TT Big Typhoon vs. Tuniq Tower

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: chizow

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Okay I have been through this with a good friend of mine on these forums.
Up to a point there is a hard and fast technical reason including how many heat pipes...the alloy used......the density of the heat sink....how far apart the fins are from each other...etc....
With that said.....
There are heat sinks from a few years ago that are still very good heat sinks. Even with the advent of the Zalman 9500 and 9700 as well as the larger Tuniq and the Ninja and the new CoolerMaster heat sinks.
Such heat sinks would include the Thermaltake XP90 copper....the older Ar tic Cooling heat sinks....and so on and so on.
Yet you also such name brand companies as ASUS that has some monstrous heat sinks yet when stacked up against the big boys such as Zalman...Scythe...Thermaltake and ThermalRight they are a distant 2ND.....as well as some other brand...
The one surprising brand in my opinion has been the Arctic Cooling series.
They are always affordable yet they offer performance that is comparable to what I would call the big boys of the heat sink world!!
Now the kicker is.....the differences are very very minuscule and a lot of times these other brands as in the Arctic Cooling Series are with 1c-3c of the big boys.
Is there a best of the best?
That's a loaded question because what works in a given system depends on proper airflow throughout the system as well as the heat produced by various components.....then you need to take into account how many components a system has...
We all know that 2 video cards produce more heat than 1....and we all know that 4 hard drives produce more heat than 1 would.

Then we take into account The ambient temperature of the room you are in...etc

There is no hard and fats way to give state with certainty such and such heat sink is the best!!!
That's why I would not switch from a top heat sink say i was using the Thermaltake Typhoon...the improvement in temperature of say 1c-3c even though in degrees Fahrenheit its quite a bit still is not IMO worth it!!
I for one think the heat sink market is one of the few where if you like something because it looks cool well then get it...it will definitely work adequately for you. In the heat sink world BLING works and does not diminish the quality!
Now if you are after super low temps then you will be purchasing more than one heat sink and chasing the golden dream.....but that's alright also!!
Have fun!!

Summary: Different heat sinks have different levels of performance based on design, engineering, and materials used. Over time, certain heat sinks rise above their competition because of the above mentioned attributes. But there's no reason to expect any different performance between them because they're all just expensive heatsinks11onee111!!!!one!

Its funny that you don't see the irony of your comments.

Thanks for the additional links Corsa, I'm sure that guy was just a noobie that didn't think to test them using the same test bed or clean his old HSF though.

First what Irony??? There is no irony...there is no absolute best heatsink for a given system or your reading comprehension is not very good!!
Your summary was not accurate at all. I did not say nor did I imply that --Over time, certain heat sinks rise above their competition because of the above mentioned attributes. But there's no reason to expect any different performance between them because they're all just expensive heatsinks!!

The truth of the matter if for each and every system what works well in your system might not work well in my system!!
I remember when people decided to convert to the Scythe Ninja because in the reviews at the time it was considered the best heat sink bar none!!
Well there are many many posts from people who bought that heat sink and saw NO difference in temperatures from the aftermarket heat sink they were using and others only saw a 1c or 2 c difference.
Why?
Because from system to system its a different beast and there are different variables!
Sure go by the reviews you read on given heat sinks. That what those reviews are for. To be used as a guide. But reviews and practical hands on experience as has been proven in these and other forms time and again are two different animals!
I would rather have somebody post hands on experience any day over a review!!
Its ironic that you cannot grasp this simple rudimentary concept!

http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/zalmancnps9700/index4.php -- results
http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/zalmancnps9700/index5.php
http://www.pro-clockers.com/reviews.php?id=192&page=4 -- see below
Here is a good example of what I am saying about 1c-3c differences in TOP heatsinks...

Cooler -------------------------- Idle Load
Intel Stock -------------------- 35---51
Scythe Andy Samurai Master- 33---46
Scythe Infinity----------------- 32---43
Zalman CNPS9700 (Low) ---- 33---45
Zalman CNPS9700 (High) ---- 32---43
Thermalright Ultra-120 ------- 33---44
(notice the 1c-3c difference even among these heatsink)(note if you look hard enough you can find sites that have heatsink wars from the past)Tests conclude that on the highest setting the CNPS9700 is one of the best coolers that we have tested here at Pro-Clockers. It even draws with the Scythe Infinity, the current king of the hill here at PC. This may not surprise a lot of people as the CNPS9500 performed pretty well itself when we tested it.

Conclusion

The conclusion to this article is that the Zalman CNPS9700 is one great cooler. It performed right up there with the best in the market. the added size definitely makes the 9700 a contender and not a pretender. The installation of the cooler is a little bit improved with the newest mounting system from Zalman. Moving and replacing the 9700 is pretty painless.

One thing that a lot of us would not like about the 9700 is the pricing. The cooler will set you back about $75. At a lower price there are other coolers that perform relatively equally as well. Even the little brother, CNPS9500 is something to think about when looking at Zalman cooler, if you want their superb quality.

So, I am awarding the Zalman CNPS9700 the ?Highly Recommended? award.
************************************
I am not here to argue what I am saying about heatsinks!
What I am saying is true yet what really needs to be understood is its truly a buyers market! You can hardly go wrong with any aftermarket heat sink that you decide to purchase!
Thats why I threw the Arctic Cooling series into my example.....They are very good and quiet(if your into quiet) and fairly priced!!

Now water thats a whole different story; when done right will yield spendid results!!

Good Luck!!

 

[aigomorla]

O M G... since when was air this complicated??

Its almost getting worse then my waterblocks. >.<


Ahahaha.... as yoda states, if your on air, get something cheap and work at tweeking your enviorment rather then tweeking your HSF.

I think thats the whole message brought about.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

what mobo are you gonna run the tuniq tower on? im worried about the nb cooler on mine but i broke my acfreezer7pro tonight(accidental) and need to upgrade my stock cooler

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: HybridSquirrel
what mobo are you gonna run the tuniq tower on? im worried about the nb cooler on mine but i broke my acfreezer7pro tonight(accidental) and need to upgrade my stock cooler

start another thread.....this is somebody elses thread..lol

 

[DrMrLordX]

Originally posted by: corsa
ok kids, enough talk...

SuperCoolers Review @ X-bit labs

XP-120, Ninja, Tuniq Tower & Big Typhoon, various fans,various configurations.

Seconded, I only wish the reviewer had included the Ultra-120 and maybe the CNPS9700

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: DrMrLordX

Originally posted by: corsa
ok kids, enough talk...

SuperCoolers Review @ X-bit labs

XP-120, Ninja, Tuniq Tower & Big Typhoon, various fans,various configurations.

Seconded, I only wish the reviewer had included the Ultra-120 and maybe the CNPS9700

It really doesn`t matter what X BIT`s labs says about coolers. They are a nice site as are others...such as..
http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/zalmancnps9700/index4.php -- results
http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/zalmancnps9700/index5.php
http://www.pro-clockers.com/reviews.php?id=192&page=4 -- see below
Here is a good example of what I am saying about 1c-3c differences in TOP heatsinks...

Cooler -------------------------- Idle Load
Intel Stock -------------------- 35---51
Scythe Andy Samurai Master- 33---46
Scythe Infinity----------------- 32---43
Zalman CNPS9700 (Low) ---- 33---45
Zalman CNPS9700 (High) ---- 32---43
Thermalright Ultra-120 ------- 33---44
(notice the 1c-3c difference even among these heatsink)(note if you look hard enough you can find sites that have heatsink wars from the past)Tests conclude that on the highest setting the CNPS9700 is one of the best coolers that we have tested here at Pro-Clockers. It even draws with the Scythe Infinity, the current king of the hill here at PC. This may not surprise a lot of people as the CNPS9500 performed pretty well itself when we tested it.

Again a review is to used as a guideline...you shoul;d not expect to get the same results which they got under a controlled environment....

Is that so hard to understand DrMrLordX?

Real world experience is always better.
The variables change from system to system....by variables I mean....
ambient temps....number of harddrives......airflow configuration or lack of air flow....eyc...

Have fun!!

 

[DrMrLordX]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda

Is that so hard to understand DrMrLordX?

First off, the pro-clockers link you gave kinda stinks. They never even listed which fan they used with the Ultra-120. Secondly, the tweaknews test has too few coolers and too few fans in contrast with the fantasic review corsa linked (check his second link, I don't care about the first one much). All I did was agree with corsa in that the second link he gave is one of the most informative HSF links I've ever seen. And based on its findings, one of the best HSF/fan combos you can use is the original Big Typhoon with a 100+ cfm fan (though the 150 cfm fan doesn't help much, if at all). The Typhoon with Sanyo Denki fan (102 cfm) bests the Tuniq Tower (stock fan) by 3C, which is pretty good. Using the 150 cfm Delta fan, it's 4C better than the Tuniq.

I wanted the CNPS9700 and Ultra-120 in the comparison to see how they handled the 102 cfm and 150 cfm fans.

