Athlon 2700+, what cooler do I want?

[Phacade]

I read a review here on Toms about the HHC-001 from Coolermaster a few weeks back and bought it. My chip and A7N8X Deluxe board arrived and I am putting her together. Before I use the HHC-001 cooler, I read some more reviews that maybe this was not the best choice. I don't feel comfortable with water based systems. My case is all aluminum with 5 fans so that helps but what CPU cooler should I go with here. I'd rather not use the stock AMD fan thats coming with my 2700 chip. Thoughts?

 

[error_911]

You could always get a Thermalright SLK-800, or perhaps an Alpha PAL 8045 - both good heatsinks. With either of those, get a nice powerfull fan (a Vantec Tornado, Thermaltake SmartFan2, a Delta, a Panaflo high-output, or even a powerfull Sunon) and you're set. I would still go ahead and try the Coolermaster, since you've got enough case-cooling to make up for the difference (if any), or lack of performance, it might have. Just monitor your temps and work accordingly.

Have you ever stuck your finger in a Vantec Tornado? That's 5700rpm right there - ouch. Today's public service announcement: don't play with plugged-in fans - especially Tornados..heh.

 

[lhgpoobaa]

Well it looks like case cooling is MORE than adequately covered.

And whats wrong with the stock cooler? Are you planning to overclock?
The stock cooler for the high end Athlons is actually quite good!

<b><i>The Very Hungry Caterpillar</i> - George W. Bush's favorite childhood book.
Note: This book was first published a year after Mr Bush graduated from College.</b>

 

[Phacade]

Is the stck cooler for my Athlon XP 2700+ better than the Coolermaster HHC-001 I already have sitting at home?

 

[Phacade]

Okay I am reading alot of reviews and from what I can tell, maybe the HHC-001 is not the best option. Maybe I can return it. Everyone seems to like the Swiftech MCX462U with the Thermaltake Smartfan II. Thoughts? Any idea how much these would run me? How easily does it mount on my A7N8X mobo?

 

[lhgpoobaa]

Yes the MCX-462U is extreemly good with high quality. I have the slightly older verson, the MCX-462 and i just started runnign it with a smartfan2 3 days ago. 2500 to 3500 rpm usually, with very good noise levels.
The mcx-462U should mount fine on your board as all the capacitors are of correct minimum distance from the socket.

It WILL cost you though, and many dont see the cost of the mcx-462 justifyable considering that there is the volcano7+ and SK800 about for alot less.

Its up to you though. I love its failsafe motherboard mounting mechanism, and ability to easily mount any 80mm fan. Plus it looks damn good and handles overclocks extreemly well.

One thing that toms cooler review missed however was the 'bulk' factor with overclocking.
Monster heatsinks like the MCX-462 have an advantage over smaller lighter ones that may have the same C/W thermal properties. As the HSF is so large the sheer mass of copper is better able to adsorb energy, and can help with temp spikes and ultimately OC stability.

<b><i>The Very Hungry Caterpillar</i> - George W. Bush's favorite childhood book.
Note: This book was first published a year after Mr Bush graduated from College.</b>

 

[Rob423]

i use the volcano 7+ on my xp2800+, get 42c for idle to as high as 56c.. on low

i usually just keep it on low, my case has 4 fans and it's way to loud for it to be on high
that's around 6800RPM which is crazy!

RIG
Asus A7N8X Deluxe
80gb Maxtor
Lian-Li PC-60
Lite-On 52X
AMD XP2800+
LeadTek GeForce 4 Ti4200 w/vivo 128mb 8x
Hitachi CML174
1 GB Corsair XMS PC3200 Cas2

 

[lhgpoobaa]

Sounds like you need quieter casefans. I bet you can get away with ones a fraction of teh noise for only 1-2c temp rise.
And we all know if its stable, its good

<b><i>The Very Hungry Caterpillar</i> - George W. Bush's favorite childhood book.
Note: This book was first published a year after Mr Bush graduated from College.</b>

 

[Rob423]

i keep the case fans on HIGH.. those lian-li case fans are very low sounding.. there nice..

and keep the volcano 7+ on Low.. everything runs nice and quiet

RIG
Asus A7N8X Deluxe
80gb Maxtor
Lian-Li PC-60
Lite-On 52X
AMD XP2800+
LeadTek GeForce 4 Ti4200 w/vivo 128mb 8x
Hitachi CML174
1 GB Corsair XMS PC3200 Cas2