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Why are HSFs just a pain to install?

Darien

Platinum Member
Well, I'm looking for a new HSF to use so that i may enjoy overclocking 😀

i really really hate installing/taking 'em out though. are there any quiet/good ones that aren't such a pain to install and remove?

i have an epox 8k7a.

Thanks 🙂

Darien
 
The easiest ones to install are the Coolermaster HHC-001 heatpipe and the Coolermaster HCC-002. Both use the same clip mechanism and both are a total breeze to install and remove. No tools needed with the oversized clip. See picture The HHC-001 heatpipe cooler is the better of the two.

Other easy ones to install are any Dr Thermal heatsinks. The TI-V77 series cools very well. They easily clip on then move the tension bar to secure it.


Other easy ones are the cak II and the AX-7. With them you just need a screwdriver to insert in the front clip and guide it on the mobo catch. Except the back clip of the AX7 can be a pain if you have large fingers and if the resisters are too close.

All the above cool fine but the AX7 is the best at cooling. Plus you can cool as well and better than the others by using a quieter fan. All but the Dr Thermal come with an airplane fan. That's a major plus. 😉 The AX7 comes with no fan so you can chose the one you want.
 
Yeah, the hhc-001 is extremely easy to install. It is loud, but after a week I got used to it. Plus, it seems to be an excellent cooler. I think my temps are more than adequate. I would reccomend if you think you can get used to the noise.
 
MY HSF isn't that hard to get on and off, it's kind of big, so some mobo's don't fit it comforatably though......caps and such near the socket......it's a vantec w/ a delta, it's loud, but it cools quite well
 
I've built a lot of performance computers and a lot of family computers, and have found that Coolermaster makes the easiest to install HSFs. I'd still recommend an Alpha 8045, but that's just because I always recommend it 😛
 

>>>Other easy ones to install are any Dr Thermal heatsinks. The TI-V77 series cools very well. They easily clip on then move the tension bar to secure it.

Blade: Have you actually used the Dr Thermal heat sink or are you just spouting something you read?

I found my Dr Thermal TI-V77L very difficult to install. Cooling was so-so and the fan was as loud as heck.

After several installations the whacko lever mechanism suposedly loosens up and it gets better, but I have yet to reach that point.


 


<< spouting something you read? >>


That's a bit harsh pal.

No, I'm not "spouting something I read". What I do "spout" are facts and not accusatory insults as others like to do.

I run a website where I review products as these and so far I've tested 3 different Dr Thermal heatsinks and all 3 were a breeze to install. Maybe you just didn't do it right. It can be difficult if one does it the wrong way at first, as I learned. You have to have the lever back first so it does loosen the tension on the clip, then attach the rear clip on the mobo and then the front. A screwdriver might be needed to guide the front clip on. Once on just move the lever forward and that makes the clip tighten and locks it on.

Once you do it the proper way it is very easy. If the lever is down then that increases the tension making installing it very hard.

It does cool very well. If you're replying on mobo monitor or similar software monitoring those aren't always accurate. The fan on the one I tested was quiet. Either you have a different fan on yours or they are as inconsistant as TT fans in that regard.
 
Blade: Saw ur review on PCA on the Ti-V86N...was wondering if a lower RPM fan (say a Thermaltake 60 mm, 4500 rpm, 21 cfm) would provide sufficient cooling for an XP1800+, not-overclocked. I am concerned that the 6800 rpm fan that comes with the fan may still be too loud...

Thanx
 
all Vantec hsf have incredibly easy to install clips

i have used many in the past and use their all copper 6035 right now
 
kglo,

Not sure I'd go that low. Although I did try it with a fan off a volcano II. That fan is rated at 36cfm, but I doubt it's higher than 30. Still cooled well with it and the fan is quiet.

The fan included with the V86 is loud but not nearly as annoying as those screamin' delta fans. It's tolerable.

The better cooler is the TI-V77L. It uses a 70mm fan and the heatsink is larger than the TI-V86. But since you're not oc'ing either would do well. The TI-V77 is $14 at SVC and the lowest I've seen the V86 is 20, may as well get the V77. Unless you need the smaler size. 😉
 
Blade

The low rumble of that Y.S. Tech is SO annoying.

Do you use it every day or did you slap in and then rip it out?