If I had to guess at how well the Big Typhoon + Sanyo Denki combo fared against the CNPS9700 w/ stock fan . . .

Based on the tweaknews article, the CNPS9700 beats the CNPS9500 by 2C at max fan speed (100% CPU load). The Tuniq Tower 120 beats the CNPS9500 by 7.5C at max fan speed (100% CPU load) according to x-bit labs, so therefore the Tuniq Tower beats the CNPS9700 by 5.5C at max fan speed (100% CPU load). Then, according to the Universal Abit Forums post, the Thermaltake Big Typhoon + Sanyo Denki combo beats the Tuniq Tower 120 at max fan speed (100% CPU load) by 3C, meaning the Thermaltake Big Typhoon + Sanyo Denki beats the CNPS9700LED by 8.5C.

Cost of CNPS9700: $65+
Cost of Big Typhoon + ~100cfm fan (Sanyo Denki, Silverstone FM121, etc): ~$50

Therefore, I conclude that the CNPS9700 sucks with its stock fan. I want to see more data on it though . . . and I still want more data on the Ultra-120 with the 150, 190, and 220cfm Delta fans (get yer earplugs).

Real world experience is always better.

Real world experience is exactly what you get in a good, thorough review.

The variables change from system to system....by variables I mean....
ambient temps....number of harddrives......airflow configuration or lack of air flow....eyc...

We should generally assume that anyone serious enough to pick the best HSF/fan combo will first ensure top-notch case airflow. If they don't, too bad for them. If they don't while doing a review, too bad for us.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: DrMrLordX

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda

Is that so hard to understand DrMrLordX?

First off, the pro-clockers link you gave kinda stinks. They never even listed which fan they used with the Ultra-120. Secondly, the tweaknews test has too few coolers and too few fans in contrast with the fantasic review corsa linked (check his second link, I don't care about the first one much). All I did was agree with corsa in that the second link he gave is one of the most informative HSF links I've ever seen. And based on its findings, one of the best HSF/fan combos you can use is the original Big Typhoon with a 100+ cfm fan (though the 150 cfm fan doesn't help much, if at all). The Typhoon with Sanyo Denki fan (102 cfm) bests the Tuniq Tower (stock fan) by 3C, which is pretty good. Using the 150 cfm Delta fan, it's 4C better than the Tuniq.

I wanted the CNPS9700 and Ultra-120 in the comparison to see how they handled the 102 cfm and 150 cfm fans.

If I had to guess at how well the Big Typhoon + Sanyo Denki combo fared against the CNPS9700 w/ stock fan . . .

Based on the tweaknews article, the CNPS9700 beats the CNPS9500 by 2C at max fan speed (100% CPU load). The Tuniq Tower 120 beats the CNPS9500 by 7.5C at max fan speed (100% CPU load) according to x-bit labs, so therefore the Tuniq Tower beats the CNPS9700 by 5.5C at max fan speed (100% CPU load). Then, according to the Universal Abit Forums post, the Thermaltake Big Typhoon + Sanyo Denki combo beats the Tuniq Tower 120 at max fan speed (100% CPU load) by 3C, meaning the Thermaltake Big Typhoon + Sanyo Denki beats the CNPS9700LED by 8.5C.

Cost of CNPS9700: $65+
Cost of Big Typhoon + ~100cfm fan (Sanyo Denki, Silverstone FM121, etc): ~$50

Therefore, I conclude that the CNPS9700 sucks with its stock fan. I want to see more data on it though . . . and I still want more data on the Ultra-120 with the 150, 190, and 220cfm Delta fans (get yer earplugs).

Real world experience is always better.

Real world experience is exactly what you get in a good, thorough review.

The variables change from system to system....by variables I mean....
ambient temps....number of harddrives......airflow configuration or lack of air flow....eyc...

We should generally assume that anyone serious enough to pick the best HSF/fan combo will first ensure top-notch case airflow. If they don't, too bad for them. If they don't while doing a review, too bad for us.

Real wordl experience from real world people not some company that is doing reviews....
You never ever use on published article about a given heatsink as gospel...
Take a look at when the Zalman 9500 came out SPCR gave it a less than glowing review due to the noise factor...
XBit and others gave it a better review and some sites even said the noise was not that noticeable...
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/5-cool_24.html

We should generally assume what?
Reviews are just that reviews they are nothing more than a guideline that can be used when purchasing a heatsink!

I have never ever seen a reviewer state that if you purchase such and such a heatsink you will get the same results that the reviewer got...have you?

