SWIFTECH MCX4000B vs Zalman 7000 al/cu

[McArra]

Is worth the price difference for a p4c 2600 that I want to oc to 3,5ghz ?

If that Zalman performs like a slk800 I'll go for it.... What do you think?

 

[virtuamike]

Depends on the fan really. Beauty of the Zalman is that it's not affected as much by fan deadspot, it's pretty damn effective considering how quiet it is. On the other hand, slap a Delta or Tornado on the Swiftech and you'll see a 3C drop (according to reviews I've read). Thermalright SP94 is putting out better numbers though.

 

[McArra]

Thermalright is not an option here.... shops don't sell it. I've read some very good reviews on zalman 7000cu/al... I think I'll go for it. Any other thoughts?

Thanks for the reply

 

[hytek369]

i would get the 7000cu, pure copper is better IMO

 

[wicktron]

Originally posted by: hytek369
i would get the 7000cu, pure copper is better IMO

The Cu is only marginally better than the AlCu (1-2C at best), yet is heavier and more expensive.

 

[virtuamike]

Originally posted by: wicktron

Originally posted by: hytek369
i would get the 7000cu, pure copper is better IMO

The Cu is only marginally better than the AlCu (1-2C at best), yet is heavier and more expensive.

Actually I read a review where the Cu was cooler under no load but that the AlCU did a better job of cooling (about 1C) under heavy load, evidently because the Al is better at dissipating heat at higher temps.

Zalman is a very good choice, easy on the ears.

 

[joe2004]

Actually I read a review where the Cu was cooler under no load but that the AlCU did a better job of cooling (about 1C) under heavy load, evidently because the Al is better at dissipating heat at higher temps.

I seriously doubt that.
On the other hand, I have two Zalmans and I would recommend to avoid them altogether. Main reason is that they are inferior to Thermalrights and TT Venus 12 and that the fan cannot be replaced. When it goes off you can throw the whole heatsink in the trash. For a $30-40 investment that is not attractive idea to me.

 

[virtuamike]

Originally posted by: joe2004

Actually I read a review where the Cu was cooler under no load but that the AlCU did a better job of cooling (about 1C) under heavy load, evidently because the Al is better at dissipating heat at higher temps.

I seriously doubt that.
On the other hand, I have two Zalmans and I would recommend to avoid them altogether. Main reason is that they are inferior to Thermalrights and TT Venus 12 and that the fan cannot be replaced. When it goes off you can throw the whole heatsink in the trash. For a $30-40 investment that is not attractive idea to me.

Linky

Other comparison reviews I've seen show that the AlCu and the Al run at almost identical speeds. Haven't seen a fan go out on a Zalman yet, but at the rate I upgrade I'll probably have a new mobo/cpu before the Zalman fails on me.

As far as Thermalrights go, they're great if you have the money AND if you run a high CFM fan. The Zalman will outperform the Thermalright in quiet applications especially if you're using a 92mm on the Thermalright because fan deadspot is very evident at low RPMs. No point in spending $50 for a Thermalright + Panaflo or Papst when the Zalman cools just as good if not better for $15-$20 less. Me, I'm trying to save my ears, so quiet is a definite plus for me.

 

[joe2004]

I read the review and look at the diagram, CU line is always above the AlCU for 1-3C. Only time when they are about to be close is at the lowest fan speed which is of course not something that I shall ever use, else I would keep the retail heatsink.

Zalman will always be behind Thermalright with the same fan. Thermalrights aren't that expensive, compared to Zalman plus you obviously have a clear choice of fan you want, unlike with Zalman. Fans aren't that expensive as heatsink, you can get a decent fan for $5, excellent fan like TT smart fans are less than $10 as well.

Of course if the major objective is to be quiet then Zalman is a good choice. I said the only thing that bugs me is what to do with heatsink once the fan is dead. I have two Zalmans and will not buy another one exactly for that reason.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: hytek369[/i]
i would get the 7000cu, pure copper is better IMO

On top of the fact that many reviews have shown the performance is almost identical with some ALCU version is faster. If you ever need to move your cpu, you must take it off with a copper version in travel. And did you forget that copper oxidizes over time, which reduces its effectiveness? Especially if the price difference for him is more than $5 i'd go for the aluminum-copper version.

 

[virtuamike]

Originally posted by: joe2004
I read the review and look at the diagram, CU line is always above the AlCU for 1-3C. Only time when they are about to be close is at the lowest fan speed which is of course not something that I shall ever use, else I would keep the retail heatsink.

Zalman will always be behind Thermalright with the same fan. Thermalrights aren't that expensive, compared to Zalman plus you obviously have a clear choice of fan you want, unlike with Zalman. Fans aren't that expensive as heatsink, you can get a decent fan for $5, excellent fan like TT smart fans are less than $10 as well.

Of course if the major objective is to be quiet then Zalman is a good choice. I said the only thing that bugs me is what to do with heatsink once the fan is dead. I have two Zalmans and will not buy another one exactly for that reason.

Ummm, doesn't higher line mean higher temp? I thought the whole point to cooling was to get lower temps.

Zalman vs Swiftech vs Thermalright

Again, review begs to differ. Zalman beats competition running 80mm and 92mm quiet fans (35.3C @ 3.2GHz, compare to temps of Swiftech and Thermalright running quiet 80mm and 92mm). Check the noise and CFM specs, they're just about the same. Orb design is flat out better at cooling because it minimizes effect of fan deadspot.

I've used TT Smart Fans in a couple systems, they're insanely loud. You're comparing apples to watermelons at that point.

The NB fan on my IC7 failed in less than 3 months. My Zalman is still going strong. I bought them both in July. For the price of a Thermalright SP-94 and a decent $10 fan to go with it, I could've bought 2 Zalman AlCu's. Zalman doing a good enough job of cooling that I can run my 2.4C at 3.3GHz (278FSB) at 100F room temp with no case fans running in my PC (about 120F ambient) with Prime95 running 24 hours (my version of stress testing under extreme conditions). Sure I could get a SP-94 and a Vantec Tornado to go with it, run it max speed and make my system sound like a jet, but for that extra $30 do you really think I'm going to get that much higher than 278FSB?

Big difference in building PCs for benchmarks vs building PCs for daily use.