Best CPU Air Cooler ?
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CPUs
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Cooling
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Intel
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Overclocking
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Last response: in Overclocking
zag
June 3, 2006 4:03:40 AM
I have intel 950 dual core. I managed to overclock it and need the best air cooler possible. I tried Thermaltake Blue Orb II but the stock intel cooler was better.
I might be getting either Zalman CNPS9500 LED or Fatal1ty FS-C77 .
What is the best CPU air cooler in your opinion ?
Also the best Thermal Grease ?
TIA
I might be getting either Zalman CNPS9500 LED or Fatal1ty FS-C77 .
What is the best CPU air cooler in your opinion ?
Also the best Thermal Grease ?
TIA
More about : cpu air cooler
Ramsjunior
June 3, 2006 9:36:26 AM
zag
June 3, 2006 1:48:40 PM
Thanks for the reply.
The biggest disadvantage with Thermaltake Blue Orb II is the slow fan speed (1700rpm) and the BigTyphone is only 1300rpm.
With Blue Orb II, while BOTH cores of the CPU at 100% load (at 4.133GHz) for only a few minutes , the CPU temp was hitting 81c and then started throttleing back.
With the stock Intel cooler the CPU temp never passed over 79c with above conditions.
Thermaltake imitates Zalman but they try to make it quieter and thats were it fails under extreme overclocking and max dual core load.
Zalman runs the fan at 2400rpm. I hope that would be much cooler than Thermaltake. As for noise (and budget), its almost no problem for me.
Quote:
Thermaltake Blue Orb II isn't bad at all, it's near the performance of Zalman 9500 (they're the same design afterall)The biggest disadvantage with Thermaltake Blue Orb II is the slow fan speed (1700rpm) and the BigTyphone is only 1300rpm.
With Blue Orb II, while BOTH cores of the CPU at 100% load (at 4.133GHz) for only a few minutes , the CPU temp was hitting 81c and then started throttleing back.
With the stock Intel cooler the CPU temp never passed over 79c with above conditions.
Thermaltake imitates Zalman but they try to make it quieter and thats were it fails under extreme overclocking and max dual core load.
Quote:
The Zalman 9500 is the way to go for a cpu air cooler. £37 ($69) maybe alot, it really depends on the size of your walletZalman runs the fan at 2400rpm. I hope that would be much cooler than Thermaltake. As for noise (and budget), its almost no problem for me.
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ara
June 3, 2006 10:13:49 PM
it's not all about rpm, it's about the CFM and the Design of the heatsink, although the Blue Orb II does seem to have a good airflow, the design might not be cutting it. the thermaltake big typhoon has a 54 CFM airflow while this has a "77.85 CFM", there fore, it could be the design isn't cutting it. your best bet however is to view comparisons and reviews and find which you like
(this link taken from one of wusy's posts)
good luck,
Ara
edit: the blue orb II is NOT on that list (well i didn't see it anyway)
(this link taken from one of wusy's posts)
good luck,
Ara
edit: the blue orb II is NOT on that list (well i didn't see it anyway)
forget about the Fata1ty HS..... not worth the extra money. The CNPS9500 would be the way to go. In terms of thermal paste, Arctic Silver 5 is widely regarded as the best.
chuckshissle
June 5, 2006 2:55:43 AM
Batspoon
June 5, 2006 3:25:24 AM
Quote:
I have intel 950 dual core. I managed to overclock it and need the best air cooler possible. I tried Thermaltake Blue Orb II but the stock intel cooler was better.I might be getting either Zalman CNPS9500 LED or Fatal1ty FS-C77 .
What is the best CPU air cooler in your opinion ?
Also the best Thermal Grease ?
TIA
Just get a Thermalright XP 120 and a medium speed Panaflo fan like the FBA12G12M1BX (here, 120x120x38mm, 86.5 CFM @ 2100 RPM, 35.5 dBA), that combo will do the job like a champ.
