Stock A64 hsf is too loud. Need something better.

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Gerbil333

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2002
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I'll be running an A64 3200+ Venice. I just built a machine with one and the motherboard would increase the stock hsf to 5000rpm or so during load, and that was loud. For my own system, I want silence. I'll be using a Sonata II, an NB47J with a silent fan, and either a Seasonic or a quiet Enermax PSU (it's cheaper and they're quiet enough for me). I don't want to spend much more than $30-$35.

Is the aluminum XP-90 with a quiet 1500-2000rpm fan my best choice? I also looked at the Thermaltake Venus. All of the reviews indicate that it's loud at full speed. Would it be quiet and run cool when turned all the way down (2000rpm according to the specs)? Am I right that the Silent Boost will actually be no better than the stock hsf?

I'd get a Zalman cooler, but I've heard that they aren't very effective in comparison to the XP-90, and they require more frequent cleaning than other heatsinks or else effectiveness becomes severely hindered.

What's the best option? My goal is cheap and quiet, and at least as cool as the stock hsf. I won't be overclocking, but the ambient temperature in the room may exceed 85F at times.
 
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Algere

Platinum Member
Feb 29, 2004
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Originally posted by: Gerbil333
Is the aluminum XP-90 with a quiet 1500-2000rpm fan my best choice?
Click to expand...
IMHO, yes. I've had the opportunity to use both the 7700-AlCu (one of Zalman's top performing HSF) & XP-90. The XP-90 with Nexus 92mm fan (at 12V) can definitely out perform the 7700-AlCu (lowest fan mate setting) acoustically at similar cooling performance under load.

In addition, the XP-90 is lighter in weight, you're not limited to the fan that comes with the 7000/7700, & if the fan on the 7000/7700 or XP-90 somehow fails, fan replacement is much less complex and/or time consuming on the XP-90.

Originally posted by: Gerbil333
I'd get a Zalman cooler, but I've heard that they aren't very effective in comparison to the XP-90, and they require more frequent cleaning than other heatsinks or else effectiveness becomes severely hindered.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't say the Zalman heatsinks aren't very effective when compared against the XP-90. More like "not as effective" but close & while I can't say it requires frequent cleaning (intake case fans are filtered in my case). You can pretty much imagine that due to Zalman's "flower" HSF design, dust can get trapped near the base (between fan & heatsink) where the fins are more bunched closely together.

Originally posted by: Gerbil333
What's the best option? My goal is cheap and quiet, and at least as cool as the stock hsf. I won't be overclocking, but the ambient temperature in the room may exceed 85F at times.
Click to expand...
1) Quietest option: XP-90 + Nexus 92mm (see add-on option below) for $35: If it needs to be quieter, add a cheap fan controller into the mix. Also add $5 (if not more) for shipping.

2) Flexible option: XP-90 + 92mm fan with good airflow + fan controller.

3) Cheapest option: CNPS7000B-AlCu for $28 shipped. Can't comment on it's performance at >85 F (ambient).
 
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BillyBobJoel71

Platinum Member
Mar 24, 2005
2,610
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71
i have the zalman 7000b cooler and it is really good. it makes hardly any noise over my 6800gt stock fan and blows serious air.
 
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theMan

Diamond Member
Mar 17, 2005
4,386
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0
the thermaltake sonic tower is a huge passive hsf. you can have an optional 120mm fan.
 
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CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
I have an XP-90 and I love it... it cools well with just about ANY fan out there (therefore meaning you can make it as quiet or overkill as you want)

I have a Vantec Stealth on mine, and it works wonderfully.
 
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Stokes

Senior member
Apr 20, 2005
510
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I agree with Algere with his first option. That will be probably the quietest option with a fan. Great performance as well.
 
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Gerbil333

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2002
3,072
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76
I've tried one of my homemade 3pin-4pin 5V mods. The stock fan moves so slowly that I feel no airflow flowing from the CPU heatsink. That's certainly not going to work well when the room temp gets in the high 80s.
 
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l Xes l

Banned
Feb 3, 2005
3,459
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best option is to get a cheap fan controller and adjust it to ur preference... the BEST option..
 
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Aries64

Golden Member
Jul 30, 2004
1,030
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Originally posted by: Gerbil333
I'll be running an A64 3200+ Venice. I just built a machine with one and the motherboard would increase the stock hsf to 5000rpm or so during load, and that was loud. For my own system, I want silence. I'll be using a Sonata II, an NB47J with a silent fan, and either a Seasonic or a quiet Enermax PSU (it's cheaper and they're quiet enough for me). I don't want to spend much more than $30-$35.

Is the aluminum XP-90 with a quiet 1500-2000rpm fan my best choice? I also looked at the Theermaltake Venus. All of the reviews indicate that it's loud at full speed. Would it be quiet and run cool when turned all the way down (2000rpm according to the specs)? Am I right that the Silent Boost will actually be no better than the stock hsf?

I'd get a Zalman cooler, but I've heard that they aren't very effective in comparison to the XP-90, and they require more frequent cleaning than other heatsinks or else effectiveness becomes severely hindered.

