Mugen 2 vs Core Contact Freezer

[xsever]

Hello everyone and Merry Christmas to you all.

I am running an AMD Phenom II X3 720 with an unlocked core @ 3.0 GHZ using the stock heatsink, but with a 120 mm fan that I have modded myself. I also use K10Stat which allows me to customize Cool n Quiet (set up overclocking profiles, undevolt, etc...)

My idle temperatures with my CPU running at 400 MHz is around 22-25. While gaming or prime 95, it goes to 55-62 which I think is hot.

So I am wondering if the Scythe Mugen 2 is still the best performer in its price range. I am not willing to spend more than 45$ (Newegg) so please keep suggestions in that price range.

Thank you,

 

[Conumdrum]

Take a look here and pick one of the top 5 and then find the best price?
http://www.frostytech.com/

Think the Mugen is still pretty good on that list.

Core Contact Freezer is mentioned a lot here for the best bang for the $.

 

[xsever]

Thanks for the link. However, I cannot find the Mugen 2 in their 252 HSFs list.

 

[Conumdrum]

Ahh. Well I know little about Air cooling, but the link is the definetive best place to find what your looking for.

Core Contact Freezer.

 

[xsever]

I can get the Core Contact Freezer for 25$ after rebate and free shipping from Newegg.

It is also ranked #4 at FrostyTech.

What do you think ?

 

[Conumdrum]

Yep, best bang for the $. Good cooler. Make sure you get the right mounting hardware for your CPU.

 

[xsever]

From Frosty tech:

The clip is designed with AMD socket 939/AM2 CPUs in mind, so for Intel processors a specialized heatsink retention frame needs to be installed.

So I do not need any extra accessories since my CPU is an AMD Phenom II X3 720 AM3/AM2+ .

 

[JohnnyLucky]

xserver - What was the ambient (room) temperature when you measured? Which utility did you use to measure the temperature?

 

[xsever]

My ambient temperature is around 18-21 C. I use Everest Ultimate (latest build) and HW monitor.

There is a bug though that I am sure of. Sometimes my idle temps is 22C. I restart the computer and let it idle again and the idle temp becomes 30C. I am sure the conditions are the same and the system is doing nothing. I think it is related to the BIOS and the fact that I have the 4th core unlocked.

Any recommendation ?

 

[JofaMang]

I am running an OC'd 710 x3 (in my sig) and use a Scythe Samurai Zz. I have been heavily impressed with it's temp performance and don't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for triple core amd coolers. I paid $22 for it at a local shop, but usually goes for $30 retail. The Core Contact Freezer is a fairly tall HSF, and if space isn't an issue, you will probably get what you need from it, but if you have a tighter case, the Zz is a pretty tight HSF.

 

[JofaMang]

Unlocking cores is known to cause temp reading problems. There are others who are more experienced with it to know an exact suggestion, just putting it out there.

 

[xsever]

Thank you for your experience JofaMang. I do leave my side panel open so size is not really an issue. I can also move my RAM strips if possible and keep dual channel since each channel has its DIMM slots next to each other.

As for unlocking the 4th core, I have done some testing with 3 cores, got the max temps, and compared them to the max ones obtained using 4 cores and added a headroom. However, I think reaching 60 while gaming MWF2 is high so here is the Core Contact Freezer at 25$.

 

[JofaMang]

The the CCF is probably your best choice. I keep my case closed, and it was too tight for a CCF, so I took a chance on the Zz. I also like how the Zz moves air over the motherboard in my case setup, but would have gone for the CCF if I had the room.

 

[xsever]

My case is the Ultra Wizard Mid-Tower. I like to keep the side panel open since I am always modding something. However, once settled in, I'll try and close it and see if things fit. If not, there's no problem keeping it open.

I am simply amazed from how much extras you get with the Core Contact Freezer for a mere 25$.

 

[Conumdrum]

Many guides on the web, Google should be fast and easy for that. Even on YouTube. Don't have any bookmarked though.

 

[xsever]

Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[xsever]

Can any Core Contact Freezer user please post how he applied the thermal compound and report his results please?

Thank you,

 

[Conumdrum]

Like this:

http://www.sunbeamtech.com/PRODUCTS/cooler/images/cctf/Core-Contact-Freezer-120-manual.jpg

If it was a 4-screw intel heatsink mounting I'd do it diff, but with the clip I'd do it just like the link.

 

[xsever]

My point is that since the 4 heatpipes touch the CPU casing, there are gaps between the pipes meaning putting a dab of thermal compound in the middle and letting the heat spread it won't work.

It seems that applying thin lines on the heatpipes is the best method, but I would like so more feedback.

Thank you.

 

[tkgclimb]

Just wanted too put another one in for the core contact. (which it sounds like you got). I did my first lap on it and it rocks

my phenom II 945 at stock, with a silent fan kinda on it (ram slots got in the way so it's rigged)

I have an idle of 23-25 and a load below 50. I can run it almost fanless (one case fan and the graphics fan) and it doessn't crash but the temps are high. And all thats after only 5 hours after application of TIM.

And yes appling thermal paste on the heat pipes in lines is the recommended method , google it for a more detailed guide

 

[xsever]

Can you please provide more in-depth details about the lapping you did?

Thanks,

 

[tkgclimb]

If you want to lap it, you should be warned that you can't return it or anything.

As for the lapping process itself there are a variety of ways, there is a lapping guide at the top of the heat sink page that is useful. I myself got a lapping kit from easypckits.com and there was instructions in there that I followed.

It probably won't give you a huge difference in temps but something ( I lapped mine because i was having heat problems and the base of the sink was scratched).

using small fft's I haven't gone above 45.

 

[xsever]

Thanks for the heads-up tkgclimb. I do not think I will be lapping it since 1 or 2 C won't make a difference for me. If it's scratched, Newegg will replace it.

My unlocked 720 should perform similar to your quad thermally at least. With an old Athlon heatsink now and a 120 mm, I hit 58 C on the CPU with large FFTs.

I guess I should try small FFTs and see what I get. What do you think?

 

[JofaMang]

58c is great for a quadcore, though there are a few around who prefer lower, it is within a safe operating range for that chip, especially since you won't actually see that load in day to day or gaming use.

 

[tkgclimb]

My unlocked 720 should perform similar to your quad thermally at least. With an old Athlon heatsink now and a 120 mm, I hit 58 C on the CPU with large FFTs.

I guess I should try small FFTs and see what I get. What do you think?

I Think small FF'ts are the standard test for CPU stressing, but they are all pretty similar, and like stated before, are extreme scenarios that you probably won't encounter.

58 is fine, but higher temps will create a louder case (assuming you have any thermal controlled fans). And if you want to OC more, 58 won't give you much headroom.

You should see a drop with the CCF compared to that old athlon. The only problem (as already mentioned) is that it is big.