And for the thermal interface... Arctic Silver 5 o Céramique.
kwalker
June 5, 2006 3:33:09 AM
81C is definatly hot but 4 ghz and high vcore will do it.
are you seated properly ? as mentioned re apply thermal paste.
some hsfs will be held up slightly with contrast to motherboard design and psu .
depending on your case and air flow the CNPS9500 is great for cooling things down.
the Zalman 7700 in my sig dropped temps from 68C to 57C after the AS5 set. this is @ 4026 full load.
at frq in my sig temps are at 53C full load.
stock cooler was high 70s
are you seated properly ? as mentioned re apply thermal paste.
some hsfs will be held up slightly with contrast to motherboard design and psu .
depending on your case and air flow the CNPS9500 is great for cooling things down.
the Zalman 7700 in my sig dropped temps from 68C to 57C after the AS5 set. this is @ 4026 full load.
at frq in my sig temps are at 53C full load.
stock cooler was high 70s
ak47is1337
June 5, 2006 4:17:05 AM
Quote:
I have intel 950 dual core. I managed to overclock it and need the best air cooler possible. I tried Thermaltake Blue Orb II but the stock intel cooler was better.I might be getting either Zalman CNPS9500 LED or Fatal1ty FS-C77 .
What is the best CPU air cooler in your opinion ?
Also the best Thermal Grease ?
TIA
You want the best air cooler possible and you got a CNPS9500?! BWAHAH
The best air cooler hands down is the Tuniq Tower 120. The Scythe Ninja is right behind it though. The best thermal grease (ignoring liquid metal applications) is Arctic Silver 5. The 9500 was a bad choice for extreme cooling though, you want a huge 120mm cooler...
sp6yd6er6
June 5, 2006 4:27:00 AM
zag
June 8, 2006 4:25:19 AM
This study http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=190...
shows that 'Gigabyte G-Power Pro' might be the best air cooler.
It was done on Dec 2005 so it could be outdated but it shows that G-power gives 5c lower temp than Zalman9500 when on 'high'.
It equals the Zalman when set to 'low'.
Update:
This study (feb 06) http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=192... shows that 'Noctua NH-U12' is the best and gives 1c lower temp than G-Power which is number 2.
Many other HSFs were not in the list though
shows that 'Gigabyte G-Power Pro' might be the best air cooler.
It was done on Dec 2005 so it could be outdated but it shows that G-power gives 5c lower temp than Zalman9500 when on 'high'.
It equals the Zalman when set to 'low'.
Update:
This study (feb 06) http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=192... shows that 'Noctua NH-U12' is the best and gives 1c lower temp than G-Power which is number 2.
Many other HSFs were not in the list though
Tacoboy
June 9, 2006 8:28:53 PM
zag
June 12, 2006 10:05:57 AM
Tacoboy
June 12, 2006 5:00:22 PM
sp6yd6er6
June 12, 2006 11:28:00 PM
Tacoboy
June 13, 2006 12:34:15 AM
sp6yd6er6
June 13, 2006 2:03:45 AM
ZOldDude
June 13, 2006 2:54:57 AM
Quote:
I have intel 950 dual core. I managed to overclock it and need the best air cooler possible. I tried Thermaltake Blue Orb II but the stock intel cooler was better.I might be getting either Zalman CNPS9500 LED or Fatal1ty FS-C77 .
What is the best CPU air cooler in your opinion ?
Also the best Thermal Grease ?
TIA
Just get a Thermalright XP 120 and a medium speed Panaflo fan like the FBA12G12M1BX (here, 120x120x38mm, 86.5 CFM @ 2100 RPM, 35.5 dBA), that combo will do the job like a champ.
And for the thermal interface... Arctic Silver 5 o Céramique.
Even better is the Thermalright SI-120 and the way it is built also cools the ram and voltage regulators.
The fans I like are the Silverstone FM-121 (up to 110 CFM and comes with a free speed controler).
Cooler $44
Fan $15
Z
clue69less
June 13, 2006 3:21:09 AM
Quote:
The Zalman 9500 is the way to go for a cpu air cooler. £37 ($69) maybe alot, it really depends on the size of your walletI've found them in the $46-47 range a few times.
Quote:
Zalman runs the fan at 2400rpm. The Zalman web site lists 2600 but I've seen mine go 2700-2750.
And I'm not even overclocking the fan...
falsterbo
June 13, 2006 7:13:02 AM
Quote:
I removed the MX-1 paste, then applied Arctic Silver 5 to the Freezer 7 Pro.Idiot!!! The MX-1 is the best on the market...
