GC68 with Vantec Stealth fan on a XP 2000+?

[BlueWeasel]

My setup:

Epox 8RDA Nforce2 board
XP 2000+ (not OC'ed)
Retail AMD HSF

Currently, my idle and load temps are roughly 35C and 38C, respectively. Honestly, from a cooling issue, I have no problems with the performance of the retail HSF and are satisified with those temps.

However, the low prices at SVC are tempting and I wonder if I could reduce the noise somewhat by going with a GC69 heatsink from SVC paired with a quiet Vantec Stealth 24cfm 80mm fan. How would this combo compare to the retail HSF?

Also, how do the Vantec fans compare to the Panaflow fans? I have always heard wonderful things regarding Panaflow, but the Vantec has 3cfm more airflow with the same noise level (21db).

FYI, I don't plan on overclocking, and understand I will need more performance (ie, SK-7) if I decide to. Right now, I am looking at a quiet HSF combo that has better performance than the retail HSF.

As always, suggestions are welcome...

 

[Ness]

From expirience, stealths SUCK as heat-sink fans.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the only reason stealths are quiet is because they have less RPMs. logically, this won't cool as well. When I swapped out my fan for a stealth, it raised my temps by 10-14 degrees.

Of course, everyone is welcome to their opinions and freedom to try.

I would recommend a different approach. Use a regular fan, and add a voltage regulator to it. When it's getting to loud for you, turn it down a bit, and just like a stealth that will give it less RPMs. If it gets hot, turn it up. With a stealth, it's low all the time and offers nothing if it gets too hot.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Are you referring to all lower RPM, quiet 80mm fans used as HS fans, or just Stealth fans in particular?

If not the Vantec, what about the Panaflows?

 

[mechBgon]

Even with the stock 32cfm fan, the guys at SVC aren't recommending the GC-68 for anything past an 1800+. I have a GC-68 which I tested with several 80mm fans including an extra-quiet 80mm NMB, a Panaflo L1A and the stock fan. The results were not nearly as good as my (rather loud) $7 $7 Coolermaster when I tested the GC-68 on my 1.0@1.33GHz Duron. The GC-69 looks a little better, but still too narrow at the base to really use all the air from an 80mm fan.

Lots of people do use the GC-68 on AthlonXPs and even Thoroughbreds (despite GC-68's lack of a copper base) so evidently it can be done. The SK-7 is one of the all-around best alternatives if you want to use an 80mm fan. A Panaflo L1A would get the job done with the SK-7, provided your case temperature stays at reasonable levels.

BTW, the Panaflos tend to have a pretty intense airstream for their overall rating, and are good for cramming air inbetween heatsink fins.

 

[skriefal]

I use two GC68s with Panaflo L1As in my dual processor Athlon 1600+ box, and temps are fine. With a 2000+ processor the temps might get a bit toasty, but I wouldn't be surprised if they'd still be (barely) within AMD's official specs. In other words, not anything to brag about but probably still stable. However, if I had 2000+ processors I'd probably use a more efficient heatsink such as the Thermalright SK-7 or SLK-800, combined with a reasonably quiet Panaflo or NMB fan.

 

[chizow]

I would go with a slightly higher priced variable speed dual-bearing fan, as the better ones out there are capable of pushing lots of air but also can get to around the rpms and dBA of the stealth/panaflos. As someone already mentioned, dBA is more dependent on RPMs than anything else. This'll give you flexibility in balancing your need for cooling and silence. I ordered a TT Smartfan II just for this reason. It can be loud (60 dBA???) and push 77 CFM, but with its variable speed capabilities it can get down to 30-ish CFM and 23dBA I believe.

Chiz

 

[BlueWeasel]

Thanks for the input, guys....

I think I am going to go with the SK-7 with a Panaflow 24cfm 80mm fan from SVC.

 

[T2T III]

I'm running the GC-69 with my AMD Thoroughbred XP1800+ OC to XP2100+. My cooling temps have remained under 40c with my Shuttle AK31A motherboard. The GC-69 is pretty quiet - even though the fan isn't quite as quiet as the NMB fan that they sell. The GC-69 also comes with a very nice clip that connects to all 6 prongs on the CPU socket. The GC-68 only connects to two of the prongs (one on each side.)

 

[BalAtWork]

I have 4 panaflo 120mm fans lying around. I am building a new AMD 2100 OC computer and want to keep the noise down. Are there any experiences with that you guys know of at utilizing a 120mm fan on these 80mm desinged heatsinks? That way I could run the fan on the 5v rail and get the rpm WAY down but the cfm the same.

