Thermalright IFX-14 with E8500 at 4GHz

[Stargazer77]

I'm torn between the Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme and the IFX-14.

Is it a good idea to use the Thermalright IFX-14 for my E8500 overclocked to 4GHz ?

What are the arguments in favor of using Thermalright IFX-14 and against?
Are there any significant temp difference between the two?

Will the IFX-14 fit on my Rampage Formula in a Antec P182 case?

Money is not an object NO i don't want to use water cooling.

This is what i plan to build:

CPU: Core2Duo - E8500
MOBO: Asus Rampage Formula - X48
RAM: Corsair Dominator 4 GB ( 2 x 2 GB ) DDR2-1066 (5-5-5-15)
HD: (Raid-0) 2 x 750GB SATA II
OS: Windows XP Pro 32 Bit
Media: Samsung SH-S203P/BEBN
Case: Antec P182 SE
PSU: Corsair HX620W
Video Card: GeForce 8800GTS 512MB
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme with 2x Noctua NH-U12P in Push-Pull config
Soundcard: Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional
24" Dell ULTRASHARP 2408WFP

 

[aigomorla]

on a dualcore you'll probably see no difference.

On a quadcore with more heat you'lll probably see some benifits.

On a dualcore i think you couldnt go wrong even with a ultima90.

 

[manimal]

The E8400 at 4.0 does just fine with a tuniq so the TRUE and the IFX should do nicely. My E8400 does about 52-54 at prime small ffts load. Games barely make it hit 40 though. After trying to cool Q6600s dealing with this E8400 has been very easy. Hell even a BigTyphoon with a better fan can cool a dual core really well and make overall motherboard temps like the PWM and nb alot cooler since its downdraft.

 

[VinDSL]

Get an IFX-14 before they quit making them...

Hell, you'll be the only guy in the world running one - or willing to admit to it!

Ultra-120 eXtremes are a dime-a-dozen, like tooth decay...

EDIT

And, before ppl start jumping my sh!t - let's see some pics of your IFX-14 setup - if you're man enough!

I'll believe it when I see it...

5000 bonus points to anyone running one in a Lian-Li case!

 

[Stargazer77]

Originally posted by: VinDSL
Get an IFX-14 before they quit making them...

Hell, you'll be the only guy in the world running one - or willing to admit to it!

Ultra-120 eXtremes are a dime-a-dozen, like tooth decay...

EDIT

And, before ppl start jumping my sh!t - let's see some pics of your IFX-14 setup - if you're man enough!

I'll believe it when I see it...

5000 bonus points to anyone running one in a Lian-Li case!

Love the sarcasm

So what you are saying is basically that buying the IFX-14 for the E8500 is overkill of epic proportions

And i should get it for bragging rights!

Well i was leaning towards the TRUE as the IFX-14 seems so HUGE! Imagine installing it on the MOBO and then go like "Maybe i shouldn't" :laugh:

Could it be that the temperature gain gets lost with it's large size, thus blocking the airflow more and the net result is zero.

Anyways... You cant go wrong by installing the TRUE with two NH-U12P in Push-Pull config!

If anybody thinks i should NOT buy the TRUE speak up now or forever hold your silence!

 

[manimal]

For a dual core I dont think a TRUE is really worth it. Get a Tuniq like Vin and save 60 bucks when you include the fan prices....be careful, once the Thermalright disease hits and you end up building a city of thermalright products in your case dont say we didnt warn you.

 

[DrMrLordX]

Actually I'd recommend the Noctura NH-U12P (it's a HSF, not a fan) in push/pull config:

http://www.anandtech.com/casec...howdoc.aspx?i=3268&p=5

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: DrMrLordX
Actually I'd recommend the Noctura NH-U12P (it's a HSF, not a fan) in push/pull config:

http://www.anandtech.com/casec...howdoc.aspx?i=3268&p=5

[RANT]
While unrelated to the actual performance of the heatsink, I'm kind of unhappy with AT over that review. Of course it's going to perform really well with twice the fans, what did you expect? It's not really fair to pit a true with a single fan up agianst a heatsink with two fans without rigging push-pull on the true as well.
[/RANT]

 

[geddiesburg]

And, before ppl start jumping my sh!t - let's see some pics of your IFX-14 setup - if you're man enough!

