't look as cool but maybe between the 2 it'll squeeze in.

 

[Saga]

Yup, I've seen that. However I would rather not be forced to mod the case and seal it back up to maintain the engineered cooling. =/ Plus that extra 10mm still won't fit any of the three HSF's listed above.