What is the Best AMD Athlon 64 (Socket 939) Heatsink?

[ao]

Is it the THERMALRIGHT XP-90C? The XP-120? Or is it something else? Let me know your opinions.

 

[frank84]

it all depends what you want to get out of the cpu...

for example...
planning to do OC?
you want quietness?
or whatever...

 

[ao]

Man, I'm never specific enough--sorry. I meant the best heatsink for overclocking as much as possible with air cooling.

 

[frank84]

http://www.svc.com/xp-90c-21.html

 

[Hurricane Andrew]

Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 as seen here. They're darn CHEAP, cool very well, and are so quiet, you can hear the platters on your hard drive spinning away...

 

[imported_Kensai]

I'll suggest an XP-90C, an XP-120 or a Zalman 7700Cu.

 

[IntegraGSR]

xp-90, xp-90c, and xp-120 seem to have the best numbers..

xp-120 - original design, very big, pretty light, 1-3C better than xp-90, lots of compatibility issues with motherboards and cases.
xp-90 - new & improved version of xp-120, very light, compatible with most motherboards
xp-90c - the most efficient for cooling, but almost twice the weight of the xp-90 and $15-20 more for only a few degrees.

xp-90c would be the best choice for those who want to pay the extra for a very small difference, xp-90 however is best for most if you want were to get an xp-120 and one of those ultra extreme delta 120mm fans with 220+cfm, i imagine it would outperform the others by a pretty good bit

 

[KoolDrew]

Something from Thermalright.

 

[scsi drv1]

Thermaltake Venus 12
(5500 rpm, you cant beat that.)

 

[essasin]

i second a thermalright and say no to thermaltake unless you like the sound of a jet engine

 

[imported_rod]

Thermalright seem to be most peoples favourite.

I've looked at different heatsinks, but some seem too heavy to be safe. Many are also so high that there must be a huge amount of force being pressed onto the CPU, trying to level the HSF out of it's mounting... How heavy can a HSF safely be?

RoD

 

[Zebo]

Best price/performance? Stock.

Best aftermarket: all Thermalright, best to better, XP's, SP's, SLKs

 

[H20Cool]

How heavy can a HSF safely be?

Considering, the clamping force of typical retention mechanism is around 20 lbs, the actual weight of the heat sink itself seems to be a non-issue in terms of force on the CPU die. Even a 2 lb HSF, which would be considered large, would only add 2 lb to a clamping force that is ten times higher than that.

Heat sink weight is more of an issue if you are moving your case around a lot (eg. lan party, etc.) as some retention mechanisms have been known to let go in those situations.

Other than that, I wouldn't worry too much about the weight of the HSF, considering the clamping forces that are exerted on the CPU.

 

[Lysawy]

If you have plenty of room go for a sonic tower ......

i had , Retail , zelman 7700alcu and now sonic tower.....

 

[mindwreck]

xp120 xp90c or the sonic tower

 

[Baked]

Wait for the XP-120C to come out? That's gonna be one heavy mofo, but still can't touch the Zalman 7700Cu at 918g. Thermalright XP-90C is 690g.

Ps. The Thermaltake sonic tower looks pretty ridiculous, and will surely be a bitch to clean when dust gets into all those mini disks.

 

[Bitterfoam]

Aside from Hurricane Andrew, no one else has so much as mentioned the Arctic Cooling Freezer 64.

I mention this because I'm looking at getting a heatsink/fan for my Athlon 64 3500+, too, and so I'm curious as to what you all think. Personally, I like the looks on the Freezer 64, but I'd still want to see more opinions on it.

 

[IntegraGSR]

http://www.insanetek.com/index.php?page=arcticcf64
http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=280&p=3

why get anything else when you can get an xp-90 for $30

http://www.jab-tech.com/customer/product.php?productid=2474&cat=169&page=1


the main drawbacks of the freezer 64 (other than higher temps) are the inability to change the fan and the small contact surface.. while it might not make a difference right now.. the xp-90 should be able to withstand an upgrade where the freezer 64 may need to be replaced..

 

[Bitterfoam]

I see. Thanks. =)

 

[imported_rod]

Does anyone know where i can get an XP-90 or XP-120 for a decent price in AUSTRALIA? The best i've found is the pccasegear.com.au. But they still charge AU$70 (US$54) for an XP-90 (plus Postage&Handling), and AU$107 (US$82) for an XP-120.

RoD

 

[hectorsm]

Originally posted by: IntegraGSR
http://www.insanetek.com/index.php?page=arcticcf64
http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=280&p=3

why get anything else when you can get an xp-90 for $30

http://www.jab-tech.com/customer/product.php?productid=2474&cat=169&page=1


the main drawbacks of the freezer 64 (other than higher temps) are the inability to change the fan and the small contact surface.. while it might not make a difference right now.. the xp-90 should be able to withstand an upgrade where the freezer 64 may need to be replaced..

The fan in the Freezer 64 can be removed. The fan poles separate leaving part of the fan mounting poles available for mounting a different fan. A 92mm fan fits perfect in the remaining pole on the heat sink. I use a Zalman 92mm fan with a rubber band to ensure that the fan does not slide off the heat sink poles.

This is a good heat sink but not the the highest performer. If you don't mind replacing the mounting bracket I would say the XP-90 would be a better buy. If not, try this heat sink since it is very easy and quick to install.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I have the same question but I know with a XP-120 you can get a slower spinning fan which will get you better sound...

How loud is your 92mm fan?

 

[nordik]

XP-120/XP-90/Zalman 7000

 

[keeleysam]

Originally posted by: scsi drv1
Thermaltake Venus 12
(5500 rpm, you cant beat that.)

I've got one, and i <3 it!

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: IntegraGSR
http://www.insanetek.com/index.php?page=arcticcf64
http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=280&p=3

why get anything else when you can get an xp-90 for $30

that first review seems to put the freezer in a very good light... he was using a very high cfm fan, and having had one of those (an 80x80x35 delta screamer), i don't want to go back