Muahahahaha I'm running an IFX-14 on my 680i motherboard.... and guess what.... it even has 2 140mm fans cooling it down! MUAHAHAHAHAHA (evil laughs suck when typing)

Hey guys, I was crapping my pants wen I was installing it on the motherboard considering it's weight. In fact I was so worried about it that I kept the case on it's side for the first few days. Then I manned up and stood it up. Surprisingly it really hasn't warped the board at all. The stand off locations coupled with the back plate really are effective at nearly eliminating bending. I have the Thermaltake armor case with the 25cm window fan. Ya... no more fan there! By the way... it's been 5 months since I installed it. No issues. It's amazing.

I purchased it because my QX6700 was running at 45°C on idle... I don't want to say what it was under load. I purchased this bad boy with 2 Aerocool 140mm fans and it's fixed. It now runs at 30°C on idle and 35-37° under full load. It's a beast. I'm not sure the fans are top notch, but they do the job. 15° difference is INSANE, this is the best air cooler you can get.

If you really want pics let me know and I'll get some going

Andrew

 

[VinDSL]

1) I'd like to see some pics - pics being worth a 1000 words...

2) Raw temps don't mean jack! How far above ambient are you?

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: manimal
Get a Tuniq like Vin and save 60 bucks when you include the fan prices...

Speaking of pics and so forth...

This is as close as I've come to 4 GHz on air... (3.99 GHz)

A Tuniq Tower 120 will handle 4 GHz with ease, but the MOSFETs and North Bridge take a beating - you can smell them cooking!

Why?

Because you can't put a Tower 120 on your MOSFETs and North Bridge...

 

[Soulkeeper]

both are incredibly large
i had to mod my case to make the ultra 120 extreme fit

 

[DerwenArtos12]

I'm still waiting to see someone with a true, mosfet coolers, a couple hr-05s, the ifx-10, the rear vga cooler and an hr-03, 8 thermalright heatsinks popping up all over a case, come on, someone has to have them all crammed into a case somewhere, i wanna see!

 

[geddiesburg]

1) I'd like to see some pics - pics being worth a 1000 words...

2) Raw temps don't mean jack! How far above ambient are you?

Well, here you go! Big f'ing heatsink

Ok, so on idle it's between 4° or 6° over ambient on idle and 8° to 10° over with full load. It's really hot in my office recently - gotta fix the ducting from the heater to solve that. Or move the office to the first floor. Anyway, ya, there she is!

Andrew

PS - Please excuse the messy wiring - had to swap in a temporary PSU - my 1000W crapped out last week

 

[DerComissar]

Originally posted by: Stargazer77

Originally posted by: VinDSL
Get an IFX-14 before they quit making them...

Hell, you'll be the only guy in the world running one - or willing to admit to it!

Ultra-120 eXtremes are a dime-a-dozen, like tooth decay...

EDIT

And, before ppl start jumping my sh!t - let's see some pics of your IFX-14 setup - if you're man enough!

I'll believe it when I see it...

5000 bonus points to anyone running one in a Lian-Li case!

Love the sarcasm

So what you are saying is basically that buying the IFX-14 for the E8500 is overkill of epic proportions

And i should get it for bragging rights!

Well i was leaning towards the TRUE as the IFX-14 seems so HUGE! Imagine installing it on the MOBO and then go like "Maybe i shouldn't" :laugh:

Could it be that the temperature gain gets lost with it's large size, thus blocking the airflow more and the net result is zero.

