Zalman 7700-Cu vs 7700-AlCu

[JackDanielsDrinker]

I've seen several people advise getting the AlCu version of this cooler, since it "weighs less and works almost as well as the copper version."

The Cu cooler weighs 918g and the AlCu cooler weighs 600g. Won't the additional 50% of thermal mass be a substantial advantage? The price difference between the two coolers is only $5-$6.

I have seen the benchmarks that have the AlCu cooler keeping the processor at 40C and the Cu only mananging 1 degree cooler or so. But this is for today's processors.

When I upgrade to a dual-core Athlon 64 FX-63 or whatever in the future that is pushing out 100+ watts, maybe the Cu cooler will keep it at 50C when the AlCu cooler will keep it at 55-60C (ie the performance delta will grow)?

Or am I mistaken?

 

[WhiteKnight]

Chances are there will be some bigger (hopefully not too much bigger) and better HS on the market by the time that becomes an issue.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Why are people worried about the weight? Planning on dropping your PC some time soon?

I've used this heatsink plent of times in the past. Weight's not an issue unless you ship the PC with the heatsink installed. THEN you could risk board or CPU damage.

 

[ManBearPig]

the 7000b alcu is heavy by itself, and thats alot less than the 7700. I dont wanna risk screwing anything up at all, whether i move it or not. Gotta plan for everything, i guess. the 7000b is plenty big itself.

 

[imported_DaveA]

just get a thermalright xp120 (if your motherboard has room for it) or xp90. both are lighter than the zalmans and perform better.

 

[Deskstar]

I move my computer case around constantly, as I fiddle with its various components, run the vacuum cleaner into it, kick it by accident with my feet, drop coffee onto it, have the dog push it over onto its side, drop my latest UPS delivery onto it, and otherwise cause unexpected motion of the case.

Each movement that might stress the motherboard would worry me if I have a very heavy Zalman pure Cu heatsink. I opted for the very quiet Zalman Al-Cu that is far less of a movement worry for me. The thermalrights mentioned are great heatsinks but all the benchmarks that I saw on them are done with relatively high speed fans. The Zalman makes no noise at low or even medium speeds and the benchmarks on several sites show little change in temps when the fan is set at max vs medium speeds. Sorry, I don't know where those benchmarks are now. But, I did read them before I bought my Zalmans.

Of course, your needs for cooling may differ and may drive a different decision. It's all in the determination of the needs and expectations for the cooling system.

Deskstar

 

[jonnyGURU]

I just had to LOL at your post Deskstar. Yeah.. DON'T buy the heavy copper heat sink!!!!

See, mine just sits quietly in the corner on a terazzo floor. I don't even have to move it to vacuum. The cable modem sit behind it. I haven't seen it in two years.

 

[Deskstar]

JonnyGURU,

Thank you for appreciating my way of describing a day in the life (or near death) of my computer.

Deskstar

 

[JackDanielsDrinker]

Well, noise is a huge issue for me. That's part of why I lean toward maximum thermal mass. I want to run that fan as slow as possible (500 RPM if I could get away with it).

I am aware that you don't want to hike your computer onto your shoulder and go for a walk if you have a heavy heatsink on the CPU. I don't move my computer around. But, it is a tower, so the motherboard is vertical, so the heatsink will be pulling on it. I will have to treat it gently.

And Amazon has the 7700's for cheap.

BTW, in the future, if I can get away with not having to upgrade my heatsink, then that would be good. That's also why I'm leaning towards maximum thermal mass so maybe I don't need to shell out another $42 in two years for the super-wizo-son-of-Athon-quad-core-optical-processor.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: JackDanielsDrinkerAnd Amazon has the 7700's for cheap.

Yup, plus free shipping.

 

[MrControversial]

Mass does factor in to the thermal transfer and material as well. The AlCu is a mix of Aluminum and Copper and Al doesn't transfer heat as well as Cu so that's why the 100% Cu version has better transfer. Weight is no problem to me since I bought an 18K gold-plated Aerocool DP-102 for my XP 2800 and it damn near weighs two pounts.