MX-1
clue69less
June 13, 2006 2:12:56 PM
Quote:
I removed the MX-1 paste, then applied Arctic Silver 5 to the Freezer 7 Pro.Acrtic Cooling used MX-1 because it has a smoother base and performs worse with AS5. Said by Arctic Cooling themselves and a test which showed 3C higher with AS5.
Has anyone here seen any roughness data on CPU IHS's? I've seen how-tos on lapping the IHS but I've never been tempted to try it yet. But the HSF roughness is just half of the equation. I'm wondering how rough the IHSs are and if they vary much product to product and for one product over time. AS has different products like AS5 and AS Ceramique that have different filler size, so you can have some degree of tweakability. I'd think having 3 or 4 sizes to pick from is an even better idea but they probably don't think the market would support it - or sufficiently understand enough to make the right choice. I wish I still had access to a profolometer.
zag
June 17, 2006 2:41:11 AM
Nitro350Z
June 17, 2006 3:56:54 AM
TheMaster
June 17, 2006 4:12:15 AM
Quote:
The Zalman web site lists 2600 but I've seen mine go 2700-2750.And I'm not even overclocking the fan...
How can you overclock the fan ?
Same way you o/c anything else... more VOLTAGE.
I think the proper term would be overvolting.
The only problem is if you apply too much voltage the insulation will melt and it will eventually break the fan.
zag
June 18, 2006 1:28:23 PM
Quote:
The Zalman web site lists 2600 but I've seen mine go 2700-2750.And I'm not even overclocking the fan...
How can you overclock the fan ?
Same way you o/c anything else... more VOLTAGE.
I think the proper term would be overvolting.
The only problem is if you apply too much voltage the insulation will melt and it will eventually break the fan.
On my mobo (asus p5wd2-e premium) the only voltage i can change is CPU VCore, Memory, FSB Termination, MCH, and ICH.
I even got a program called 'SpeedFan' but did't do much
Now how can i overclock the fan ?
ikjadoon
June 18, 2006 2:16:53 PM
TheMaster
June 19, 2006 2:25:13 AM
I take no responsibility for your actions... but here's how you do it.
Connect the fan wires to the PSU leads. That picture shows the plug when it is out.
You'll have to connect the wires on the top when it is plugged into your mobo.
Important Note:
Look at your rail amperage ratings.. specifically the -12V for the 24 volt and the -5 V for the 17V mod.
Try not to exceed those, otherwise you might damage your PSU.
![]()
24 Volts might be a little too much for long term use... i haven't tested it or anything but 100% overvolting can't be good for the fan.
My regular Antec case fan starts moving across the desk at this voltage and makes a high pitched hair dryer noise.
I would love to see a vantec tornado at 24 v, that would be sick. :twisted:
Connect the fan wires to the PSU leads. That picture shows the plug when it is out.
You'll have to connect the wires on the top when it is plugged into your mobo.
Important Note:
Look at your rail amperage ratings.. specifically the -12V for the 24 volt and the -5 V for the 17V mod.
Try not to exceed those, otherwise you might damage your PSU.

24 Volts might be a little too much for long term use... i haven't tested it or anything but 100% overvolting can't be good for the fan.
My regular Antec case fan starts moving across the desk at this voltage and makes a high pitched hair dryer noise.
I would love to see a vantec tornado at 24 v, that would be sick. :twisted:
fowang
June 20, 2006 1:31:28 PM
zag
June 23, 2006 12:32:41 PM
Zalman's STG1 Thermal Grease. The New World Champion ?
http://www.bcchardware.com/index.php?option=com_content...
http://www.bcchardware.com/index.php?option=com_content...
ikjadoon
June 23, 2006 6:49:35 PM
Wow, 8C! That is a lot! I was expecting a close draw, something like a null hypothesis.... I wish they tested it with Arctic Cooling's MX-1 stuff, but MX-1 is just a few C, maybe 3-4C at best, better than Arctic Silver. 8C is a huge difference with just a different thermal compound. I'd like another opinion, just in case...
~Ibrahim~
~Ibrahim~
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