Thermalright ULTRA-120 Extreme CPU heatsink.

[ZzZGuy]

Lame pun aside, I'll be getting the Thermalright ULTRA-120 Extreme CPU heat sink mainly because you pick which fan to use, and how many. It also gets good reviews for cooling and I will only be doing moderate OCing.
http://www.ncix.com/products/i...nufacture=THERMALRIGHT

I'll be using either a Slip Stream or Noctua 120mm fan depending on what I can order from my local computer store (Noctua being better IMHO). The two big questions I have is what RPM and should I use just one fan or two fan for a push/pull airflow setup.

I use the two reviews from Silent PC Review (SPCR).
http://www.silentpcreview.com/...e695-page4.html#noctua
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article832-page1.html

Also note that I am assuming that two fans at a low RPM pushing almost as much as one of the same fan at full RPM between the two will make more noise then the single fan at full RPM, based on the noctua review I posted.

Would one fan do the job just fine or will the push/pull setup create enough extra airflow inside the heat sink that it would be worth the extra noise?

Would it even be worth it to have the push/pull fans at full/same RPM as a single one.

My current opinion is to try a single 1,200 RPM fan and add a second one if it isn't enough. If proven that the two fans are useless then replace with a 1,600/1,900 RPM version.

One last note, I'm really only concerned how quiet the fans are at idle unless the noise is so excessive I can hear it over my headphones or others can hear the PC through the walls..

 

[scruffypup]

The TRUE will have more airflow resistance than many heatsinks due to tight fin spacing,... I would not recommend a slip stream since that moves free flowing air well, but doesn't do as well with resistance,... look at the scythe flex

SFF21E (1200 rpm) or SFF21F (1600rpm)

What is going to work best is how much cooling you are looking for, the rest of the case and the noise level you are looking for,...so there is no way to answer if one fan at lower rpm, push/pull setup or higher rpm fan will do it for you since the other questions are still present.

I have a feeling you would be better off with the higher rpm and having the motherboard control it automatically (runs lower at idle), software or a fan controller, and having the extra headroom of ramping up the fan when needed. But again, how much cooling are you wanting, how much noise, what case, what other fans, what other components?

 

[ZzZGuy]

Thanks for the info.

I bought a S-Flex @ 1900 RPM for the heatsink, from the reviews I've looked at (SPCR) the 1900RPM version under volts very nicely. I also got the Noctua NF-P12 Vortex @ 1300 RPM to try as well.

I'll be using the ZM-MFC2 fan speed controller.

 

[chizow]

The reviews I've seen typically show a 2-6C difference in performance with a 2nd fan installed. Its usually enough to pull ahead of the competing HDT products. From personal experience that's about right, 2-6C but more important under load or high voltages.

Also I'd highly recommend lapping both your TRUE and CPU. You might also want to consider using a bolt-through method instead of the including kit, as the stock kit doesn't apply enough pressure imo. In its stock form, my results weren't much better than my Tuniq Tower 120. After lapping and changing the mounting method, I've dropped load temps by 13C in Prime95 Large FFT and 8-10C idle.