So its obvious that reviews are meant to be used as a guideline to help you purchase a given PSU with no guarantees as to the results you will get!

I for one have not touted nor will I be as nieve as others to believe there is one BEST heatsink that rises to the top over everyother heatsink!

Now in defence of the Zalman 9700 heatsink.....do a google search...heck Maximum PC Mag as well as other mags have rated it right up there with what we would say are the better heatsinks.....

Now if what you are sayin g is 100% true that you can use reviews to make good solid heatsink purchases and be confident that you will get the results in the reviews why then do so many people purchase these SUPER heatsinks and then post that they see little to no imporvement in there temps??

No excuses that its obvious they did not instsall the heatsink correct or they did properly apply thermal compound!!

Shalom!!

 

[DrMrLordX]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda

Real wordl experience from real world people not some company that is doing reviews....

Bollocks. Good reviews show you the function of a particular heatsink in a testbed with close-to-optimal airflow (i.e. a level of airflow beyond which no further benefit can be reasonably obtained by increasing airflow). Any review done in a case with poor airflow or on some open-air testbed is really not giving good information unless there is some specific element of the review that forces the reviewer to endure the aforementioned conditions (example: review of HSFs for use in small htpc machines).

Other variables must also be considered, such as whether or not the hsf fan is set to push or pull (or suck/blow such as on the Big Typhoon), whether or not the case is configured for overpressure or underpressure, etc. A good review would either test all of these possibilities or settle on whichever configuration provides the best overall HSF performance for each tested HSF and record results under those conditions.

Nevertheless, a good review done with a nice, simple testbed with close-to-optimal airflow gives me much better data than that which I can obtain from users in the "real world" working under less ideal conditions. When the HSF is not the only factor limiting one's ability to keep the CPU cool, it is difficult to gauge the true effectiveness of the HSF.

You never ever use on published article about a given heatsink as gospel...

I'll take any information I can get. Something is better than nothing. I'll also take good, thorough reviews over obviously flawed reviews.

Take a look at when the Zalman 9500 came out SPCR gave it a less than glowing review due to the noise factor...
XBit and others gave it a better review and some sites even said the noise was not that noticeable...
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/5-cool_24.html

Noise is an intangible that is affected by so many variables that results from one review to another tend to vary wildly. For this reason, it is best to get fan noise specs from the manufacturer. Sadly, too few reviews show the specs on fans that come packaged with HSFs.

We should generally assume what?
Reviews are just that reviews they are nothing more than a guideline that can be used when purchasing a heatsink!

Your point being? Even vague information is better than making baseless assumptions, such as "all HSFs that cost $45 or more work the same" (yes, I made that up). If the reviews are good, they should tell us how well the HSF will work provided we don't force the HSF to work in a restricted airflow situation.

I have never ever seen a reviewer state that if you purchase such and such a heatsink you will get the same results that the reviewer got...have you?

They don't need to state that. If you build the same rig they used as a testbed, however, you should expect the same results. As an intelligent PC builder, you should be able to estimate how performance of the HSF will vary based on a comparison of airflow dynamics between your rig and the testbed. That's what the reviews are for, ultimately.

So its obvious that reviews are meant to be used as a guideline to help you purchase a given PSU with no guarantees as to the results you will get!

PSU? I'll assume you meant HSF.

I for one have not touted nor will I be as nieve as others to believe there is one BEST heatsink that rises to the top over everyother heatsink!

The only factors which prevent one particular HSF from being "the best" are:

noise
performance with add-on fans

With stock fan, the Tuniq Tower 120 is "the best" when it comes to raw performance. With add-on fans, the best results I've seen recorded have been from the Big Typhoon. The Ultra-120 is a question mark, though I've seen hints that it does exceptionally well with 150+ cfm fans. This isn't taking into account that some crazies out there will strap two fans on a HSF, though this rarely helps unless you've got some kind of air guide/wind tunnel . . . but I don't want to get into that mess.

Now in defence of the Zalman 9700 heatsink.....do a google search...heck Maximum PC Mag as well as other mags have rated it right up there with what we would say are the better heatsinks.....

PC mags = bleh
I've done google searches. I remain unimpressed. Even the articles you showed me don't cast the HSF in a particularly favorable light given other available data. That being said, I haven't seen any results from the CNPS9700 with an add-on fan. However, the CNPS9700 scarcely outperforms the CNPS9500, and the 9500 gets completely owned by the Tuniq Tower 120, so what more do you want to know?