 

[JackDanielsDrinker]

Just to let you all know, I got a 7700-Cu, and it fits on my DFI nf4 Ultra board. No problems. The DFI even has a built in backplate...you don't need to put the Zalman one on.

 

[imported_mitch2891]

Originally posted by: MrControversial
Mass does factor in to the thermal transfer and material as well. The AlCu is a mix of Aluminum and Copper and Al doesn't transfer heat as well as Cu so that's why the 100% Cu version has better transfer. Weight is no problem to me since I bought an 18K gold-plated Aerocool DP-102 for my XP 2800 and it damn near weighs two pounts.

Yeah they are bloody heavy I got the normal not bling one and when ever I look at it I think to myself, if those lugs ever break that damn thing could easy take all the cards underneath it out.

So I put a tie wrap from the top corner to the support rail under the psu.

sleeping better now.

 

[BigJelly]

Originally posted by: mitch2891

Originally posted by: MrControversial
Mass does factor in to the thermal transfer and material as well. The AlCu is a mix of Aluminum and Copper and Al doesn't transfer heat as well as Cu so that's why the 100% Cu version has better transfer. Weight is no problem to me since I bought an 18K gold-plated Aerocool DP-102 for my XP 2800 and it damn near weighs two pounts.

Yeah they are bloody heavy I got the normal not bling one and when ever I look at it I think to myself, if those lugs ever break that damn thing could easy take all the cards underneath it out.

So I put a tie wrap from the top corner to the support rail under the psu.

sleeping better now.

good idea i just put the 7000 in my comp and its heavy. At full load 41C compared to stock heat sink of 55 (P4)

 

[JerryT87]

Originally posted by: JackDanielsDrinker
Just to let you all know, I got a 7700-Cu, and it fits on my DFI nf4 Ultra board. No problems. The DFI even has a built in backplate...you don't need to put the Zalman one on.

Hi JDD;

Are you using RAM slots 2 & 4 with that?

 

[JackDanielsDrinker]

Originally posted by: mitch2891

Originally posted by: MrControversial
Mass does factor in to the thermal transfer and material as well. The AlCu is a mix of Aluminum and Copper and Al doesn't transfer heat as well as Cu so that's why the 100% Cu version has better transfer. Weight is no problem to me since I bought an 18K gold-plated Aerocool DP-102 for my XP 2800 and it damn near weighs two pounts.

Yeah they are bloody heavy I got the normal not bling one and when ever I look at it I think to myself, if those lugs ever break that damn thing could easy take all the cards underneath it out.

So I put a tie wrap from the top corner to the support rail under the psu.

sleeping better now.

YES! Great idea with the tie wrap. I'm going to do that.

I haven't broken 40c yet (like 36 is the max) at full load. Winchester 3000 not overclocked (yet). I could be wrong because Motherboard Monitor has to be set up manually for my DFI board. I think I got the CPU thermistor because it spikes under a full load.

Regarding weight...the copper version is heavy. But, I used every motherboard mounting screw available (10). I haven't turned the tower upright yet, but it looks pretty solid.

 

[JackDanielsDrinker]

Originally posted by: JerryT87

Originally posted by: JackDanielsDrinker
Just to let you all know, I got a 7700-Cu, and it fits on my DFI nf4 Ultra board. No problems. The DFI even has a built in backplate...you don't need to put the Zalman one on.

Hi JDD;

Are you using RAM slots 2 & 4 with that?

Yes, I am using two Geil sticks w/spreaders in slots 2 and 4. There is about 6 to 8 mm clearance between the stick in slot 4 and the Zalman.

 

[dashiki]

I have that areocool dp-102 also with two fans a really nice cooler I love the Zalman 7700-cu that I have i mkes the view through my case window all pretty.