x48BT2 cooling fan recommendations?

[Toadster]

I'm getting an Intel X48BT2 board and want to get a really good CPU fan... in the reviews I really am liking the Noctua based coolers - quiet and efficient.

their compatability links show SMD parts prevent mounting of the backplate

what recomendations does everyone have? (oh and don't say, don't get the Intel board)

 

[AmberClad]

But why are you getting that board, out of curiosity? I wasn't impressed by the reviews I've seen so far. The Bonetrail 2 apparently doesn't live up to the legacy the Bad Axe 2 set...

 

[Toadster]

Originally posted by: AmberClad
But why are you getting that board, out of curiosity? I wasn't impressed by the reviews I've seen so far. The Bonetrail 2 apparently doesn't live up to the legacy the Bad Axe 2 set...

middle of the road in price (believe it or not!), but top of the line stability and performance

THG reviewed X48 boards recently and said
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/x48-motherboard,1941-31.html

If we had our hearts set on DDR3 memory, the battle would be between Asus and Intel. The DX48BT2 had the best overall performance, and placed second only to the DDR2-equiped DFI X48-T2R in maximum CPU clock. The P5E3 Premium WiFi-AP @n Edition supported higher memory and bus speeds, and the actual performance difference between the two was negligible. The DX48BT2 is a few features short of direct competition with the P5E3 Premium, but it?s also around $100 cheaper. How much are a few extra onboard components worth to you?

 

[AmberClad]

I've seen just as many reviews where it was very average, at best, at overclocking. X-Bit Review

Hope you luck out, but the reviews are just too mixed for my liking. Overall, the Rampage Formula seems like more of a sure bet.

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But anyways, this is getting off topic. What's the problem with the backplate not being able to fit? I hope that doesn't limit you to HSFs that use pushpins. I don't see anything unusual on the top side. Is there something on the bottom of the board?

 

[Toadster]

I don't have the board yet, but I'm assuming that there's something on the back of the board that doesn't allow for the bracket mount...

 

[Toadster]

Originally posted by: Toadster
I don't have the board yet, but I'm assuming that there's something on the back of the board that doesn't allow for the bracket mount...

what about the Thermalright Ultra-120

hmm - maybe I should ask - who the heck has the X48BT2 ?