Now if what you are sayin g is 100% true that you can use reviews to make good solid heatsink purchases and be confident that you will get the results in the reviews why then do so many people purchase these SUPER heatsinks and then post that they see little to no imporvement in there temps??

1). Poor case airflow
2). Turbulence issues
3). High ambient temperature
4). Improper fan position/fan can't be positioned optimally given motherboard/case used

Most people who get poor performance out of good HSFs have airflow issues of one sort or another. Sometimes it's the fault of the case, sometimes it's the fault of the builder.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Bottom line is you are trying to say that there is a best heatsink and that the reason people say they are not getting any better temps switching from one top of the line heqatsink is because of the 4 issues....
Thats just not true!!! I am talking about those who already have say the Thermaltake xp90 aluminum heatsink and then switch to the Ninja or the Typhoon...

Of course your 4 reason could apply to those who have switched from stack heatsink to a custom aftermarket heatsink!!

I have exceleent temps on a 3 of my computers! I have over 20 heatsinks and have used them all at one time or another. On my systems I am currently using the Zalman 9500 and the 9700 as well as the thermalRight XP 120. I have 3 Scythe heatsinks and the Tuniq Tower as well as the ThermalTake Typhoon and the Therma;Right Ultra 120 as well as the SI 120 and a XP 90 copper.....all the top heatsink bar none on my sytems have a 1-5c difference in temps depending on what heatsink I use!!

All your examples are just preaching to the choir!!

You are entitled to your opinions even if they are wrong about the Zalman 9500 and the 9700.
Even your beloved XBits gave both a real good rating...so I guess you are partial to one brand and one brand so good luck!!

There are alot of top quality good brands of heatsinks and what i said stands even more true - you cannot go wrong with almost any after market heatsink!
There is no best of the best.
From each PC to another the variables are so fifferent that what works well for one might be crap for another...

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda 09/11/2006 02:19 AM
I have used the SI--120 and the XP90 copper as well as the XP--120 and the Ultra......
There is hardly any real discernable differences in temps....
Again there are so many variables from case to case that what works real well for one person perhaps might not work as well for others.

Since there are so many top quality heatsinks unlike a few years ago when there were only a few ral good heatsinks times have changed.

You just cannot make a blanket statement concerning one top heat sink verses other top heat sinks.

people are saying the ThermalRight Ultra and the Tuniq are the best but I read other forums and thats just not the case. Both are excellent heat sinks i own about a dozen heatsinks including the 2 I mentioned.

To the OP get any of the therRight heatsinks or even the Scythe Ninja or any of th Scythe heatsinks or the Tuniq Tower or the zalman 9500.....you can`t go wrong with any of these i have mentioned and there are others that are also good...Arctic Freezer makes some nice heatsinks!!

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda 02/05/2007 12:58 AM
Bottom line is you are trying to say that there is a best heatsink and that the reason people say they are not getting any better temps switching from one top of the line heqatsink is because of the 4 issues....
Thats just not true!!! I am talking about those who already have say the Thermaltake xp90 aluminum heatsink and then switch to the Ninja or the Typhoon...

Of course your 4 reason could apply to those who have switched from stack heatsink to a custom aftermarket heatsink!!

I have exceleent temps on a 3 of my computers! I have over 20 heatsinks and have used them all at one time or another. On my systems I am currently using the Zalman 9500 and the 9700 as well as the thermalRight XP 120. I have 3 Scythe heatsinks and the Tuniq Tower as well as the ThermalTake Typhoon and the Therma;Right Ultra 120 as well as the SI 120 and a XP 90 copper.....all the top heatsink bar none on my sytems have a 1-5c difference in temps depending on what heatsink I use!!

All your examples are just preaching to the choir!!

You are entitled to your opinions even if they are wrong about the Zalman 9500 and the 9700.
Even your beloved XBits gave both a real good rating...so I guess you are partial to one brand and one brand so good luck!!

There are alot of top quality good brands of heatsinks and what i said stands even more true - you cannot go wrong with almost any after market heatsink!
There is no best of the best.
From each PC to another the variables are so fifferent that what works well for one might be crap for another...

Um... can you explain this, please?

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda 09/11/2006 02:19 AM
I have used the SI--120 and the XP90 copper as well as the XP--120 and the Ultra......
There is hardly any real discernable differences in temps....
Again there are so many variables from case to case that what works real well for one 9500.....you can`t go wrong with any of these i have mentioned and there are others that are also good...Arctic Freezer makes some nice heatsinks!!

