Thermalright 120 ultra extreme

[Cookie Monster]

So lapping isnt too hard if you know what your doing but my main concern is how bad is the mounting system?

What are the AT user opinion on this HS?

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster
What are the AT user opinion on this HS?

Don't 'do it', unless you can find one on eBay for $15! Otherwise, you'll suffer whore's remorse in the morning!

This is just my opinion, of course, but you asked...

Now, for your opinion...

Why would someone purposely pay top-dollar for a warped HSF with a crummy mount? Feeling lucky are you?

 

[Cookie Monster]

Lapping is simple as it is, and combine that with a nexus fan (the most silent fan ever) is what im currently thinking. I didn't really care about noise til I experienced it first hand. A high end PC with no noise is just so impressive.

However i want to know from first hand user experience how "crummy" the mount is.

Is there a difference between the non extreme version and the extreme version in terms of mounting system and the flatness of the HS?

 

[swtethan]

earlier today i was at 32c with my heatsink

 

[adairusmc]

I will post some results vs. my Zalman CNPS9500 when my Ultra120 extreme arrives on wednesday.

 

[Japong]

My initial results have been pretty dissapointing.

Finally got one in after about a month of back-order, and went through the process of pulling out my mobo to install it. After about an hour and a half I had the backplate in and the cooler connected. The install was fairly smooth, although the instructions could have been a little clearer. However, once everything was as tightened as it would get, I've noticed that the heatsink can still move and shift around quite easily, trying to tighten the 775 spring-loaded screws caused the cooler to shift and change positions annoyingly.

I'm thinking the motion combined with the weight of the tower is contributing to the poor cooling results so far. I have an e4300, originally overclocked to 3.1 ghz off the intel stock cooler. I had the stock fan set at full blast, and under load I could expect temperatures around 55-60c.

With the Thermalright installed, my load temperatures have risen into the high 60s, and my 3.1 overclock will cause my processor to overheat, even with only moderate CPU utilization. Further, touching the heatsink base while Speedfan is reporting 65+ degree temperatures reveals that it is still cool to the touch, it doesn't seem to be conducting much heat at all.

Am I missing something here, guys? I wasn't expecting to get results as nice as the ones that AT posted in the review, but I was expecting better performance than the stock HSF. As things stand I've dropped my CPU back to stock speeds until I figure out how to get my temperatures back down into an acceptable range. I've seen some of what people are saying about lapping the sink base... I really don't want to do it, and don't feel I should have to for a $70 cooler, but given the hassle involved with returns across the border, it'll probably be a better bet than trying to RMA.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Thanks for the reply. Keep em coming

 

[Daverino]

Originally posted by: Japong
Am I missing something here, guys? I wasn't expecting to get results as nice as the ones that AT posted in the review, but I was expecting better performance than the stock HSF. As things stand I've dropped my CPU back to stock speeds until I figure out how to get my temperatures back down into an acceptable range. I've seen some of what people are saying about lapping the sink base... I really don't want to do it, and don't feel I should have to for a $70 cooler, but given the hassle involved with returns across the border, it'll probably be a better bet than trying to RMA.

RMA it, definitely. From what I've been reading, the 'sliding heatsink' problem has been attributed to a poor mounting mechanism. The original mechanism had plastic washers under the screws. New ones do not have the washers and apparently fit much more snuggly. At this point, considering all the issues with this heatsink, I'd definitely verify with the company you ordered it from that it has the newer mounting setup or ask for a refund.

 

[Japong]

Dear god my day has just gone from bad to worse.

My box (and receipts) have just been cleared off my workbench by my wife, who was trying to clean the house before the garbage truck came by. At this point they are probably well on their way to a landfill.

Argh.

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: Japong
Dear god my day has just gone from bad to worse.

My box (and receipts) have just been cleared off my workbench by my wife, who was trying to clean the house before the garbage truck came by. At this point they are probably well on their way to a landfill.

Argh.

