Best cooler for i7?

[Krynj]

I might sell my Q6600, OCZ Vendetta 2, RAM, and Mobo to get myself setup with an i7. But first, I just wanted to know what the best cooler on the market is for it. NewEgg has this but I wasn't sure if there were any alternatives. $84 is a bit steep.

 

[Liberator21]

Yes, I would say the Noctua is currently the champ. $84 isn't that steep when you figure the cost of the two fans would be $42 by themselves. I actually didn't know it came with two, I might have to pick one up myself.

 

[yh125d]

Keep your VEND2 and use it

 

[yh125d]

Oh, you'll need a
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835233027

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme

done deal

 

[JMapleton]

I would even open the possibility of waiting for more coolers to come onto the market for the 1366 boards and oc midly with stock hs.

 

[SteveGo]

yup, TRUE, 'nuff said

 

[GLeeM]

Originally posted by: FetusCakeMix
NewEgg has this but I wasn't sure if there were any alternatives. $84 is a bit steep.

It was $70 a couple weeks ago.

If you wait until a little while after it is available again, the price will probably go back down to $70 according to what I have read in these forums.

 

[yh125d]

Why should he pay ~$60 for a TRUE which is often in need of lapping and performing worse or equal to the cooler he already has?

 

[ther00kie16]

Buy a kit to use your Vendetta 2. It should be on par with a TRUE.
Also, check out the Coolit Domino.

 

[Rubycon]

Vendetta2 as well as the Core Contact Freezer (which is better than the VEN2!) are NOT on par with the TRUE. Stop gauging idle temps and use real loaded temps particularly with overclocked/overvolted quads. This is where the extra heatpipes rise above the rest.

Right now the TRUE is THE cooler to beat, period.

 

[yh125d]

Originally posted by: Rubycon
Vendetta2 as well as the Core Contact Freezer (which is better than the VEN2!) are NOT on par with the TRUE. Stop gauging idle temps and use real loaded temps particularly with overclocked/overvolted quads. This is where the extra heatpipes rise above the rest.

Right now the TRUE is THE cooler to beat, period.

http://benchmarkreviews.com/in...1&limit=1&limitstart=6
http://www.frostytech.com/arti...?articleid=2244&page=5
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article818-page5.html
http://www.overclockersclub.co...s/ocz_vendetta_2/4.htm

Can you really say that he should sell the VEND2 that he ALREADY has, which in most reviews performs better than the 120, to pay extra for an Ultra Extreme that will probably need lapped to perform equal to it or even worse? When the TRUE actually does manage to pull ahead, is a 1-2c difference worth the trouble?

That would be a gross waste of time/money imo

 

[Rubycon]

None of those reviews tests it PROPERLY with an overvolted quad NOR do most reviewers understand total heat pipe capacity so its irrelevant. If one wants (currently) the highest CAPACITY HSF currently on the market, the TRUE is best, PERIOD.

I've used many heat pipe coolers on a toasty B3 Kentsfield and by far the TRUE got the lowest temps under full load under the worst conditions. All of them idled nearly the same temperature and most could overclock to the same speed. The Vendetta 2 three heatpipes became overwhelmed at 3.6GHz as temps reached 100C on all four cores yet with just two cores loaded was more than 30 degrees cooler and within 5 degrees of the TRUE and 3 degrees of the CCF.

 

[yh125d]

Originally posted by: Rubycon
None of those reviews tests it PROPERLY with an overvolted quad NOR do most reviewers understand total heat pipe capacity so its irrelevant. If one wants (currently) the highest CAPACITY HSF currently on the market, the TRUE is best, PERIOD.

I've used many heat pipe coolers on a toasty B3 Kentsfield and by far the TRUE got the lowest temps under full load under the worst conditions. All of them idled nearly the same temperature and most could overclock to the same speed. The Vendetta 2 three heatpipes became overwhelmed at 3.6GHz as temps reached 100C on all four cores yet with just two cores loaded was more than 30 degrees cooler and within 5 degrees of the TRUE and 3 degrees of the CCF.

So you're saying there's some huge difference between cooling an overvolted quad and a different processor with a 150w thermal load? That there's such a thermal difference between a 3.6gHz C2D and a C2Q that causes the TRUE to be somewhat disappointing compared to it's cheaper alternatives? And that this huge fundamental difference makes the TRUE rise above all others when on an overvolted quad instead? That a VEND2 matched with a 3.6gHz Kentsfield = 100c?