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda 02/05/2007 12:58 AM
Bottom line is you are trying to say that there is a best heatsink and that the reason ] I have over 20 heatsinks and have used them all at one time or another. On my
There are alot of top quality good brands of heatsinks and what i said stands even more true - you cannot go wrong with almost any after market heatsink!
There is no best of the best.
From each PC to another the variables are so fifferent that what works well for one might be crap for another...

Um... can you explain this, please?

Vin, give up, Yoda is a AIR HSF packrat. He's probably one out of two people i'll really believe with AIR HSF. Next being operandi.

You'll lose if you continue on this tipic with yoda.

Its like trying to fight with me on water. If you want a comparision.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda 09/11/2006 02:19 AM
I have used the SI--120 and the XP90 copper as well as the XP--120 and the Ultra......
There is hardly any real discernable differences in temps....
Again there are so many variables from case to case that what works real well for one person perhaps might not work as well for others.

Since there are so many top quality heatsinks unlike a few years ago when there were only a few ral good heatsinks times have changed.

You just cannot make a blanket statement concerning one top heat sink verses other top heat sinks.

people are saying the ThermalRight Ultra and the Tuniq are the best but I read other forums and thats just not the case. Both are excellent heat sinks i own about a dozen heatsinks including the 2 I mentioned.

To the OP get any of the therRight heatsinks or even the Scythe Ninja or any of th Scythe heatsinks or the Tuniq Tower or the zalman 9500.....you can`t go wrong with any of these i have mentioned and there are others that are also good...Arctic Freezer makes some nice heatsinks!!

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda 02/05/2007 12:58 AM
Bottom line is you are trying to say that there is a best heatsink and that the reason people say they are not getting any better temps switching from one top of the line heqatsink is because of the 4 issues....
Thats just not true!!! I am talking about those who already have say the Thermaltake xp90 aluminum heatsink and then switch to the Ninja or the Typhoon...

Of course your 4 reason could apply to those who have switched from stack heatsink to a custom aftermarket heatsink!!

I have exceleent temps on a 3 of my computers! I have over 20 heatsinks and have used them all at one time or another. On my systems I am currently using the Zalman 9500 and the 9700 as well as the thermalRight XP 120. I have 3 Scythe heatsinks and the Tuniq Tower as well as the ThermalTake Typhoon and the Therma;Right Ultra 120 as well as the SI 120 and a XP 90 copper.....all the top heatsink bar none on my sytems have a 1-5c difference in temps depending on what heatsink I use!!

All your examples are just preaching to the choir!!

You are entitled to your opinions even if they are wrong about the Zalman 9500 and the 9700.
Even your beloved XBits gave both a real good rating...so I guess you are partial to one brand and one brand so good luck!!

There are alot of top quality good brands of heatsinks and what i said stands even more true - you cannot go wrong with almost any after market heatsink!
There is no best of the best.
From each PC to another the variables are so fifferent that what works well for one might be crap for another...

Um... can you explain this, please?

Vin I have my heatsonk collection sitting on my bedroom table......
I have both Zalman 9500 and the 9700 and the CNPS 7500 as well as the ThermalRight XP120...XP 90copper as well as rgw SI 120 and the Ultra 120.....
I have the Scythe Ninja and the Kamakiri as well as the Mine..
I also have the ThermalTake Big Typhoon as well as the Blur Orb 2 and the Sonic Tower which looks wicked!!
I own the Arctic Cooling Freezer pro64 as well as the Freezer 64 which has been discontinued...
I also own the ASUS Star Ice and the ASUS Silent Sqaure Pro..
Then I have a few coolerMaster heatsinks. I just purchased the Mars and I had the Hyper6 + just to name a few of the heatsinks I own.

Its sort of like a disease.......I love the many many varied heatsink!!


Yeah at last count I guess it is more like approx 20....

But who is counting...
Actually I did have around a dozen or so back in Originally posted by: JEDIYoda 09/11/2006 02:19 AM - i own about a dozen heatsinks
key word being about....

But now-- Originally posted by: JEDIYoda 02/05/2007 12:58 AM -- I have over 20 heatsinks
It`s a real fun and interesting hobby to have.......

Yet noe I have purchased a few more since then --

 

[DrMrLordX]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda

I have exceleent temps on a 3 of my computers! I have over 20 heatsinks and have used them all at one time or another. On my systems I am currently using the Zalman 9500 and the 9700 as well as the thermalRight XP 120. I have 3 Scythe heatsinks and the Tuniq Tower as well as the ThermalTake Typhoon and the Therma;Right Ultra 120 as well as the SI 120 and a XP 90 copper.....all the top heatsink bar none on my sytems have a 1-5c difference in temps depending on what heatsink I use!!

