Zalman 9500, Thermalright SI-120, or TT Big Typhoon

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A

allies

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2002
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I need help making my decision about cooling my 4400+ X2 processor. Right now with stock cooling, it's running with 1.325 volts at 2.4 Ghz, and temps are 39 idle and 48 load. I know those temps are certainly acceptable, however I feel a need to get some better cooling. I can get the 9500 for ~45, the Big Typhoon for about the same price, and the SI-120 for about $20 more (with fan). My case is a Lian-Li V1100B Plus, and airflow is as follows:
air is brought in from the front, which cools the harddrives. Air is also brought in from the back, right where the CPU is. Both the air flows rise to the top where I have it exhausting out. If I got the 9500, I could have it just exhaust out the back instead of taking air from the back. As I said, I'm confused of how to get the best temps. Thanks for help in advance.
 
BonzaiDuck

BonzaiDuck

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
16,496
1,959
126
That's odd. You found the CNPS-9500 for $40 less than some others.

The SI-120 was also $45, but as you said, the fan is extra.

The 9500 and Big Typhoon weigh considerably more, but add a fan to the SI-120 and it's a wash.

They all provide about the same cooling effectiveness, per observations made on this forum.

I'm familiar with the case you have. You might save money on the extra fan for the SI-120 by SPENDING $6 on a foam-board panel to build a duct, which would suck air off the top of the SI_120 and force it through the rear of the case. But that's more trouble, even if it's an issue of money.

The Typhoon's fan is limited to a speed of something like 1,300 rpm.

I can't make up your mind for you on this. I CAN tell you that the design of the SI-120 orients the fan to provide better motherboard-component cooling. With more flexibility in the fan-speed than that with the Typhoon, there would be an advantage there.

You probably don't NEED to spend $20 on the fan. If you don't need motherboard monitoring, a 6-Watt Sunon 120x38mm fan would cost less than $10:

KD1212PMB1 fan
 
BonzaiDuck

BonzaiDuck

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
16,496
1,959
126
PS

You could tail the Sunon for control through the motherboard with a 3-pin plug, so you could run it at half-speed -- abot 1,600 rpm -- with the CPU at idle. You could even limit it to an approximation of something lower than 3,100 rpm.

One of the original reviews for the SI-120's XP-120 predecessor used this fan.
 
M

mdkinsal

Member
Oct 27, 2005
25
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XP-120 was a great fan!

Too bad my MSI Board couldn't take it. Forced me into a XP-90...

PLEASE HELP THAT COMPANY AND THOSE RETENTION MOUNTS :)
 
Gamingphreek

Gamingphreek

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
11,679
0
81
XP-120 was a great fan!
Click to expand...

XP-120 isn't even a fan....

Out of those, i would take the Thermalright, then the Zalman, than the Tt (In order of noise and performance). THe best one out there right now is the Scythe Ninja, i would get that one hands down.

-Kevin
 
A

allies

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2002
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I made a little diagram of how my computer is currently set up and how I would set it up with a Scythe Ninja or a Zalman 9500... can someone check it out to help me decide if I should get one of the two.
 
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Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,508
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Originally posted by: allies
I made a little diagram of how my computer is currently set up and how I would set it up with a Scythe Ninja or a Zalman 9500... can someone check it out to help me decide if I should get one of the two.
Click to expand...

Toss a coin... you'll be happy with either one I'm sure. I would read the SPCR reviews of each and decide based on that.
 
Gamingphreek

Gamingphreek

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
11,679
0
81
Originally posted by: Operandi
Originally posted by: allies
I made a little diagram of how my computer is currently set up and how I would set it up with a Scythe Ninja or a Zalman 9500... can someone check it out to help me decide if I should get one of the two.
Click to expand...

Toss a coin... you'll be happy with either one I'm sure. I would read the SPCR reviews of each and decide based on that.
Click to expand...

The Scythe has better dissipation per watt. It has an edge, and is going to be quieter, i would get that but the 9500 is by no means a bad cooler.

-Kevin
 
JEDIYoda

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,321
126
Originally posted by: Operandi
Originally posted by: allies
I made a little diagram of how my computer is currently set up and how I would set it up with a Scythe Ninja or a Zalman 9500... can someone check it out to help me decide if I should get one of the two.
Click to expand...

Toss a coin... you'll be happy with either one I'm sure. I would read the SPCR reviews of each and decide based on that.
Click to expand...

