Is the TT Silent Boost better than the stock AMD HSF?

[MichaelD]

Hello AT,

I'm beginning to piece together my duallie-Opteron rig. I plan on buying the Retail CPUs simply for the 3-year warranty; for $20 apiece over the OEM version, the peace of mind is worth it.

Anyway, I'm aiming for as quiet a rig as possible...but not at the cost of cooling performance.

How good/bad is the AMD HSF that comes with the Opteron? I know it's "sufficient" but that's all MOST OEM HSF's are.

Is the Silent Boost "that much" better?

Thanks.

 

[Operandi]

Thermaltake = lameness

If you want a real heatsink look at Alpha, Thermalright, or Zalman

 

[WobbleWobble]

I disagree. The SilentBoost is a fine HSF for the money. It has a similar thin finned design as the Thermalrights and paired with the Panaflo version, how can you go wrong?

 

[Gravity]

Originally posted by: Operandi
Thermaltake = lameness

If you want a real heatsink look at Alpha, Thermalright, or Zalman

:thumbsup:

Thermalright or zalman IMO.

 

[MichaelD]

Any other thoughts?

 

[xbassman]

I am gonna have to agree with Wobble Wobble.
Anybody who says that a SilentBoost is lame has never used one.
I wouldn't say it is quite as good as the top of the line Thermalright, but it will get you with in 1-3C of it.

The fan that comes stock with it is a Panaflo M1A FBL series.
I use one in my HTPC and it works well. Definately better than stock, and better than a lot of coolers out there. It is a quality sink that comes with a brightly polished base. (You won't need to lap it)

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks, xbassman. A well-written and informative reply; exactly what I was looking for.

 

[RiDE]

I had a silentboost and it worked fine, perhaps just as well as my SK7. Not all thermaltakes are shoddy products. I would pick that over the stock heatsink anyday.

 

[xxichibanxx]

i just bought a TT Extreme 12 and i'll let you know how it goes. basically the same heatsink but w/ 2 more fins and a different fan. definitely better than stock, look at the reviews on NewEgg. i've had an Alpha PAL8045 but that's just not going to cut it anymore, i've have a CoolerMaster HHC-001 and that can't cut it anymore. anyone looking for good performance for a cheep price can go ahead and buy ThermalTake. i've had Volcano 6's, 7's and 9's and now i'll have an Extreme12. my favorite had to have been the ThermoEngine heatsink that i bought 4years ago. i think it was well ahead of it's time. it came out before heatpipes did. it had a copper core, aluminum fins, and a liquid inside the copper core to transfer heat. from a technological standpoint it was great in my opinion. but not everyone can afford 40-50+ dollars for a ThermalRight on their systems that probably don't need such elaborate cooling. in which a TT will do more than suffice. as long as you get a cooler that is made for your processor then you're fine. sure ThermalRights and Zalmanns are great, but pricey. short on cash, get a TT, got a lot to spend go w/ the other 2.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks much xxichibanxx. Please let us know how that new cooler works out.

I know that I could get the Thermalright 947s; but I don't want to deal with bolting thru the mobo...not on a $500 mobo!! :Q No way. I currently have and use an SLK800 and SLK900; best SocketA HS's out there, IMHO.

I know you can find the Silent Boost for decent prices if you shop around...that has something to do w/it too.