I'm a bit out of the loop. What's the best Heatsink/Fan combo now?

[atomicbomberman]

I grew up from the age when only one brand matters: Alpha.. I know there are better heatsinks out there then my Pal8035 or my older PEP66U, what do you people use? What's the best heatsink and fan now? I'm thinking about upgradeing in the summer and I figure for my oc plan I probably need something better. Can someone please help?

 

[Witchfinder]

It seems to be a shootout between the Thermalright AX-7, the Alpha 8045, the Swiftech 462 and the Thermaltake Volcano 7+

I think that you`d be happy with any of these and it depends on which you can easily get, they all have advantages disadvantages

AX-7 - hard to get in the UK, I`m still waiting for mine often seems to ship with the screamy Delta which is best removed and replaced with a more sane panaflo and there isn`t an option for P4 users - BUT seems to pip the others just to the post in cooling -fan-for-fan- and mounts using all three socket lugs, it`s excellent value too

Alpha - a pig to mount apparently, a few have killed their CPUs by doing it wrong and won`t fit boards without the holes around the socket but is up there with the AX7 and 462

Swiftech - Damn expensive and exclusive hole mount also but it`s a whisker between this and the AX-7 either way cooling wise, competition is good and I can see Swifty having to lower their prices

Volcano 7+ - Uses a 70MM fan which will be hard to replace when it packs up and fits using just the middle mounting lug (big mistake) BUT the price is superb, it`s in the running with the others and it comes with a speed control AND a fan as standard, it also comes with a P4 mounting kit which is so good that it makes you think that the Athlon support was an afterthought..

I went for the AX-7 as the combination of price, lack of supplied fan on UK models (we ALL have loadsa 80mm fans abpout don`t we ;-) and performance though i AM still waiting for it after 2 weeks..

 

[SWScorch]

ThermalRight AX-7, uses an 80mm fan and connects using all three cleats on the mobo socket. Seems to be the best performer out now.

Alpha PAL8045- this is the heatsink I'm using. Also uses 80mm fan. Connects via 4 bolts that are connected to the motherboard itself. Its a PITA to install and requires the disassembly of your computer but it is very stable and performs great.

Swiftech MCXC462 - think Alpha PAL8045. Almost identical.

ThermalRight SK-6 - your basic "brute force" concept; make a smallish all-copper heatsink with lots of fins and blow a lot of air through it. It works well as long as you use a high speed fan (60mm)

CoolerMaster HCC-001 - another all-copper cooler that uses heatpipes and a powerful 60mm fan to achieve good temperatures.

 

[Crucial]

Gotta say I like the AX-7. I had the SK-6 and it was ok. Just installed the AX-7 last night with the enermax adjustable speed fan and it is already dropped my temps 6 degrees C(33 idle). That is with the fan at 2500rpm. I still mave another 800rpm to go if I want it.

FYI, I had a slow(29cfm) 80mm fan on the sk6. With the unbearable delta I was running at 30C idle 40C full load. I couldn't stand the noise.

One thing to add. The AX-7 has a very non user-friendly clip. I have probably installed hsf's more than 50 times and this is the first time I have ever had the screwdriver slip while installing it. THANK GOD I didn't jab anything too hard. I would have been one pissed off mf'er if I had ruined my MB.

 

[atomicbomberman]

Thanks a lot guys, looks like i'll either be the AX7 or the Alpha Pal 8045 for me =)

 

[CubicZirconia]

I seem to be too late, but I'll still reccomend the hhc-001. I've gotten great temps with it.