:|

 

[Check]

I installed my 120 extreme tonight and I love it.
I have an e6600 @ stock (not for long)
I was using a Zalman CNPS 7700 alcu from an old machine and was getting less than stellar results.

currently my machine is idling at 26C which is a hell of a lot better than what the Zalman was doing. Right now my mother board is reading 30C.
I am using a silenX fan like they did in the anandtech articles.

the installation instructions they give you are a little cryptic, so I would recommend downloading and printing out the ones they have on the web since they are much better. Other than that the installation was pretty straight forward, the hardest part was mounting the fan on with the metal clips they provide. The clips (wires) aren't as flimsy as other might have you believe, it will most definitely hold the fan on and keep it there without any problems, it just isn't bolted on like other heatsink fans are.

as for the "sliding heatsink" problem, the heat sink was moving around while I was mounting the heatsink, but once I tightened everything down it was in place and shouldn't move during any normal operation.

Finally, the pictures don't do the heat sink justice, this thing is a BEAST. As long as your case is to spec you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[Quiksilver]

about the mounting systems for the 120 and 120 extreme, obviously they have been complaints about the 120 extreme sliding and being able to move around abit, so my question would be is the non-extreme 120 a better buy? or could the sliding issues with the 120 extreme be reduced or perhaps even be reolved completely by using thing rubber groments to tighten grip to the cpu + heatsink (cant think of the word im looking for). such as these ones:
http://www.frozencpu.com/produ...met.html?tl=g7c111s202

Right now i can't deciede between the 120 and 120 extrmeme for my next build, i definitly dont want the tuniq tower its waaay to big.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: QuiksilverX1
...i definitly dont want the tuniq tower its waaay to big.

I am yet to read about a Tuniq Tower 120 not fitting into any case, or on a mobo, because of its size...

Have you?

*edit*

Please provide a link!

 

[Cookie Monster]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: QuiksilverX1
...i definitly dont want the tuniq tower its waaay to big.

I am yet to read about a Tuniq Tower 120 not fitting into any case, or on a mobo, because of its size...

Have you?

*edit*

Please provide a link!

It is huge regardless of what your trying to say. I mean look at the pics provided by various forum members especially XS!! they are friggn huge!

I dont like the fan used on it either. Too loud to enjoy good performance (decrease the noise i.e fanspeed and there goes good performance). Yeh, im a silence fanatic, id rather have a smaller HS witha nexus fan.

edit - nicely said QuiksilverX1. Im on the same boat as you.

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: QuiksilverX1
...i definitly dont want the tuniq tower its waaay to big.

I am yet to read about a Tuniq Tower 120 not fitting into any case, or on a mobo, because of its size...

Have you?

*edit*

Please provide a link!

I never said it doesn't fit into a case I said it's too big. As in it is just to damn big. I have a windowed case, I don't want to see a huge chunk of metal taking up most of the viewing space. I rather have a 120 simply because it is smaller in area, I don't mind it being taller.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster
It is huge regardless of what your trying to say. I mean look at the pics provided by various forum members especially XS!! they are friggn huge!

Bah! Here's mine. Does it look "friggn huge" to you?

Here's WHY they fit everything. Look at the 'friggn clearance' on these puppies!

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster
I dont like the fan used on it either. Too loud to enjoy good performance (decrease the noise i.e fanspeed and there goes good performance).

I'll agree with you on this!

1500 RPM is a good compromise between sound vs cooling, but it's a compromise all the same.

When you're pushing 4.0GHz, 2000 RPM is a MUST! Really, even more would be better...

1000 RPM is totally silent but performance takes a BIG hit, e.g. forget OCing at this speed!

Anyway, this isn't a Tuniq Tower thread, sooooo let's leave it at that...

 

[txtmstrjoe]

And how much experience and first-hand knowledge do YOU have with this piece of equipment..?

 

[nealh]

I own 2 of these...the base on both had lapped marks as if there was incomplete mirror finish....anyway looked ..ugh...but no performance affect...the bases were flat with machine lines...no mirror finish

When mounted it will slide a bit....but it seems to maintain contact over the core....

compared to my WCing setup it is solid performer....

I have run up to 1.5v on my e6600 and never failed due to heat infact temps on my L47G maxed at 62C.....

I will say the mounting hardware is not perfect..and I do not think the HS should slide but both HS perform the same and overall are very good ...Also not impressed with the base appearance..lapping probably would give bit better performance

Cost vs Tunig...Tunig tower wins(as you still need ot buy a fan for it)

my opinion is pure subjective as I have no other air cooler to compare it..and compared to water there is no comparison

The Ultra 120e is large and will fit in a standard ATX case with an 8.1in width....and depending on orientation will affect aftermarket NB coolers

 

[Cogman]

Humm, I got some really good results with this. Mounting is a beast (you can't install the fan without first mounting the Heatsink...) And if you have to replace your PSU, good luck.