First off, I have no idea why or how you wound up with that many heatsinks unless you're piling up used stuff from a crazy IT department or run your own hardware review site.

With that much accumulated hardware, it would be interesting if you would do your own HSF roundup. Seriously, that's a lot of hardware. Done right, you could get a lot of information out to the public, though I have to wonder why you would only get a 1-5c difference when switching from an XP-90c to a Tuniq Tower 120.

All your examples are just preaching to the choir!!

Okay . . .

You are entitled to your opinions even if they are wrong about the Zalman 9500 and the 9700.

Am I entitled to them if I'm right? Btw, the price on the CNPS9700 is still obscene, no matter how much people might or might not like it.

Even your beloved XBits gave both a real good rating...so I guess you are partial to one brand and one brand so good luck!!

Which brand would that me? Sunbeam? Thermaltake? Sanyo Denki? Also, I don't know why you think I love Xbits so much. I gave high praise to the review by a user on the Universal Abit Forums. The Xbits benchmark featuring the Tuniq Tower 120 was okay, but it still didn't have as much comparative data as I would have liked.

There is no best of the best.
From each PC to another the variables are so fifferent that what works well for one might be crap for another...

But there is a "best of the best". Each HSF thrives under its own ideal airflow environment. If you place every aftermarket HSF in a case with an ideal airflow/turbulence configuration, you'll get optimal results from each HSF. And one HSF/fan combo will rise above all others.

The problem is, as you said, that one HSF might work differently in two different machines. Unfortunately, you seem to be making the assumption that there's something about the HSF which makes it function differently for different people. This is not true. The difference is in the case environment in which the HSF is installed. People who put an HSF into their system which is poorly configured will not get optimal cooling from the HSF. If you really want an HSF to work at its best, you have to build your entire case and cooling strategy around it (or conversely, if you want the best HSF for your case/fan/shroud/etc setup, you need to pick your HSF based on your case layout).

My case is . . . well it's not impressive, but it's an el-cheapo case designed for use with P4s (among other things). It had one of those exhaust ducts on the side of the case (now removed, replaced with fan) that was designed to let P4 heatsinks that have a fan mounted on top to blow hot air directly out of the case or to pull cool air from outside of the case inwards while blowing air down onto the CPU. If I had to pick an aftermarket HSF for this case, it'd be the TT Big Typhoon, hands down, because it also has the blow/suck configuration that would work well with the duct (in fact, I should probably reinstall the duct one of these days but . . . I'm lazy). If I put a Tuniq Tower 120 - which in stock fan configurations is superior in almost every way to the Big Typhoon - I would probably see little improvement over the Big Typhoon. In fact, the Big Typhoon might even work better for me. Why? The Tuniq Tower 120 has a fan that blows across the top of the CPU which is a configuration that favors cases with steady airflow moving into and out of the case through front intakes and rear/top exhausts. My case has a pathetically weak exhaust (just a dinky 80mm fan) that is not ideally positioned to handle the exhaust that would come from the Tuniq Tower 120, so it's reasonable to assume that the Tuniq would have more trouble getting its exhaust out of the case than would the Big Typhoon.

However, just because the Big Typhoon would probably work better in cases like mine doesn't make it better. It just means that my case has crap for airflow.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Vin I have my heatsonk collection sitting on my bedroom table......

Its sort of like a disease.......I love the many many varied heatsink!!

Heh!

Okay, my man, I understand now! We all have demons to fight...

With some ppl it's porno... others it's food, et cetera.

I can think of worse addictions than 'air coolers'!

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: aigomorla
Vin, give up, Yoda is a AIR HSF packrat. He's probably one out of two people i'll really believe with AIR HSF. Next being operandi.

I don't have ANY problems with JEDIYoda! He's been on my 'Buddies List' since I've been here...

I just thought it was odd that he had 11 heatsinks 3 months ago, and 21 heatsinks now -- that's all.

On topic, since all heatsinks are the same... I'll take Tuniq Tower 120s, thank you, until something better comes along...

According to Yoda, I guess I'm set for life!

 

[herbiehancock]

First, I agree the Tuniq Tower is an impressive cooler and seems to best all the rest out there, as long as you can stand its noise level. It does best at its highest rpm setting, 2000 if I remember correctly, but carries with that a bit of noise.....over 34dB, again if I remember correctly....could be higher.

