SK-7 & TT SF2 vs Zalman 7000-cu

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Any thoughts on

Thermalright SK-7 and Thermaltake SmartFan II

versus

Zalman CNPS7000-Cu

versus

Zalman CNPS7000-AlCu

Plan on pairing the HS\F combo with AS ceramique.

Currently looking mostly for performance, which is why I'm here your opinions . However, if they perform similarly, I'll probably get the zalman due to it's reviews of being quiet.

CPU being cooled is a AMD Athlon XP 2500+ @ 2.0GHz (200x10) @ 1.7V. It hits around 54-56°C full load and about 48°C idle with Stock AMD HS\F. Just trying to get a little future proofing in.

Will probably push it up to 200x11 after I get some faster memory. My Corsair XMS PC2700-C2 is pretty much reached its limit running 400MHz 11-3-3-2.

 

[jarsoffart]

I think the Zalman CNPS7000-Cu will give you the most performance, but make sure it's compatible with your mobo. I know for the Abit NF7-S you need to cut off part of the heatsink.

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

A7N8X Deluxe.

Knew I was forgetting something...

Though, that is an added benefit. You can never really tell to scale how big things are based solely on internet product images . Not a good thing to buy stuff that won't fit without modification

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Zalman's Tech Specs say the heatsink is 109x109.

I took out a measuring tape I had around and just a little over 5½cm from the center of the die to the power supply, and plenty of room between the CPU and video card. Minor possibility of interferance from a few capacitors on the 'bottom' of the CPU socket. Plenty of room to the right.

It would probably be a tight fit, but have any A7N8X-DLX people successfully put a zalman 7000cu on this board?

 

[WarCon]

I have seen quite a few reviews (always go look before I buy) and I was worried a bit about the weight, but from quite a few reviews the Zalman 7000 Alcu version performs almost identically to the full copper one and is much lighter, so I bought that one.

The Sk-7 with the Smartfan will perform comparably, but the fan has to be turned up to where you can hear it. The Zalman is very quiet even on full speed and still gives the great performance.

JMTC

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Sounds like I'll be getting the Zalman then.

If the AlCu performs similiarly, weighs (less chance of cracking from weight), and costs less (always a plus ), I'll probably get the 7000AlCu

Thanks for the help guys