Which air cooler to get?

[kenrippy]

Originally posted by: Yoxxy
Ultra 120 Extreme is amazing.

I think in actuality it runs even better than many low end water coolers.

3.6 ghz on a QX and cores load around 66.

that's about what i get on my q6600 @ 3.51 with the tuniq & 1.4275v in bios.

 

[Nedder]

The Ultima 90 is the "mini" version of the Ultra 120 extreme. It cools only a 2-3c less and weighs almost half, costs less and actually fits most motherboards It
beats all of the old-gen heatsinks like the Tuniq and Ninja.

I just got mine today and with a Scythe 120mm my Q6600 G0 is idle 27, load 45c at 3.0ghz (1.25V). I was hitting 70c with the intel piece of crap HSF.

 

[johnnyjohnson]

I was recently debating between the Thermalright Ultra 120 (not EX version) and the Tuniq. I got the Tuniq because I heard that it is supposedly easier to mount and more stable than the Thermalright and I also heard that the finish on the bottom is better. Well, those 2 things were not so in my case. The bottom of the Tuniq I got was unacceptably concave. I put it on a piece of glass and there was a big gap in the middle. For the life of me I don't understand why these heatsink manufacturers don't make them completely flat. Anyway, I wound up having to sand the bottom to make it flat. Also, while the Tuniq was easy to mount, the mounting could use some improvement. There should have been more than one stablilizing hole in that mount. There's just one, in the center, so the heatskink is free to move around unless it is very tightly clamped down. My chip runs very hot even at mild voltages of 1.35-1.4V. I am having trouble getting my e4500 to go north of 3.4Ghz because of the heat. It can do 3.6Ghz+, but not with the Tuniq. If the OP is looking to run an even hotter chip at 3.5Ghz, then I recommend going for the Ultra 120 extreme. You will probably have to sand the bottom to make it perfectly flat, but the extra cooling the 120 extreme will give you over the Tuniq may mean the difference between running it at 3.4ghz versus 3.5 or 3.6Ghz. Every bit of cooling helps when you're trying to get a high overclock.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

You want flat? Check out Zalman. They are very expensive but the base is very flat and smooth. I run into the same problem with E4300 and BT north of 3.6GHz. Too much heat for extended Orthos unless the room is under 66F.

 

[BoboKatt]

Any of those coolers are good as long as they are mounted properly.

I have lots of experience with the big typhoon and the Tunic Tower. It took me months of having my computers around to figure out a few things here and there.

Personally the Tunic works incredibly well but over tightening will be detrimental to your temps. Getting it just right is the key and evenly balanced between the 4 bolts. Once I figured what the heck I was doing, I can now mount, remove, apply in no time.

However I find the fan actually loud though compared to say my Big Typhoon. I have the big typhoon on my X2 4800+ and I do not want to EVER remove it. Somehow I got it so right that the temps are so low and there it's darn quiet. I am not sure how well that would perform on say my Q6600 or e6850 oc'ed but for the AMD it works wonders.

I recently got the Ninja Rev B. for my Q6600 and although I think it's a great cooler I cannot stand the push in clips. It took me hours to get it right and I am sure it's still not correct. I wet ahead and ordered an aftermarket retention kit to replace the crappy pins and hope that works better.

Anyone one of these coolers can perform incredibly well and I would swear with a few C of each other depending on how they are mounted and how you apply the thermal compound. In any case you will need to remove your mobo or if you are building a new system, make sure you install the HS first before placing the mobo in the case... that uis a given.

Also as others have stated, in my case the Ninja and Tunic both came with their own fans at no extra cost and both I got at an incredible deal from NCIX here in Canada. The TR Untra 120 extreme super dupper max awesome HS, you have to add a fan (not a bad thing) but I rarely if ever see those on sale? you need to add another good $20 or a good fan? and again hope you get it all perfect to see one or 2c in difference. I still cannot believe some folks will spend more on their aftermarket HS/F than they do on their CPU. Blows me away.

Anyhow it?s a good experience. I have now installed pretty much every type of aftermarket air cooling and what I?ve learned is priceless.