The performance was great, and mine was lapped really well (Mirror finish, I was very impressed). My temps where 60 max on a e6600 OC 3.42 vcore 1.55, soooo, I think pretty good all around.

 

[wfp]

I got this hsf about two days ago. Initially I had a problem with the hsf being loose so I was able to twist it after it was mounted.

This is what I mean when I said I was able to twist the hsf.
http://img360.imageshack.us/my...?image=dsc00120en7.jpg

At first I tried to use a plastic washer to add more tension. I'm guessing with the hole in the middle to accommodate the screw, it didn't add more than 1 mm thickness.
http://img383.imageshack.us/my...?image=dsc00121fy3.jpg

I switched to using a dime. Yes, I know it is not centered That will be addressed later.
http://img398.imageshack.us/my...?image=dsc00122jj0.jpg



Using core temp .94(so add 15C if you like .95 temps), My temps went from 58-59C under load to 53-54C.

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: wfp
I got this hsf about two days ago. Initially I had a problem with the hsf being loose so I was able to twist it after it was mounted.

This is what I mean when I said I was able to twist the hsf.
http://img360.imageshack.us/my...?image=dsc00120en7.jpg

At first I tried to use a plastic washer to add more tension. I'm guessing with the hole in the middle to accommodate the screw, it didn't add more than 1 mm thickness.
http://img383.imageshack.us/my...?image=dsc00121fy3.jpg

I switched to using a dime. Yes, I know it is not centered That will be addressed later.
http://img398.imageshack.us/my...?image=dsc00122jj0.jpg



Using core temp .94(so add 15C if you like .95 temps), My temps went from 58-59C under load to 53-54C.

You never mentioned what CPU you are running, and what it is clocked at.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: wfp
I got this hsf about two days ago. Initially I had a problem with the hsf being loose so I was able to twist it after it was mounted.

This is what I mean when I said I was able to twist the hsf.
http://img360.imageshack.us/my...?image=dsc00120en7.jpg

At first I tried to use a plastic washer to add more tension. I'm guessing with the hole in the middle to accommodate the screw, it didn't add more than 1 mm thickness.
http://img383.imageshack.us/my...?image=dsc00121fy3.jpg

I switched to using a dime. Yes, I know it is not centered That will be addressed later.
http://img398.imageshack.us/my...?image=dsc00122jj0.jpg



Using core temp .94(so add 15C if you like .95 temps), My temps went from 58-59C under load to 53-54C.

Thanks for the pictures.

When you installed first without the washer or the dime, did you not have to press really hard when you engaged the screws?

 

[wfp]

Originally posted by: adairusmc
You never mentioned what CPU you are running, and what it is clocked at.

E4300 8x400@1.3125(in bios)

Originally posted by: Navid

Thanks for the pictures.

When you installed first without the washer or the dime, did you not have to press really hard when you engaged the screws?

No, it was quite easy. Only when I added the dime did it take quite a bit of effort to screw it down.

 

[Noubourne]

Any tower cooler that is mounted with plastic crap and springs is suspect imo.

My Scythe Infinity can be wiggled if I choose to do so; I don't.

The last good cooler mount I had was a Zalman 6000. The thing had a metal backplate with metal screws that cranked down tight as a frogs butt. If I had removed the mobo and waved it around in the air, I would not have worried for a SECOND that the cooler would budge or move at all.

All the tower coolers that I have seen have crap mounting mechanisms imo. The Scythe is only slightly better at mounting than the Thermalright. My Thermalright HR-05 SLI chipset cooler slides around without much force at all. It STILL cools 50% better than the stock cooler I had, and it does so without a fan.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: wfp
I got this hsf about two days ago. Initially I had a problem with the hsf being loose so I was able to twist it after it was mounted.

At first I tried to use a plastic washer to add more tension. I'm guessing with the hole in the middle to accommodate the screw, it didn't add more than 1 mm thickness.
http://img383.imageshack.us/my...?image=dsc00121fy3.jpg

That looks different than the one I have. Mine has a plastic washer.
You can see it in this picture.
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Navid/SizeCompare.jpg

I got mine from jabtech.com early may.