Need Heatsink Recommendation

[LancerEvolution7]

I am currently running a athlon xp1700 palamino with a volcano 6cu+. The noise from my volcano is driving me nuts. I want to buy a new quieter hsf. I don't have much experience in the hsf field and there are so many varieties to choose from. Can someone please help me choose a good quiet cooling solution for my cpu. I would like to keep the price to a max of $30 and I want to prepare for a future upgrade so, it must provide enough cooling for an athlon xp2800+. Thanks.

So far I have looked into following:
Volcano 7 ~$17
Volcano 7+ ~$28
Volcano 9 ~$21

 

[error_911]

Between those i can definately say the Volcano 9 would satisfy your needs for now, though cooling the Athlon 2800 I'm not sure of... What I would suggest is to check on AMD's web site under their HSF recommendations... they list some nice HSFs for those newer Athlon XPs from the likes of Taisol, Foxtron, Swiftech and others which are relatively cheap, and you can get a fan that suits your need (such as the Thermaltake SmartFan 2 (75cfm @ 49db... and its got variable fan speed according to temperature, perfect for noise control). If you'd like a more specific suggestion, I can take the time and look around for you, but AMD really does have an easy to look through guide.

Staggering out of the shower this morning, I hear the hair-dryer. "Whose awake?" I think... Till I realize its my computer - talk about a windtunnel

 

[DaveGOD]

IMHO, volcano's are based pretty much on tiddly HS + loud & abnoxious fan school of HSF design. Taking off the fan guard (swap for a wire design if you have one & want a guard on the fan) can cut the noise though 'cos it causes a lot of air turbulence.

for a load of HSF reviews try:
try http://www.dansdata.com/coolercomp.htm and
http://www.overclockers.com/topiclist/index15.asp#HEATSINK REVIEWS AND TIPS


<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=14094" target="_new">My Rig</A>

 

[Codinerx]

I would definitly recommend the thermalright ax-7, I have it on my 2000+, and I had it on a 1700+ before that... It's definitly the best heatsink for the money if you ask me, I think I picked one up for 24.99? Good luck friend!

 

[LancerEvolution7]

I finally got a new hsf. Its good to remove the 6cu+. I found a suprising little heatsink that runs pretty well. Its the Glacialtech Igloo 2410. I was surfing on newegg and saw it. Its noise level is 26dBA. What a relief from the 38dBA of the 6CU+. Keeps my xp1700 at about 44C under load.