Zalman ZM80C or Arctic Silcencer opinions?

[CasTroLTraN]

I recently just bought a 9800pro and in need of a good VGA cooler for it. While I was at Frys, I saw a Zalman ZM80C and the arctic silencer. They both are going for the same price of $29, so I don't know which one to get. I already have the optional fan for the zalman cooler, cuz I bought it by mistake a couple of months ago and had not have any use for it. I just want to know which one will be better at cooling a hot overclocked radeon 9800 pro.

 

[Nebor]

The Zalman is quieter, as it can be used without a fat, but the VGA Silencer will make the card, and your whole case, cooler.

 

[CasTroLTraN]

So Arctic silencer cools better than the zalman? Anyone else?

 

[Nebor]

Yes, it cools better, hands down. Even with the fan on the Zalman, the arctic cooler is better. I own both of them, and an R9800 Pro.

The problem with the Zalman is, it disperses that heat all over those huge heatsinks... which then radiate that heat slowly into your case. My case temps dropped like 7 degrees by switching from the Zalman to the VGA Silencer. Also, the VGA Silencer vents it's heat out the back of the case. Pretty nifty.

 

[CasTroLTraN]

Originally posted by: Nebor
Yes, it cools better, hands down. Even with the fan on the Zalman, the arctic cooler is better. I own both of them, and an R9800 Pro.

The problem with the Zalman is, it disperses that heat all over those huge heatsinks... which then radiate that heat slowly into your case. My case temps dropped like 7 degrees by switching from the Zalman to the VGA Silencer. Also, the VGA Silencer vents it's heat out the back of the case. Pretty nifty.

Yeah it is pretty nifty. But what if I have 2 large 120 mm fans dissipating heat out the back of the case, and I also have a 120 mm side fan. Would that still help the Zalman? I really like the Arctic for it's ability to cool but I would also like something that would look "cool" to see from the side window.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: CasTroLTraN

Originally posted by: Nebor
Yes, it cools better, hands down. Even with the fan on the Zalman, the arctic cooler is better. I own both of them, and an R9800 Pro.

The problem with the Zalman is, it disperses that heat all over those huge heatsinks... which then radiate that heat slowly into your case. My case temps dropped like 7 degrees by switching from the Zalman to the VGA Silencer. Also, the VGA Silencer vents it's heat out the back of the case. Pretty nifty.

Yeah it is pretty nifty. But what if I have 2 large 120 mm fans dissipating heat out the back of the case, and I also have a 120 mm side fan. Would that still help the Zalman? I really like the Arctic for it's ability to cool but I would also like something that would look "cool" to see from the side window.

Er, yeah, the Zalman w/ the fan on it does look pretty cool on it.... But that would be 3x 120mms and 1x 92mm.... So you could see it from the side window... and hear it from the side of the street....

You need 1 120mm exhuast. Side fans really don't help things much at all, they just sorta mess up air flow. A front mounted 120mm would be better. Plus you have fans in your power supply acting as exhuast...

You definitely don't need 3x 120mm fans though, that's just crazy.

 

[CasTroLTraN]

LOL... I also have another 120 mm on the top of my case and two 92mm in the front of the case. But only 2 fan in the psu ( I would prefer more but oh well...)Crazy for cooling eh?

 

[Nebor]

You realize that you're getting no better cooling with all those fans than you would with one intake 120mm and one exhuast 120mm, right? You're just making extra noise.

 

[Cerb]

The Zalman has the cool factor, and is quiet.
The VGA SIlencer does a better job. Both will do it, and do it well, though.
Dude, that's too many fans.
Get the Silencer. 1. Cheaper, 2. you obviously aren't worried about noise 🙂, and 3. cools a bit better.

 

[CasTroLTraN]

Thanks guys. I just ran out to Frys about an hour ago and bought the silencer. And guess what? It is $5 cheaper than the zalman. Great product!!!