What's the best option? My goal is cheap and quiet, and at least as cool as the stock hsf. I won't be overclocking, but the ambient temperature in the room may exceed 85F at times.
Click to expand...
I've never used a Zalman 7700 Series before, but from what I've read on Anandtech and ExtremeSystems.org the XP-90 still has it beat.

I use an XP-90 and a low-flow 92mm Panaflo L1BX (FBA09A12L1BX). This fan is rated at 42.7 CFM, 27dBA, and 2,100 RPM. Very quiet and also features fan speed monitoring. You can plug the fan's 3-pin tail onto the mobo header, or a multi-function device with RPM-monitoring and fan controlling capabilities.

Jabtech sells the XP-90 for $24.95, and on that same page there are drop-down menus' for ordering fans, thermal paste, and Arcticlean cleaner. Please note that while you can choose between three different Panaflos' that are all $8.00 (L1BX w/3-pin tail, M1 w/3-pin tail, and H1 w/3-pin tail) the only Panaflo they sell that features fan monitoring is the L1BX.

You can also opt for the (92mm) Nexus Real Silent Fan (DF1209SL-3) for $10.00 that also features fan monitoring. It comes with male and female 4-pin connectors and a 3-wire tail for fan-monitoring. Its' rated at a super-quiet 19.2dBA, but only 27 CFM at 1,500 RPM. Considering your room ambient can reach 85F I would go with the XP-90 and a Panaflo L1BX, as the Nexus' 27 CFM seems inadequate to me.

Heres a link to the XP-90 page at JabTech:

http://www.jab-tech.com/catalog/Thermalright_XP90__OEM_p_2921.html

BTW, I also used a Thermaltake Venus 7 on my FX-53 for a while. The Venus 7's heatsink is the exact same design and dimensions as the heatsink that came with my Retail FX-53 but is all-copper. The fan specs are different too. Roughly a 10 degree Celcius drop in temp over the FX-53's Retail HSF, but not nearly as good as my XP-90 and Panaflo L1BX. My FX-53 typically idles between 39-45C depending upon room temp (65-75 Farenheit).

 
O

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,508
0
0
Install Speedfan and enable Cool n' Quiet, this will allow you to run the stock fan at minimal speeds at idle.

If that's not enough I'd recommend either the Zalman 7000 ALCu, or Thermalright XP-90 + Panaflo M1A.
 
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keeleysam

Diamond Member
Feb 8, 2005
8,131
0
0
I have the TT Venus 12, and on 100%, it is VERY loud, but on low, it is SILENT, and performcance does not suffer.
 
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Fisher999

Golden Member
Nov 12, 1999
1,670
0
0
:)
Originally posted by: Gerbil333
I'll be running an A64 3200+ Venice. I just built a machine with one and the motherboard would increase the stock hsf to 5000rpm or so during load, and that was loud. For my own system, I want silence. I'll be using a Sonata II, an NB47J with a silent fan, and either a Seasonic or a quiet Enermax PSU (it's cheaper and they're quiet enough for me). I don't want to spend much more than $30-$35.

Is the aluminum XP-90 with a quiet 1500-2000rpm fan my best choice? I also looked at the Theermaltake Venus. All of the reviews indicate that it's loud at full speed. Would it be quiet and run cool when turned all the way down (2000rpm according to the specs)? Am I right that the Silent Boost will actually be no better than the stock hsf?

I'd get a Zalman cooler, but I've heard that they aren't very effective in comparison to the XP-90, and they require more frequent cleaning than other heatsinks or else effectiveness becomes severely hindered.

What's the best option? My goal is cheap and quiet, and at least as cool as the stock hsf. I won't be overclocking, but the ambient temperature in the room may exceed 85F at times.
Click to expand...

You should add a POLL to this thread but it looks like the XP-90 is winning HANDS-DOWN !!!
 
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Gerbil333

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2002
3,072
0
76
I ordered the XP-90 with a Panaflo L1BX 3-Pin fan (27 dBA, 2100rpm, 42cfm) from Jab-Tech. Thanks guys!
 
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Fisher999

Golden Member
Nov 12, 1999
1,670
0
0
Originally posted by: Gerbil333
I ordered the XP-90 with a Panaflo L1BX 3-Pin fan (27 dBA, 2100rpm, 42cfm) from Jab-Tech. Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

You're welcome Gerbil333 !!! I hope it works out well for you; please keep us posted !
 
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GFBeach

Member
Jun 16, 2003
37
0
0
Would you have to remove the motherboard on an A64 system to install an XP-90? I'm thinking about replacing the stock fan on my A64 3000 with something better, but I'd rather not have to take my entire computer apart to do so.
 
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Gerbil333

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2002
3,072
0
76
I think I read a review on Newegg that said you don't have to. For some reason, they include a new mounting plate, but it's the same as the one that comes with the motherboard, so there's no need for it.
 
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Algere

Platinum Member
Feb 29, 2004
2,157
0
0
Originally posted by: GFBeach
Would you have to remove the motherboard on an A64 system to install an XP-90? I'm thinking about replacing the stock fan on my A64 3000 with something better, but I'd rather not have to take my entire computer apart to do so.
Click to expand...
You don't have to remove the motherboard, just replace the existing plastic bracket with Thermalright's & screw it into the backplate.
 
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