Okay, been thinking about getting a Zalman cooler to replace the stock heat sink on my Quad Core Q9450. (Just built the machine and want to overclock it.)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835118019
I am attracted to this Zalman cooler for two main reasons. First it has great reviews. Secondly, it has BIG BLUE LED LIGHTS! (Yeah, I'm one of those A-Holes!)

------------------------------

However, I have heard a lot of people talking about the Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme as if it is the best cooler out there...

http://www.thermalright.com/new_a_ [...] u120ex.htm

New Egg does not even sell it yet... They sell the 4 heat pipe version of it...

I wanted to get your opinion on CPU air coolers before I pull the trigger. This Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme looks GREAT but it has no fans on it. Instead it comes with clips that allow you to affix 2-120mm fans to the front and back of the heat sink in a "Push-Pull" configuration.

OMG! The size of that Heat sink alone is HUGE... Imagine it with dual 120mm fans attached to it! I'm not sure it will fit into the UPS truck, let alone my PC Case.

On the upside, if it will fit... I can buy dual 120mm fans with BIG BLUE LED LIGHTS!!!

What do you think?

- Witt

http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm

check out the xigmatek s1283 (with the back plate). It rivals the U120 extreme and a price lower than a scythe!

I have one my self, and comming from a scythe ninja revision B, I am very very pleased!

The Zalman 9700 is a decent heatsink. I have one on a 6300 Conroe which is running at 3.2 ghz at the moment.

dirtmountain hit it on the head though. Frostytech's list is a good reference.

Newegg does sell the TRUE, but doesnt have any in stock atm.

And yes, you can put dual 120mm fans on a TRUE, and you should be able to get them in blue.

You can buy the Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme here:
http://www.ncixus.com/products/235 [...] RMALRIGHT/
Put a red fan and a blue fan on it, in a push pull configuration.

Check out some more reviews below and the links for the Xigmatek in case you decide for it.

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233003

http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 67-12.html

http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm

XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233019

don't forget to order the retention bracket because push pin mounting sucks.

1) If you don't mind spending the cash the Ultra 120 is a kick ass product... probably not your best bang for the buck, however money aside it is an amazing heatsink.

2) If you want to save cash get the less attractive, less cooling powered XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 go for it.

In my opinion those are the only 2 options, one not as good and cost less where as the other is a little better and cots a lot more. Both will be sufficient.

I used to use an Ultra 120 on my Q6600, i changed to water and only dropped the cores(4) about 7 degrees on average.

The TRUE Black comes with 2 sets of fan wire clips for 2 fan installation and Chill Factor 2 thermal paste while the TRUE only comes with one set and regular thermal paste.

I feel it is one of the best looking and best performing coolers on the market.

It is big so you have to be sure your case can fit it (if your case is less than 8" wide it probably wont). My case is 8.26" wide and I only cleared the side pannel by ¼~½" (I never measured but know its close).

How about noise, any noticeable improvements there?

@grieve: Mind listing the specs for the Water set up?

It is in my Sig

===========
Water cooling setup
===========
-Swiftech Opogee GTX Waterblock - 5/9”OD barbs
-Swiftech MCP655 12v Industrial pump
-1*Smartcoils 625blue
-10 foot Masterclear pvc tubing 7/16”ID , 5/9”OD
-3* Scythe S-Flex SFF21F fans (for the Rad)
-Swiftech ½” OD Chrome plated barbs (for rad)
-Copper T connection (for the T line)
-Feser One Fluid UV Purple NON-CONDUCTIVE Water Replacement (used about 20 OZ. for this system)
-Danger Den Fillport
-Swiftech MCB-120 Radbox
-Swiftech MCR320 Radiator (replacing with a Thermochill 120.3 rad)

*** Purchasing GPU water block after I upgrade Vid card/s.***

There is less noise as i run 3 fans on super low speed, 840RPM about (as seen in pic above) ..You can barely hear them.

On the ultra 120 i had 1 fan, but it was kranked!

OCZ Vendetta 2! i find it way better then XIGMATEK HDT-S1283.

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/for [...] eview.html

http://www.ocia.net/reviews/oczvendetta2/page1.shtml

http://www.overclockersclub.com/re [...] endetta_2/

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index. [...] 3&Itemid=1

Here's a review you might want to read..

OCZTVEND2 vs. TRUE vs. HDT-S1283
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index. [...] 6&Itemid=1