Zalman 9700 vs. Tuniq Tower 120

[JimiP]

Hey all,

I got a question for any of those that have actually used either of these coolers. Which of these two coolers, (Zalman 9700 & Tuniq Tower 120) do you recommend for a Q6600? Now, to tell you the story of how this question came to be for me.

I have the majestic Tuniq sitting atop my Q6600 and DFI LP DK P35-T2RS. In the BIOS, the speedstep settings are enabled (I am new to DFI so I'm still trying to get used to the expansive BIOS.) It has my CPU running at 1.6GHz. You would imagine that the temperatures would be pretty low at this frequency... that's where I thought wrong. CoreTemp is telling me that it is running at a shocking ~50C+ on idle. That's just not right. I have checked and double checked that the tower is installing correctly, I have become a pro at making sure TIM is spread evenly P) and I just have no idea as to why it's running so hot. Right now I have my PC disassembled on my kitchen island as I decide what to do.

I understand that there are many factors that can change the outcome of CPU temps, such as uneven surfaces, poor TIM application and simply an incorrect installation of the cooler itself. I have not lapped my CPU and Tuniq because so far, I have not built up the courage to do so. LOL I have heard some wonderful stories about that making a rather large (good) difference. But right now I just don't want to chance me making a mistake. I'm working long hours and I'm mentally stressed when I get home. That doesn't equal perfect timing to do something such as lapping a $189 CPU and $50 HSF. haha So, as a last resort (nothing personal ladies & gents!) I have come to ask you all for help. I wanted to try and spend the time and figure it all out myself but there may be someone else going thru the same situation as I am and this might be able to help him/her out as well.

Well, what do you all think?

 

[disports]

I haven't used the Zalman 9700 (I have used the Zalman 9500 AT), but I would recommend the Tuniq Tower 120 (which I'm currently using). Zalman's are overpriced.

 

[CurseTheSky]

I think the general consensus was the 9700 performed worse, and cost a lot more than many other coolers. I'd guess (from what I heard) it performs on par with a Freezer 7 Pro, maybe worse.

 

[Corporate Thug]

the Tuniq performs slightly better

http://www.frostytech.com/arti...?articleid=2221&page=5

 

[zerogear]

My CPU is running on CNPS9700 w/ Q6600 @ 3.2GHz, my idle temp is 29-32C. So there is something definitely wrong with your heatsink application or your case airflow isn't that great; considering CNPS9700 is supposed to be low-rpm/low-noise cooler, where Tuniq is supposed to be a performance cooler.

 

[1BakedAlaskan]

I have the Zalman 9700LED Version, and a TRUE 120, and there's no Comparison. The Thermalright Ultra 120 is by Far the Superior Cooling Device. As the Tuniq 120 is very Similar I would say that you might have a little more Trouble fitting it in your Case, than the Zalman 9700. I Installed mine into an Ultra XBlaster Midtower, and had major Problems getting it to Fit with the Side Panel, so much so, that I had to Modify the Side Panel and File the Heat Pipe Termination Tips on the Top of the True 120 in order to get the Case Panel to Slide over it. Recommendation: Double Check the Inside height From your Motherboard to the Top of the Side Panel before Purchasing.

My Idle Temps with a E6850 @3.6Ghz are running about 33c Idle, 46c Load witch is Uber Cool in my Book.

Oh Yeah, on my EVGA 680i, E6420/ Zalman CNPS9700 LED Combo, runs about 44c Idle, still better than the 65 or So than I got from the Stock Intel heatsink.

 

[F1shF4t]

JimiP is your q6600 a B3 or G0. A real bad B3 that I have even lapped used to idle at 50C with a TRUE120. Even with water cooling it used to get 70C+ at load. (Using linpack)

What are your load temps?

 

[Drsignguy]

I have 2 Q6600's ( both G0 ) and both have a tuniq sitting on them. So, with that being said, for comparison:
(1) with vid of 1.325v OC to 3.0Ghz, Vcc @ 1.40v in bios, temps at full load is 52c-60c. Tuniq is not lapped, CPU is. <-----Long story about this quad....
(2) with vid of 1.262v OC to 3.4Ghz, vcc @ 1.43v in bios, temps at full load is 49c-57c. Tuniq is lapped, CPU is not.

 

[nerp]

I have both coolers and the Tuniq is better in most every respect. The Zalman is a pretty object, but that isn't that important. It does the job just fine, but the Tuniq cools better and is quieter. The Zalman can be pretty dang loud at full speed. I use fan control so my cooler is dead silent until the CPU crosses the 50C threshold and that _never_ happens with the tuniq. Even when I use the intel burn test on my E8400, temps never go beyond 48-49C. Impressive.