CPU Cooling for Winne/X2

[imported_rod]

At the moment, I have a 3200+ Winchester, but Im planning to upgrade to a 4400+ Dual core later this year/early next year. So, I just want to make sure that whatever I get will still be good then. From the reviews I've seen, the produce less heat than a 130nm chip, and only 20% more than a 90nm chip. So anything thats out at the moment should do the job -right?.

I want something that's quieter and colder than stock cooling, an I don't want anything too big, as i take my computer to LANs every now and then.

I've been looking at 3 heatsinks:

The zalman 7000B-Cu is AU$60 (US$45) here: http://www.pccasegear.com/prod911.htm
The XP-90 with fan is AU$79 (US$60) here: http://www.pccasegear.com/prod2405.htm
The XP-90C with fan is AU$99 (US$75) here: http://www.pccasegear.com/prod2513.htm
Note: For the Thermalrights, I can choose between a high or low speed 92mm panaflo with RPM monitoring.

Also, how much maintainence do these Heatsinks take? I've heard that the Zalmans need to be cleaned every month or two or they get clogged with dust. Whart about the XP-90, does it require much cleaning?

Im leaning toward the XP-90, but I just want to make sure it's the best choice.

RoD

 

[milkrocks]

The next cooler i will be buying is the Thermaltake Big Typhoon.

http://www.newegg.com/OldVersion/app/Vi...Desc.asp?description=35-106-061&depa=0

There's a recent review here

http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/20050607/index.html

That review looks at 10 big coolers. I'm a huge fan of the 30db nature of the Big Typhoon and you shouldnt have any mounting issues with it. 120mm fans are awesome!

 

[imported_rod]

Thanks milkrocks. Just had a look, and the Big Typhoon seems decent, but it's huge. As i said, i dont want something too big.

That's why Im thing XP-90. It's only 360grams, and accepts a 92mm fan.

RoD

 

[imported_Kensai]

Either of the XP-90s, the XP-90 is better bang for the buck/weight.

 

[milkrocks]

I would definitly spring for the all copper XP-90. It can remove a lot more heat from your CPU. You might be able to run your 92mm panaflo at a slightly lower RPM as well for lower fan noise with the copper version.

The other great thing about the XP-90C is the easily replaceable fan. Even the best heatsinks will need a new fan eventually as the bearings will go - even in a nice panaflo. With the XP-90C its no trouble to buy a new one and BLAMO you have a brand new heatsink!

 

[imported_rod]

So definately one of the thermalrights then.

I heard that there was only 1C or 2C difference between the XP-90 and XP-90C. Also, the XP-90C is about three times as heavy. So unless it is a heap better, i thought the XP-90 would be better.

XP-90 and XP-90C will be just as easy to replace the fan on, wont they.

RoD

 

[NatePo717]

I have the Zalman 7000B - Cu and the thing is a beast. I have idle temps of 30 - 31 C on my oc'd Athlon 3000+. It never gets above 39 C. It does collect dust over time but all you have to do is grab an air can and blast it real quick and that's it. Not to mention its quiet.

 

[imported_rod]

Does anyone have a link to a decent heatsink review, with the zalmans and the thermalrights?...

RoD

 

[peleejosh]

Originally posted by: milkrocks
I would definitly spring for the all copper XP-90. It can remove a lot more heat from your CPU. You might be able to run your 92mm panaflo at a slightly lower RPM as well for lower fan noise with the copper version.

The other great thing about the XP-90C is the easily replaceable fan. Even the best heatsinks will need a new fan eventually as the bearings will go - even in a nice panaflo. With the XP-90C its no trouble to buy a new one and BLAMO you have a brand new heatsink!

I thought that because copper is a better conductor of heat, that it gets hotter thatn the Aluminum and therefore needs more air to dissipate the extra heat?

 

[peleejosh]

Here is a pretty good heatsink rounup that lists thermalrights and zalmans
http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&articID=224

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: peleejosh

Originally posted by: milkrocks
I would definitly spring for the all copper XP-90. It can remove a lot more heat from your CPU. You might be able to run your 92mm panaflo at a slightly lower RPM as well for lower fan noise with the copper version.

The other great thing about the XP-90C is the easily replaceable fan. Even the best heatsinks will need a new fan eventually as the bearings will go - even in a nice panaflo. With the XP-90C its no trouble to buy a new one and BLAMO you have a brand new heatsink!

I thought that because copper is a better conductor of heat, that it gets hotter thatn the Aluminum and therefore needs more air to dissipate the extra heat?

Cu conducts heat better then AL but releases it into the air slower. In theory a AL or AL/Cu heatsink would work better with slower fans but it seems most Cu heat sinks work just fine even with very slow fans.

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: rod
So definately one of the thermalrights then.

I heard that there was only 1C or 2C difference between the XP-90 and XP-90C. Also, the XP-90C is about three times as heavy. So unless it is a heap better, i thought the XP-90 would be better.

XP-90 and XP-90C will be just as easy to replace the fan on, wont they.

RoD

The all copper version is not worth a 1C drop, and it costs/weighs a heckuva lot more. Also, copper may hold a greater amount of heat, but aluminum is king when it comes to dissipation. Thus a copper base with aluminum fins should theoretically work best.

 

[imported_rod]

Thanks for the link "peleejosh". So, from that review, it seems that i can get the XP-90 with a panaflo for great cooling/noise or get it with a Vantec Tornada for awesome cooling power.

I think I'll go with a Panaflo, as it comes included with the fan (from the place I'm buying it anyway). Which would be better: High or Low speed?

RoD

 

[imported_killuminati]

The Big Typhoon is too big , in some mobos , half of it comes out , if ur using a LGA775 Platform .
Thermalright are excellent coolers , but the XP-90C copper one is expensive compared to the fact that it only cools 2 degress more then the alumumiun one .
i will go with Zalman , looks kewl , nearly all of it is copper and its noosieless if compared to other , the Fan-Mate thing that comes IT , Controls the Nosie and RPM .

Peace & ciao !!!

 

[imported_rod]

Thanks for the input, but I think Im still going to go with the XP-90. I like the fact that I can change the fan, and it weighs about half as much as the zalman.

Thanks all.
RoD

 

[Sentential]

Another option would be Thermaltake's Silent Tower. I use on on my sis's rig and it is better than my XP120 in all aspects. Pic:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/Sentential/IMG_1965.jpg

 

[imported_rod]

Thanks for the pic. I like the idea of the silent tower, but it is f**cking big and heavy, and my computer gets moved around too much to risk it.

RoD