Anyways... You cant go wrong by installing the TRUE with two NH-U12P in Push-Pull config!

If anybody thinks i should NOT buy the TRUE speak up now or forever hold your silence!

Wanted to add my experiences to your consideration.
The TRUE is a good cooler, no doubt about it, BUT it has a few flaws which you may wish to avoid. The base is convex (it actually will rock on a glass plate) so combined with the shoddy mounting bracket which swivels like a cheap pair of scissors, the heatsink will move freely. This can be fixed by lapping the heatsink base and putting something like a large metal washer between the bracket and heatsink. You still have to struggle with the four spring-mounted bolts to seat it properly.
The IFX-14 has a much better mounting system. So does the Noctua NH-U12P. And a good flat base. I have used a TRUE for about a year now, and modded it extensively to solve the movement. But it still is a pain to re-mount it whenever I am changing cpu's or thermal compound. I recently bought a Noctua NH-U12P because I have been using their NF-P12 fan on my TRUE and HR-03GT, they are great products and very well made. I look forward to eliminating the horrid mounting system of the TRUE, as I will soon be switching out my mobo and the Noctua is going to be taking over from the TRUE. Check out Anandtech's excellent review on the Noctua NH-U12P, as posted above by DrMrLordX:

http://http://www.anandtech.com/casec...howdoc.aspx?i=3268&p=5[/L]

 

[DrMrLordX]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12

[RANT]
While unrelated to the actual performance of the heatsink, I'm kind of unhappy with AT over that review. Of course it's going to perform really well with twice the fans, what did you expect? It's not really fair to pit a true with a single fan up agianst a heatsink with two fans without rigging push-pull on the true as well.
[/RANT]

Well, for what it's worth, on their old test bed AT did a Scythe Infinity review with push-pull fans and it didn't exactly dominate:

http://www.anandtech.com/casec...howdoc.aspx?i=2937&p=4

I think it's rather telling that the NH-U12P was able to do so well with two fans like that, especially when you look at the noise levels.

I agree that Anandtech's testing methodology isn't always top-notch (I've long been suspicious of their top-down cooler reviews) but at least we get some decent comparative data. And yes, it would have been nice of them to put a pair of fans on the Ultra eXtreme 120. In fact, I'd like to see a lot more fan configs than the ones they run, but alas . . .

For the OP, you might also want to look at the Zerotherm Nirvana. It seems to do well.

 

[Stargazer77]

Thanks for the insightfull responses!

I'm going to order the TRUE 120 as this cooler is more than enough to handle a Core 2 Duo - E8500. Together with two Noctua NH-U12P in Push-Pull config.

This solution will be as good or better than the Noctua NH-U12P. The higher cost is not an issue since i want the best air cooling money can buy and i don't mind doing some lapping and tweaking to get the most out of the TRUE.

Since i plan to OC to 4GHz in the future and considering that my motherboard is the ASUS Rampage Formula are CHIPSET & MOSFET coolers a must?

Which Chipset / MOSFET coolers should i buy? (Money is not an object)

I guess the answer is the Thermalright HR-05 IFX... There is another model called HR-05 SLI/IFX... So which one should i buy?

Which MOSFET cooler is best for the Rampage Formula? The HR-09 S/U type 3 Mosfet Cooler?

Last but not least... Which Thermal Paste is best?

My research suggests the Arctic Silver 5 or Arctic Cooling MX-2

Arctic Cooling MX-2 is Non-Conductive and have 8 years durability! Check out this Review

So is there anything else out there that beats the Arctic Cooling MX-2?

Cheers!

 

[DerwenArtos12]

IC diamond 7 is a couple degrees better than anything else out right now last I checked. For your motherboard I'd probaby say the standard IFX for your northbridge and the SLI for your southbridge. You'll have to check thermalrights site for the mosfets I'm really not sure. While your at it why not throw an IFX-10 on the cpu as well, if your case can fit it, looks to be worth another 3-5C load on a quad surprisingly enough. I don't suppose you'll be putting an HR-03 on your video card?

