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Which one?!?! Alpha PAL8045, Swiftech MC-462 or the Thermaltake Volcano 7+

E

evlyons

Member
What is a better heat sink and fan? The Alpha PAL8045 (w/ Delta Fan), Swiftech MC-462 or the Thermaltake Volcano 7+? I have heard so many different mixed opinions on this subject, but would like some opinions from people actually using them on a daily basis, rather than some benchtest.

I have an AMD XP-2000 with a Abit KR7A-RAID mobo and money isn't really an option when it comes to cooling. I'll pay the extra buck to have optimal performance and hardware that will last longer.

I think for a case fan I'll get the Thermaltake Smart Fan. Those seem pretty good. Any comments on those or better recommendations?

Thank you for your feedback,
-earle.
 
STAY AWAY FROM THE VOLCANO 7! YOUR GOING TO NEED TO EAR PLUGS

i would say the alpha but you shouldnt get the delta fan its too loud. it will cool it good with a 25-25 cfm fan with low noise

the smart fan is bad casue i think it controls the fan speed according to cpu temp.

i would rather have the fan at full speed all the time for better cooling 🙂

 
I am using the Alpha 8045 with a low speed, quiet panaflo and it keeps my 1800+ nice and cool. Another fan that I have heard good things about is the YS Tech fan (Panaflo doesn't have RPM monitoring capability). The Alpha is so effiecent you don't really need a noisy fan. Try svcompucycle, I got both a good price and very good customer service from them.

Dave
 
Another vote for the Alpha 8045. I've been using it for about a month now w/ a 43cmf sunon that is pretty quiet. I've also tried it with the really low rpm sunon's that are whisper quiet, and it only lost like 2C...sadly i dont have enough of these low rpm sunons...lol
 


<< STAY AWAY FROM THE VOLCANO 7! YOUR GOING TO NEED TO EAR PLUGS

i would say the alpha but you shouldnt get the delta fan its too loud. it will cool it good with a 25-25 cfm fan with low noise

the smart fan is bad casue i think it controls the fan speed according to cpu temp.

i would rather have the fan at full speed all the time for better cooling 🙂 >>




wtf r u talkin bout? i have the 7+ and its GREAT! i have it on medium setting and its QUIET as hellz. my temps is 30 Celcius. but thats not all... IF u wanted the strength of a delta its available by the flip of a switch, just set it on high and it'll cool the sun... yes its kinda loud on high but it cools like a delta. all u need is medium setting and ur all set.
 
I'm interesting to actually hear how loud the 7+ actually is. Everyone seems to say that the hhc-001 is louder than a jet, but it seems pretty quiet to me. I'm thinking that certian heatsinks get a bad rap, then just get slammed by everyone. Not saying that the 7+ isn't loud, cause I havn't heard it. But you know what I'm saying...
 
I would go with the Swiftech, that is what I have just recently installed, here is what it did for me:

(At full load):

I installed the Swiftech with some P.O.S. fan and thermal compound (because I was ready to use it and have not ordered my fan/as3 yet), and with my case sides off, just that cheapy fan on it, and none of my other case fans it dropped my temps 6c from when I had the retail AMD HSF
 
I have an alpha and it cools my 1600+ nicely even with a pcpowercooling silencer fan. I like the new thermalright though because of the clip. Seems like noise isn't an issue for you though so all should cool pretty well.
 


<< STAY AWAY FROM THE VOLCANO 7! YOUR GOING TO NEED TO EAR PLUGS >>


That's probably the Volcano 6Cu+ you're thinking about. I had that a few months ago, and my hearing is finally recovering thanks to my Volcano 7+. It is seriously quiet. I think TT finally realized that people will sacrifice 1 or 2 degrees for the ability to hear their mp3's over their HSF.
 
i have alpha8045 and swiftech MCX462... now i am currently use swiftech on my system.... for me swiftech more better than alpha
 


<< That's probably the Volcano 6Cu+ you're thinking about. I had that a few months ago, and my hearing is finally recovering thanks to my Volcano 7+. It is seriously quiet. I think TT finally realized that people will sacrifice 1 or 2 degrees for the ability to hear their mp3's over their HSF. >>





i think akira is right. i don't think hes talking about the same hsf. cuz the volcano 7+ is freakin quiet... i mean FREAKIN QUIET! but it has the option to transform into a screamin delta at the flip of a switch.🙂
 
After a month with a 60mm delta, It drove me mad - I would avoid a delta fan unless you have some earplugs handy...

The AX-7 has had excellent reviews, beating the PAL8045 in most benchmarks. It also doesnt need the mounting holes. Looks like a very good choice to me, and indeed is likely to be my next cooler.

 
Thanks for all the great input. I see a lot of votes for the Alpha PAL8045 and the Swiftech MC-462. They seem very good, however, I do not really care for the fact that they mount on to the motherboard. I am pushing towards either the Thermalright AX-7 (w/ Delta) or the Thermaltake Volcano 7+. Between those two, it seems you have to decide which is more important - noise or cooling.

As far as case fans go. I am still very much confused. 😕 YS Tech? Panaflo? I have an AOpen H600 until I can upgrade to Lian-Li or something comparable. Any suggestions on that topic?

Thanks again. All this feedback has been very helpful.
-earle

 
my temps is 30 Celcius--an aircooled XP1800@30C. I'm impressed. well I know your not OC'in anyway😉

what is your room temp.? if you don't mind me asking.
 
I have the Volcano 7 (not the +) on an AMD 1700. The fan runs around 3000 rpm most of the time and my idle temps stay around 37-38 and only a few degrees warmer under load. From what I have read, the 7+ is a better heatsink and its fan will cool most processors well on the medium setting. IMHO there is no way I would consider going with anything but an 80mm fan. Even at similar decibles, the lower pitch is much less irritating than the high speed 60mm fans.
 
All of the HSFs mention are very good performers.

Here are some other factors that might help you decide between them:

- Volcano 7+'s clip only uses one lug. This puts a lot of pressure on that one lug and the clip could break.
- PAL8045 does not fit in all motherboards. (compatible mobos)
 
Interesting input from everyone...

Any of you heard of the AVC Sunflower HSF ?

Many like it's good cooling/reasonable price/ease of installation...
 
Isnt the Sunflower P4 only at this point?

Regardless, I would suggest that you go for the ThermalRight AX-7. It is more efficient than the Volcano, and uses all three cleats on the CPU socket. You can attach a variable-speed fan on it, and then have silence when you need it, and high performance when you need that. The best of both worlds!

Although I have good good things about the Volcano, I am leery of all TT products. They have a bad reputation, and although the V7+ seems to be a top-notch heatsink for all intents and purposes, I would rather put my money into a name I know and trust. Truly, however, either one would be a good choice, just in my opinion, the AX-7 would be a better one.
 
Two of the downsides of the Alpha 8045 are its not compatible with all MB's as someone pointed out, and the fact that the 4 mounting holes required on the MB are no longer mandated by AMD. This could jeapordize your upgrade path if you wanted to use this on a future MB and it no longer has the 4 holes needed to mount it.

Dave
 
People go gaga over the Volcano 7+ speed switch, but can't you just buy an in-line speed dial for any fan? Why not buy a heatsink with an 80mm fan and put a throttle on it?
 
I just got the AX-7 with delta fan from newegg. The hs is massive. And very secure with 3 hole clip. The delta is as loud as everyone says of course. But I will be using a baybuss to cut the voltage for quiet time. This hs is the most substantial I have seen.
 
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