Any ideas? Links? Help?

 

[amdskip]

Originally posted by: BalAtWork
I have 4 panaflo 120mm fans lying around. I am building a new AMD 2100 OC computer and want to keep the noise down. Are there any experiences with that you guys know of at utilizing a 120mm fan on these 80mm desinged heatsinks? That way I could run the fan on the 5v rail and get the rpm WAY down but the cfm the same.

Any ideas? Links? Help?

Don't waste your time.

 

[BlueWeasel]

On a side note, does the Panaflow L1A fan appear out of stock at SVC? Link

I don't have a buy now button, and assume its OOS.

 

[BalAtWork]

amdskip,

Thanks for the help... ???

Anyone else want to chime i nand lend a hand. I might as well try since all i need is a duct adapter. I was just wondering on cfm's of a 120 at 5v versus these 80mm

 

[amdskip]

Originally posted by: BalAtWork
amdskip,

Thanks for the help... ???

Anyone else want to chime i nand lend a hand. I might as well try since all i need is a duct adapter. I was just wondering on cfm's of a 120 at 5v versus these 80mm

I'm freakin serious. It will not help! You would need a huge adapter and you would have to make it from hand. Just run a panaflo at stock voltages and forget about it, you won't hardly hear them.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: BalAtWork
amdskip,

Thanks for the help... ???

Anyone else want to chime i nand lend a hand. I might as well try since all i need is a duct adapter. I was just wondering on cfm's of a 120 at 5v versus these 80mm

I think what amdskip is saying is that the benefits and overrall results wouldn't justify going through all the trouble. Fan adapters don't work that well in general b/c of turbulence that can result in less air hitting the heat sink. I think results are better if a fan "sucks" air off the sink instead of blowing into a smaller adapter or funnel. Also, the Panaflos really won't benefit a quiet rig set-up unless you have a similar dBA fan on your HSF and PSU. Remember, your rig is only as quiet as your loudest fan, so if you have 18 Panaflos and 1 high rpm Delta, all you'll hear is the Delta, and it'll be loud. It'll sound the same as a rig with the same Delta. I'm looking into Rheostats now for this reason, there's times I would like to dial-down the loudest fans in my case.

Chiz

 

[BalAtWork]

I am using the 120mm in place of all fans. I did it on my last power supply and case. A little dremel goes a LONG way.

I see what your saying about the turbulance. I happen to do turbulance studies as well as fluid dynamics at work so I am familiar with the problems your talking about. I cut out all the holes for the fans and replace with rounded bar fan grills. The less obstruction the lower the sounds created. I pad all contatc points with rubber/foam gasket to minimize vinration.

I have a fan funnel that is a 80 to 120 that I will use with padding in between each piece to minimize vibration. It SHOULD fit the slk 800 no problem

The sucking idea is one I will have to test. The reason for the 120mm fans is I have them already, but using a 5v rail to run them I have had readings below 20db before. This computer will set about 3 ft from my head when I sleep and I want QUIET.

I appreciate the help guys...I guess I can figure it out on my own.

 

[Ness]

Originally posted by: amdskip

Originally posted by: BalAtWork
I have 4 panaflo 120mm fans lying around. I am building a new AMD 2100 OC computer and want to keep the noise down. Are there any experiences with that you guys know of at utilizing a 120mm fan on these 80mm desinged heatsinks? That way I could run the fan on the 5v rail and get the rpm WAY down but the cfm the same.

Any ideas? Links? Help?

Don't waste your time.

exactly what I was thinking. when you consider that the fan is about 4 times bigger than the area of the proc. itself, it's not only going to get in the way, but it will be blowing/sucking air that isn't even hot from the processor. You have to think that most heatsinks use 60mm fans, with a 120mm fan, that's 4 times the size of the original fan. It would run into EVERYTHING and be a total pain in the ass, for MAYBE 3-5 degrees change.

 

[Blooz1]

Hmm.using an adapter with an SLK-800 will require some thinking.... They use wire clips rather than screws to hold the fan to the HS....Thes clips attach to the HS and go up and over the fan..Many people have a hard time with this setup using regular fans! I think you'd have to make your own clip setup as the stock clips can be tight with a regular 80MM fan...

 

[Ness]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
Are you referring to all lower RPM, quiet 80mm fans used as HS fans, or just Stealth fans in particular?

If not the Vantec, what about the Panaflows?

Sorry for not answering this earlier, but specifically stealths, because of the low RPM issue. I believe panflos run quiet because of their design, not because of their speed.

 

[Mallow]

GC-68 is rated 1800 but many have used it for up to 2000 I believe.