Actually I wouldn`t read the SPCR review or take any stock in there criticism of the Zalman 9500 being noisy....

Truthfully I have seen no mention of a noise issu on any other forums or reviews by any other quality review site!!

I have a Zalman 9500...heres the deal....
When I first installed the Heatsink I said oh no..its soo noisy....

then around 30--45 minutes later...it went dead quiet.
For the next several hrs I had to physically look to see if it was working it was soo quiet....

Other than that SPCR is a fine site......

Yes the Scythe Ninja is a very very fine cooler...

You would be happy weith iether cooler!

 
JEDIYoda

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,321
126
The Scythe has better dissipation per watt. It has an edge, and is going to be quieter, i would get that but the 9500 is by no means a bad cooler.

well thats a bogus statement......the way you worded it....
wattage has nothing to do with heat dissipation!

yet the Ninja has been reviewed by many sites and hands down its the top Cooler as of today on the market!

Understand that when I say top cooler that in and of itself sound big and important...
Yet all these coolers..the Zlaman 9500....Ninja...XP120....XP90 copper....SI120...Big Typhoon are all with 1c - 3c of each other....

Hardly worth debating!
 
JEDIYoda

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,321
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Originally posted by: orion23
Unless it is a secret, can you tell us where to get the 9500LED for $45?

Here, brand new review for the 9500LED. It doesn't do that well against the XP-90C


http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&articID=365
Click to expand...

Actually you are totally wrong orion23.....

Look at the graphs....
but first look at what they say is the margin for error temperature wise---
All results were taken with room temperature at ~22°C. Due to room temp fluctuations, different mounting and user error can account up to 1-2°C of inaccuracy from obtained results. Please keep this in mind when looking at the results. Each heatsink was tested repeatedly; if I got questionable results the test was restarted.

Now go look at the results....
http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&number=2&artpage=1467&articID=365

Notice anything peculiar taking into accout the 1c-2c margin of error....

Temperature wise the XP90 and the Zalman 9500 were equal (taking into account the margin for error...)!!

Noise wise......if you keep the Zalman turned down to its lowest setting ..
Trailing the top 2 heatsink by only 1°C it's safe to say that Zalman latest heatsink is a winner when using the "low" speed option.


The you set the Zalman at its highest setting its only marginally better that at its lowest setting...
But if you take into account the 1-2c margin for error...its the same!!

Conclusion

The strength of Zalman?s latest CPU cooler comes to light when you let the fan running at ?low? speed settings. Performance is on par with the best out there and noise-wise it?s as silent too.

However when you turn up the speed of the fan with the included fanmate II you?re out of the silent zone and into the extra performance realm. But testing showed the difference between minimum and maximum fan speed to be only a mere 2°C, so not quite worth the extra noise.

The rather unique design, combined with a blue LED fan might also tickle the fantasy of some enthusiasts to brighten up their casemods. Extreme power users might be turned down by the fact that the fan on the unit can not be swapped out, this seems to be a trademark of the Zalman series.

Overall the CNPS9500 LED is a very solid performer at low noise levels, found in Europe for ~?50 and ~$60 in USA, it?s no longer a budget solution, but with multiple socket compatibility and easy installation it comes recommended.

It has been my experience with the 9500 as well as the XP120 you don`t need your fans cranked all the way to achieve maximum results.....

So again noise is not ; nor should it be an issue.......

In my opinion the XP90 copper as well as the XP120 and the zalman 9500 are all in the same league....
I really don`t see how you can say the zalman doesn`t do that well against the XP....
when on any setting be it low or high it fell within there margin for error.......1-2c...
 
O

orion23

Platinum Member
Oct 1, 2003
2,035
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Do you realize that the 9500LED is a newer cooler being compared to the XP-90C?

A company cannot introduce a product a few months than its competitor and present similar results. It has to be better, even if it is by a little.

In my opinion, the 9500LED is not a good solution being the latest competing against the older rivals. It offers good results and for people like me, it is acceptable only because of "looks" Yes, I want one because it is pretty and performs well
 
JEDIYoda

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,321
126
Originally posted by: orion23
Do you realize that the 9500LED is a newer cooler being compared to the XP-90C?

A company cannot introduce a product a few months than its competitor and present similar results. It has to be better, even if it is by a little.

In my opinion, the 9500LED is not a good solution being the latest competing against the older rivals. It offers good results and for people like me, it is acceptable only because of "looks" Yes, I want one because it is pretty and performs well
Click to expand...