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: geddiesburg
Well, here you go! Big f'ing heatsink

Heh!

Flickr triggers my K9 proggie...

Double thanks!

 

[Stargazer77]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
IC diamond 7 is a couple degrees better than anything else out right now last I checked. For your motherboard I'd probaby say the standard IFX for your northbridge and the SLI for your southbridge. You'll have to check thermalrights site for the mosfets I'm really not sure. While your at it why not throw an IFX-10 on the cpu as well, if your case can fit it, looks to be worth another 3-5C load on a quad surprisingly enough. I don't suppose you'll be putting an HR-03 on your video card?

Thanks DerwenArtos12

When i look at my Rampage Formula it looks like it will be fifficult to fit all these coolers!

I have the Antex P182 Case, will the following fit?

A TRUE 120 with two 120 mm fans (Push - Pull) and two HR-05 IFX for Nortbridge/Southbridge + MOSFET coolers. And not to mention the extra Airflow Fan for the Corsair Dominator 4 GB RAM! Throw in a full length GeForce 8800 GTX card with the Thermalright HR-03 Plus VGA cooler... Can't find the IFX-10 for sale anywhere

What do you say guys? Is it possible to fit all this on the Rampage Formula?

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: Stargazer77

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
IC diamond 7 is a couple degrees better than anything else out right now last I checked. For your motherboard I'd probaby say the standard IFX for your northbridge and the SLI for your southbridge. You'll have to check thermalrights site for the mosfets I'm really not sure. While your at it why not throw an IFX-10 on the cpu as well, if your case can fit it, looks to be worth another 3-5C load on a quad surprisingly enough. I don't suppose you'll be putting an HR-03 on your video card?

Thanks DerwenArtos12

When i look at my Rampage Formula it looks like it will be fifficult to fit all these coolers!

I have the Antex P182 Case, will the following fit?

A TRUE 120 with two 120 mm fans (Push - Pull) and two HR-05 IFX for Nortbridge/Southbridge + MOSFET coolers. And not to mention the extra Airflow Fan for the Corsair Dominator 4 GB RAM! Throw in a full length GeForce 8800 GTX card with the Thermalright HR-03 Plus VGA cooler... Can't find the IFX-10 for sale anywhere

What do you say guys? Is it possible to fit all this on the Rampage Formula?

Well the IFX-10 won't fit in the P182 so needn't bother. The rest should fit though. You should even be able to throw on one of thermalrights hr-11 backside VGA coolers on there. I can't remember who but, one of the regulars around here has a pair and quite likes them.

 

[Stargazer77]

Thanks man!

Earlier you said:

" For your motherboard I'd probaby say the standard IFX for your northbridge and the SLI for your southbridge "

Does this mean that the HR-05 SLI/IFX is to large to fit on the North Bridge? Or you just say this because the standard IFX is cheaper?

Just to clarify

If there are no obvious reasons against other than price, i would want to put the fatter SLI/IFX on both

Manimal: I guess the Thermalright disease has hit me already :laugh:

Cheers!

 

[DerwenArtos12]

The standard IFX is directly vertical while the SLI has the tower offset to one side, thats all. Make sure you're not comparing a standard HR-05 or HR-05 SLI to the HR-05 IFX or HR-05 IFX SLI. wow, thats a lot of strange abbreviations for nothing.

 

[Stargazer77]

I will go for the HR-05 IFX/SLI... So now i only need to figure out which model that makes the best fit. Vertical or offset? Anybody else that have a Rampage Formula with this config?

Seems i cant be 100% sure before i install the TRUE on the MOBO... Ah well...

 

[DerwenArtos12]

I'm sure there are others with a rampage formula and a true. perhaps look on xtremesystems.org/forums, they have a dedicated air cooling forum and would be the group thats done it if anyone has.