Blade: "The fan on the one I tested was quiet"

Blades Review: Noise Level: 42.5 dBA

Nearly 6000 RPM at 42.5 dBA ain't quiet, if you think it is you need to get your hearing checked.

Mrs Trikster2 on hearing the V77L "What the F is in there"

Regarding the installation:

This reviewer had a similar experience to mine, so I am not alone:

http://www.casejunkiez.com/reviews/thermalintegration/doc_thermal1.shtml

"The amount of pressure required to get the second side of the TI-V77 clip over the CPU socket lug was more than I had ever had to exert before. I was quite scared of not so much crushing the core, but breaking the CPU socket lug itself off. Eventually with very sore fingers I was able to get the clip over the lug and once in place the amount of pressure being exerted against the CPU socket lug was not that great."

Regarding Cooling:

Several sites, including virtual hideout, note that the copper core does not line up with the CPU core and the cooling is only so-so.

REGARDLESS of any of these concerns:

When recommending the V77L you should be pointing out that 70mm is a very odd size fan. If you don't like the low rumble of the Y.S.Tech that ships with the heatsink, good luck finding an alternative.

After trying the seven volt mod (still too lound) I finally threw out the 70mm fan and slapped on an 80mm panaflo. Just used the 60mm fan screw holes in the heatsink to mount an 80mm chrome grill.

Took a temp hit, but way way way better sound.

There's probably a reason the V77L droped from $28 to $14 in a few months......



 
One must read the reviews and decide, here is a link with most of the reviews listed Dr Thermal TI-V77

I have this hsf and it is well worth the cash also I use a Alpha pal 6035. I like em both and overclock with both on different systems.

Check my linkage for system specs....
 
trikster, is there a problem with your intelligence or are do you just enjoy acting like a dip?

And no I don't need to get my "hearing checked".
rolleye.gif
But I do believe you need to get your courtesy checked and not come across so rude.

I used the dr thermal for about 3-4 weeks, it was always quiet. Once more for the hearing impaired, it was ALWAYS quiet. And maybe you need to get your eyes checked because you conveniently missed this comment from me:


<< Either you have a different fan on yours or they are as inconsistant as TT fans in that regard. >>



But since I had 3 dr thermals and all sounded the same, well you figure it out.

dba ratings are not always accurate as also with cfm ratings. Fans will vary sometimes. Read my first reply to you, you missed several more key points like:


<< You have to have the lever back first so it does loosen the tension on the clip, then attach the rear clip on the mobo and then the front. >>


Otherwise it will be a major pain to install. It's a simple thing to do and overlook. If installed correctly it is a total breeze to install. Again, I've had 3 and all were very easy to install. But you must know what you are doing and install it correctly.

And no I don't need to listen to anyone with an attitude as yours for my reviews. I post what my experience is and the dr. does cool very well. Some people probably didn't apply thermal compound correctly and/or didn't install the heatsink correctly so that messed up the application of the compound. Which does effect cooling.

As far as pricing, svc is the only place that has that dr priced at $14, the other sites all have it around 25.
 
Blade, Agree with all...I checked around and you can get the Dr. at Sidewinder for 20 bucks or two for 37 bucks, not bad considering Sidewinders low shipping rates. They also ship to APO/FPO for free. I always shop here since I get free shipping (US Navy). I just ordered another DR. Thermal TI-V77L and some cool clear bladed fans with dark blue body, gold fan gaurd and speed control: . Much better looking than the pink ones. Link to the 120mm fan

Keep up the good reviews, they are appreciated.
 
Thanks Chris 🙂

Was not familar with sidewindercomputers but I'll have to remember them. I like blue but you'll never see anything "pink" in my computer. 😀

btw, here is another review on the same Dr Thermal heatsink. But this is the "N" model, it uses a faster and thicker fan than the "L" model but it is the exact same heatsink as the TI-V77L. They compare it to the V7+. Also they mention how easy it is to install. Shocker huh. 😀
 

My gosh blade, you need to lay off the cofee.

My venom is not directed at you personaly but at the Dr Thermal V77L.

I own and really hate this heat sink. It's my personal goal in life to get the word out on how bad this heat sink is.

THANK YOU for the tip on forceibly bending the lever back to bend the clip. Will try that when I take the HSF off the next time.

To me this HSF is not just loud, it's silly you've gotta be kidding loud.