I respect your opinion!
But if we follow your logic then no new heatsink should be pitted against any other heatsink that is not new also? correct?

I would agree with your statement...A company cannot introduce a product a few months than its competitor and present similar results. It has to be better, even if it is by a little.

But sometimes the Best stays the best for many months or even years...agree
I would consider the XP90 copper amonmg the top 5 heatsinks......

A company isn`t obligated to make sure that when they come out with a new product that is better or even equal to the best that is out there...

But I do understand your statement!!

:)
 
A

allies

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2002
2,572
0
71
Originally posted by: orion23
Unless it is a secret, can you tell us where to get the 9500LED for $45?

Here, brand new review for the 9500LED. It doesn't do that well against the XP-90C


http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&articID=365
Click to expand...

mwave has it for $55... and I have a coupon for $15 dollars off, so with shipping it'd be ~45 I think.

Edit: It'd be $46 and change shipped, for those without the coupon it'd be $61 which is still considerably less than other places.
 
B

bob9012

Junior Member
Sep 20, 2005
5
0
0
Originally posted by: allies
Originally posted by: orion23
Unless it is a secret, can you tell us where to get the 9500LED for $45?

Here, brand new review for the 9500LED. It doesn't do that well against the XP-90C


http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&articID=365
Click to expand...

mwave has it for $55... and I have a coupon for $15 dollars off, so with shipping it'd be ~45 I think.

Edit: It'd be $46 and change shipped, for those without the coupon it'd be $61 which is still considerably less than other places.
Click to expand...
may i ask where you got this coupon>???
w/o this coupon, zipzoomfly has it for $60 shipped wich is the cheapest i found it
 
BonzaiDuck

BonzaiDuck

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
16,496
1,959
126
Someone made a remark on behalf of the Ninja. JediYoda is pretty well on the mark about all of these coolers -- you could grade them by weight, attractiveness, and effectiveness.

Since they are air-cooled, effectiveness varies with fan-rpm and fan-CFM. The SI-120 has a thermal resistance of 0.18 C/W with fan spinning at 950 rpm, while the Ninja lags a tad at 0.19 and the same fan speed. At the higher fan-speed range -- above 2,500 rpm -- the Ninja has a thermal resistance of 0.13 C/W while the SI-120's value is 0.14.

These differences might not make more than a Fahrenheit degree or two's difference for processors with moderate thermal power. With higher thermal power, that difference may increase a degree or two.

Also, I think you might be able to improve CFM through the Zalman without increasing the noise if you duct its output side to an exhaust fan -- which you probably have in your case, anyway. So regardless of any limitation in the Zalman fan speed, you might be able to draw more air through it without an increase in noise.
 
drifter106

drifter106

Golden Member
Mar 14, 2004
1,261
57
91
In any investigation you need a control and 1 variable. Thus, you compare your results to a standard. The inferences I hear and what I take to be true makes your individual comparisons with little to stand on. In the reviews they can paint a more realistic picture due to the fact that all tests were done with the same hardware. If you want to throw out your data with your machine it is only fair to test a questionable component on the same machine and then collect and anyalsis your data. Like many have said, the conclusions are self evident. There are 3 or 4 who just stand out above the rest. If any of you are like me, and spend countless hours debating on what part to get for your project its a never ending battle to get the "ulimate" component at the cheapest price. Isn't that what Americans are all about.....LOL
 
A

allies

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2002
2,572
0
71
Originally posted by: bob9012
Originally posted by: allies
Originally posted by: orion23
Unless it is a secret, can you tell us where to get the 9500LED for $45?

Here, brand new review for the 9500LED. It doesn't do that well against the XP-90C


http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&articID=365
Click to expand...

mwave has it for $55... and I have a coupon for $15 dollars off, so with shipping it'd be ~45 I think.

Edit: It'd be $46 and change shipped, for those without the coupon it'd be $61 which is still considerably less than other places.
Click to expand...
may i ask where you got this coupon>???
w/o this coupon, zipzoomfly has it for $60 shipped wich is the cheapest i found it
Click to expand...


I purchased a component from mwave a LONG time ago, and since then, they've redone their website and need me to update my profile. In doing so, I receive store credit (which turns out to be $10, but getting the Zalman for $51 isn't bad, and I think I'm gonna go with it.)
 
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