ZEROTherm coolers

[JPB]

ZEROtherm Nirvana

ZEROtherm ZEN

Are these two heatsinks the same except for the fan type and the longer fins on the Nirvana ? And on the Nirvana, can the fan be replaced with a standard 120mm fan between the sink fins ?

If someone that has a Nirvana could measure the width between the fins it would be greatly appreciated.

I figured a new thread about my concerns would be better than hijacking the other guys thread.

EDIT: These are the distances I need to know

ZEROTherm Zen

ZEROTherm Nirvana

HERE IS MY MOTHERBOARD LAYOUT. CHECK THE MOUNTING AND HEATSINK LOCATION

 

[JPB]

And also, anyone with a ZEROTherm Zen or the ZEROTherm Nirvana, can you measure from the base *that sits on the IHS* to where the bottom of the heatsink starts ? I basically need to know how long the exposed heatpipes are.

On the Gigabyte UD3P, about half an inch from one of the mounting holes for the sink, there is a Gigabyte heatsink for the North Bridge and it is around an inch tall.

So yea, I need to know if the heatpipes are at least that tall or taller, so the fins on the sinks wont interfere.

Thanks for the help

 

[I4AT]

I have the Zen and the UD3P and there is plenty of clearance between the fins and the northbridge heatsink. Personally, I'd go with the Zen even if the Nirvana performs a little better because you're guaranteed to be able to swap out the fan, not to mention the $25 price difference. The Zen keeps my E5200 (stock atm) at 31C load, 22C idle.

 

[JPB]

Originally posted by: I4AT
I have the Zen and the UD3P and there is plenty of clearance between the fins and the northbridge heatsink. Personally, I'd go with the Zen even if the Nirvana performs a little better because you're guaranteed to be able to swap out the fan, not to mention the $25 price difference. The Zen keeps my E5200 (stock atm) at 31C load, 22C idle.

That is what I was hoping someone would say. Would you happen to have a pic of your setup so I could see it before I place the order ?

Edit: And what case are you using ?

 

[I4AT]

Pics

Plenty of space over the mobo heatsinks and between the ram/VGA slots, unless you happen to have a VGA cooler that wraps around the back and the PCI-E slot is at the very top, then there might be some issues. If your case has a top mounted PSU it might be close, but you should be ok, the fins don't seem to extend much farther than the motherboard.

Case is a CM 590 (which is a piece of crap by the way, don't get one) and there looks to be about 20-25mm of space between the heatsink and the side panel. The 590 does have a bit more space between the mobo tray and the right side panel than your average case though, so a similarly sized case would probably have a bit more clearance from the top of the heatsink.

 

[JPB]

Thanks I4AT

I am using the Antec P182. You can see my thread in Cases/Cooling.

 

[Home Slice]

I 2nd I4At the Zen cooler fits perfectly with plenty clearance...You might want to change the fan once you get the cooler with more air flow and less noise.

 

[JPB]

Good advice Home Slice.

The ZEN is now ordered..just cannot believe it took me almost 2 weeks to figure out which one I wanted :shocked:

Yes, I do plan on changing out the fan though, hopefully higher CFM though as noise doesn't bother me at all coming from a fan.

I read a review today that says the ZEN is just a hair over six inches tall.

EDIT: Especially since the ZEN on Newegg now has a $30 MIR which makes it $13.99 AMIR :shocked: :thumbsup: