SLK-800 vs Alpha PAL8045

[Dannnn]

I'm undecided between the SLK-800 and the Alpha PAL8045 for my planned quiet non-overclocked XP 2400+ system.

I know the SLK is a touch better (couple of degrees) but I'm worried the mounting is a bit fragile, and don't like the thought of half a kilo of copper having a party in my case.

Any views either way? Are there other factors?

Dan

 

[muddocktor]

I happen to own both and while I tend to like the mounting method of the Alpha better, using the 4 holes around the socket, the clip for the SLK800 is by no means fragile. The clip on the SLK800 is pretty well constructed for a socket clip retention mechanism and I'm not afraid at all of it breaking or it shearing the lugs off 1 side of the socket. I have been using mainly Swiftechs and the Alpha before I bought the SLK800, but it's performance is very good and it has better clearance on the mobo than the 8045. I just bought 2 more for a dually folding rig I just put together last week.

 

[Dannnn]

Originally posted by: muddocktor
I happen to own both and while I tend to like the mounting method of the Alpha better, using the 4 holes around the socket, the clip for the SLK800 is by no means fragile. The clip on the SLK800 is pretty well constructed for a socket clip retention mechanism and I'm not afraid at all of it breaking or it shearing the lugs off 1 side of the socket. I have been using mainly Swiftechs and the Alpha before I bought the SLK800, but it's performance is very good and it has better clearance on the mobo than the 8045. I just bought 2 more for a dually folding rig I just put together last week.

interesting... how have you found the cooling to compare? Is there a real world difference?

 

[pmark]

I had both too, but I have the opposite opinion on the mounting method. With the Alpha, everytime I needed to either change CPU or mess with the heatsink, I had to remove the motherboard, a pain in the ass IMHO, so I switched.

Cooling wise, both are good, I was getting temps around 42C with a very low speed fan using both of them. If the mounting method isn't important to you then I would just get the cheaper one.

 

[JaRb0y]

ive got the pal, but i would suggest getting the slk800 due to its mounting method. if your gonna mess with the cpu often then the pal is not recommended. otherwise, like pmark said go for the cheaper one. performance wise they are nearly the same.

i see that your not going to overclock though so why are you going with such quality heatsinks?

 

[Dannnn]

Originally posted by: JaRb0y
ive got the pal, but i would suggest getting the slk800 due to its mounting method. if your gonna mess with the cpu often then the pal is not recommended. otherwise, like pmark said go for the cheaper one. performance wise they are nearly the same.

i see that your not going to overclock though so why are you going with such quality heatsinks?

so I can use the quietest possible fan. Have looked at various quiet cooling options and this seems the best one.

 

[soni]

Originally posted by: pmark
I had both too, but I have the opposite opinion on the mounting method. With the Alpha, everytime I needed to either change CPU or mess with the heatsink, I had to remove the motherboard, a pain in the ass IMHO, so I switched.

Then you are not mounting the PAL properly..

If you tighting the screws to hard, you cant unscrew them without removing the motherboard.
Thats why it have springs to help with the screws

Basically you just use enough force to feel the screw get tight, then unwind the screw half a rotation and you are set to go.
Then you can release the Top heatsink, without loosing the buttom mounting and remove the fan and heatsink while its still attached to the motherboard.

It does take a bit of practice, I know I did the same the first couple of times

 

[CaptnKirk]

The Alpha PAL8045 comes with a bunch of extra plastic/nylon washers. Place one of the extra washers on the backside
of the Mobo between the Mobo and the Nylon nut to help lock the aluminum stand-off in place.
You can even cut through one side of the washer making it in effect a Lock-Washer, so it will resist rotation when being
backed off from the top, where the mounting screw from the Spring-tensionors feed into the stands.
Works for me.

 

[BoomAM]

SLK-800.
IMO and many others, its the best air cooled HS out.

Pros:
Very fan scalable, can be used with a silent fan cand still get good temps, even when overclocking. Mines running with a YS-Tech Silent (20dBa, 27CFM)
They are quite durable as well.
As long as you dont move the pc around alot then the weight isnt a problem.
You dont have to mess around taking the motherboard out just to munt it.
It uses a 3 clip design so its pretty secure on your socket.

Cons:
You have to make sure its mounted on the socket right, or you`ll get some high temperatures.
You have to remember to put on the CPU balancer things, so theres les chance of the CPU getting crushed. A say get a shim instead.