And yes there are a lot of reviews that say it is "quiet". Perhaps it is shipping with different fans? Mine shipped with a Y.S. Tech FD1270157B-1F which is rated at 40DB and 5,000 RPM. My motherboard thinks the fan is turning at 5,600 RPM.

I've seen some vendors claim the specs on the fan are 3800 RPM at 34dB

I doubt the ystech specs are that much off, however what is subjective is the definition of "quiet".

If you have a computer with a 120mm intake 2 PSU fans, 92mm exhaust and a big fan on your video card then this may seem like a quiet HSF.

If like me you are building a computer for the family room, and the only other fans are a couple of 80mm panaflo L1As then like me, you may consider this a very loud HSF and throw the 70mm fan in the garbage.

However, the original question was for a good easy to install HSF for overclocking:

http://www.ocmodshop.com/drthermal.asp
Cons: Core is misaligned. Not good for overclocking

http://www.overclockers.co.nz/ocnz/cooling/drthermal/2.shtml
Dr. Thermal's performance would suit the OEM market and general users, not the hardcore overclockers.
Judging from the results, Dr. Thermal is more suited to the OEM sector and general home users. The hardcore tweakers may want to take a pass on this unit...The only thing negative, apart from its performance, is the noise of the fan. It is a bit louder considering the performance.

http://www.gideontech.com/reviews/tiv77/
Cons: Only adequate cooling. Copper core not totally centered on the CPU, a tiny portion off the mark

http://www.overclockersclub.com/drthermal.shtml
Well this product could of been designed a little better... all in all I would not recommend this cooler for overclocking, maybe for general cooling!

On the other hand there are review that say the Dr Thermal cools very well.

Perhaps the issue is inconsistent build quality by Dr Thermal?

This site would suggest that could be the problem (in other words we both are right, depending on the unit you receive):

http://www.pc-arena.net/review_full.asp?ReviewID=105
". The copper area was raised from the aluminium part. This made it dangerous to apply to the processor, in case it does not cool the processor properly, or puts undue pressure on one part of it, which may cause it to crack. When examining the heatsink I also found that the copper core was not as flat as it could have been. Both these errors meant that I needed to lap the heatsink, but the average person may not be able to do this! So, I lapped the heatsink, which involved sanding down, and then polishing the heatsink, to make it as flat as possible. This also removed the difference in levels on the heatsink."

And if you made it this far: ChrisADuffy why did you replace the stock fan on your Ti 200? I have the same card and seems to overclock fine out of the box with the stock fan. Did the Crystal Orb buy you anything other than cool looks?




 
The Dr. Thermal I got is quiet and easy to install, I don't know what kind of problems you had installing it and what damage may have resulted from that trouble. The fan may be off balance is my guess.
Crystal orbs are great, yes they do let you overclock higher with increased stability. Since my first video card I have improved upon the cooling of all subsequent cards. That is essentially what all this is about, modding/upgrading/improving to increase performance and stability. Hope you have better luck with future products.

Don't by the product if you don't like what the reviews say, which is what I do. It is all a matter of personal preference and decision.

Yeah the crystal orb does look good too I must admit.

Take care.
 
It's the insulting attitude you clearly display trikster. Maybe that is just your way and being abrasive is a natural.

You don't have the "L" version of the dr thermal TI-V77 and it sounds like you instead have the "N" version and yes that one is louder. The "L" vrsion which is the one svc and others normally sell IS indeed quiet. But I have also tested 2 "N" versions and yes, those are not quiet. I have the spec sheet on all their cpu coolers and the only ones that spin over 5k are the "N" version ones.

You must either have that N version or a totally different fan. The L never spins faster than 3800rpms and once again, it is quiet. No I'm not "kidding you". 😀 Look at the specs listed at svc. Also notice the dba rating of 34. The original dba rating I was supplied with is for the N version, I was sent the wrong dba specs obviously.

Also does the one you have include a copper core? Dr Thermal has many model numbers that do not have a copper core.

And from all Dr Thermal heatsinks I have tested they are ALL good (haven't tested any with no copper core). But as with any computer hardware some will get various results. It must be installed correctly.


<< THANK YOU for the tip on forceibly bending the lever back to bend the clip >>


Why the need to turn things around? I never said you have to forcibly bend the lever, it's very loose to begin with, you just have to move it towards the back and you'll feel the tension go away. Takes zero effort. Believe it or not.
 
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