Disagree with Rubycon, that's fine. She does know what she is talking about however. But do not use profanities when you can't handle her discussion of the topic.


esquared
Anandtech Senior Moderator

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: yh125d

So you're saying there's some huge difference between cooling an overvolted quad and a different processor with a 150w thermal load? That there's such a thermal difference between a 3.6gHz C2D and a C2Q that causes the TRUE to be somewhat disappointing compared to it's cheaper alternatives? And that this huuge fundamental difference makes the TRUE rise above all others when on an overvolted quad instead? That a VEND2 matched with a 3.6gHz Kentsfield = 100c?

You're talking out of your ass

Well put it this way. I had my heatsinks tested for base true-ness by a facility that also does consulting work for Nasa. This person provided me with up front info on these. Being the experimenting type I had to try for myself and my conclusive experience matched his information. So in other words I wasted my time trying. It was fun. I believe this person's experience and word over things on the internet. Particularly someone on a forum resorting to profane insults. :thumbsdown:

 

[yh125d]

Originally posted by: Rubycon

Originally posted by: yh125d

So you're saying there's some huge difference between cooling an overvolted quad and a different processor with a 150w thermal load? That there's such a thermal difference between a 3.6gHz C2D and a C2Q that causes the TRUE to be somewhat disappointing compared to it's cheaper alternatives? And that this huuge fundamental difference makes the TRUE rise above all others when on an overvolted quad instead? That a VEND2 matched with a 3.6gHz Kentsfield = 100c?

You're talking out of your ass

Well put it this way. I had my heatsinks tested for base true-ness by a facility that also does consulting work for Nasa. This person provided me with up front info on these. Being the experimenting type I had to try for myself and my conclusive experience matched his information. So in other words I wasted my time trying. It was fun. I believe this person's experience and word over things on the internet. Particularly someone on a forum resorting to profane insults. :thumbsdown:

Ugh. This is rediculous.



Again, if you cannot manage a civil discussion, stay out of the thread.


esquared
Anandtech Senior Moderator


OP, do what you wish.

 

[Jessica69]

Ruby, it's like has been said before....you can present the facts to a dumbass but you cannot make the dumbass comprehend. Too bad he doesn't frequent some of the other forums that seek out the absolute best in cooling, be it air, water, LN2, chillers, etc. If he ever ventured out, he'd find out the TRUE stomps any other air cooler hands down and is currently the air cooler that has supported the highest OC on quads or dual core processors........cannot OC well if the cooler doesn't work well.

C'est la vie.......let the child live with his delusions.

 

[Arcanedeath]

The TRUE is the best if tweaked properly w/ a moderate to high CFM fan, for lowspeed fans there may be some better options due to fin spaceing, also you have to deal w/ the QC issues on the TRUE so be prepared to lap it if its not flat, but overalll for an overclocked quad its the best option out there (air anyways). If cost is an issue, just get a 1366 backplate for your existing HSF but be aware you prob. won't get as far as with a properly setup TRUE.

 

[aigomorla]

actually dont underestimate ruby.

I can think of only 5 people on this forum that could hold out in a long term technical conversation with her.

:X

She's too smart for her own good sometimes..

 

[Tullphan]

My daddy taught me to never argue with a woman.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Tullphan
My daddy taught me to never argue with a woman.

ruby doesnt argue..

she confuses and leaves... LOL..

 

[pennylane]

Remember kids: If it's not Thermalright, it's thermal WRONG.

 

[Shmee]

Is there a way to make a tuniq tower work for an i7? Have one, would be nice to use it.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: Shmee
Is there a way to make a tuniq tower work for an i7? Have one, would be nice to use it.

I'm sure you could get a custom plate made up with holes that line up with the new spacing.

 

[gamergrrrl]

Originally posted by: Tullphan
My daddy taught me to never argue with a woman.

That is very sound advice

I need a cooler for the i7 that will fit in the Antec 900 case WITH the side panel fan. I think I need something less than 150mm tall... I'm not totally sure.
Or if it will at least fit... please convince me that I don't need the 120mm side panel fan.