Second, I remember reading that XBit Labs test of the TT 120 cooler, but I found one thing in that review a little off-putting. The reviewer really didn't test it against anything, just tested it by itself and then pulled previous test results out as comparisons. Now, he said everything was exactly the same, but you and I both know with a few months time passage between testing cycles, no matter how hard you try to replicate the sameness of everything, you aren't going to get everything exactly the same. Even using the same isolation chamber, thermal compound, power supply, cpu.....whatever......time has passed and all the parts have been used, so maybe the power supply wasn't quite putting out exactly the same voltage, or the cpu was acting just a tad different, or the motherboard was aged a bit more, or he was applying the TIM a slight bit differently and didn't even know it. I think that while the comparison is good, it's not exactly what is being represented.

The difference in almost all the supercoolers, at least from the reading I've done, is just a few degrees C. The ulitmate oveclocking achieved with all the various coolers amounts to a spread of a few hundred mHz. Now, if being able to OC your cpu that extra 100mHz is that critical, go for the TT 120. On the other hand, silence IS golden and I can live with a couple of degrees less performance to save my ears......and then there's the weight issue. Over 2 pounds????? No thanks!!! I want my motherboard's traces to last, thank you very much! I've seen so much bowing of motherboards from these oversized air coolers that I begin to worry about long-term reliability of, not the cooler, but of the motherboard that is supporting the excessive strain on it.

Eh, the TT 120 is a great cooler, so is the Infinity, and the Ninja, and the Mine, and the Ultra 120, and the 9700, and the SI-128, and the Zerotherm BTF 80/90, and the NH-U12, and the Big Typhoon.......among others. Pick one and be happy.

Of course, if you really want to do it right, H2O is the way to do it!

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: herbiehancock
......and then there's the weight issue. Over 2 pounds????? No thanks!!!

Heh!

And, you were doing sooooo good!

Almost had me convinced...

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: aigomorla
Vin, give up, Yoda is a AIR HSF packrat. He's probably one out of two people i'll really believe with AIR HSF. Next being operandi.

I don't have ANY problems with JEDIYoda! He's been on my 'Buddies List' since I've been here...

I just thought it was odd that he had 11 heatsinks 3 months ago, and 21 heatsinks now -- that's all.

On topic, since all heatsinks are the same... I'll take Tuniq Tower 120s, thank you, until something better comes along...

According to Yoda, I guess I'm set for life!

I also have the Tuniq and I felt IMO that it was on par with the 9700....
My personnal preference do not include the Tuniq but over all you really cannot go wrong using the Tuniq...
Then there water........

 

[aigomorla]

The Tuniq Tower is suposed to be the high high end of Air cooling. So is the CPS 9700.

I really dont think the 1-3C in temps difference on LOAD is worth shifting sidways to another HSF.

However swifftech's APEX220 H2O kit has shown and proved to be 5C+ cooler on load temps.

And honestly, idle temps are worthless. They just show how close you can get to ambient, and how well your contact is. The load temps are what matters, and as i will state again, No one has yet to challange my load temps on water


Of course if someone thats on TEC or Phase is probably going to step up to me, and then i'll lose horribly.

You cant beat sub degree temps, period.

 

[herbiehancock]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: herbiehancock
......and then there's the weight issue. Over 2 pounds????? No thanks!!!

Heh!

And, you were doing sooooo good!

Almost had me convinced...

Wasn't trying to convice anyone of anything. If you're going to buy one over another, you're going to buy it.

But the 2 pound reference is not stupid......

Taken directly from Anandtech's review of the TT 120:

At 798g without the fan you will find the final operating weight of the Tuniq 120 close to a kilogram (2.2 lbs).

So, my reference to the 2 pound weight of the cooler is most in line with what is true....the cooler, mounted and operating, is almost a kilogram or around 2 pounds.

Remember, the recommended max weight for motherboards, AM2 or C2D, is currently around 450gm (or around 14-15 ounces depending upon the conversion factor you use.....some use 28gm=1 oz, some use 30gm=1oz.), so these oversized coolers tend to be double in weight. That's probably not too important for cases that don't move a lot, but for a LAN case, I'd imagine there could be durability issues down the road. And by durability I'm not referring to the cooler, but to the traces on the motherboards that are being overloaded and bowing under the extra weight of these coolers. They can and do bend boards....pictures of just such occurences abound across forums like XtremeSystems forums, for example.

In all honesty, any of the coolers I mentioned should do anyone great.....and the difference between the best and worst out of my list is probably not going to amount to more than a couple of degrees C. If you're air cooling and want the max, the TT 120 is the answer....if not, any of them is a decent alternative.