Stock fan or upgrade for i7 920/940

[johnstac]

I haven't completely decided between the 920 or the 940 but as I put my purchase list together, I wonder whether the stock fan will be sufficient on these chips. Is replacing the stock fan common? Does it help much? If so, what would you recommend?

 

[mi1ez]

it's extremely common to replace the stock HSF in an enthusiast i7 rig. It will help your temperatures and overclock no end. Afraid I've not really paid much attention to LGA1366 coolers so hopefully someone else can help you out there...

 

[sudec]

I had to replace my fan on 920, cause my CPU was on 80 degrees idle, and went even higher under load. I replaced it with a Noctua NH-U12P and now it idles at about 35-38 degrees.

 

[johnstac]

I don't show that NH-U12P as being compatible with LGA1366. Was looking at the specs here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608002

 

[bravo29]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835702007

This is what I went with. Keeps my I7 920 nice and cool.

 

[johnstac]

bravo, I like what I see in that cooler. Only one potential issue. Was reading the reviews on that item:

"The sheer size happens to tower over 1 DDR3 slot in my Gigabyte x58 board, which is only a problem for RAM with a tall heatsink like Corsair Dominator."

Which is exactly the memory I was going to get. What memory are you using?

 

[OmegaStalker]

Listen read the Forums and the almost undisputted best i7 coolers are either the CoolerMaster V8 or the TRUE 120 eXtream 1366... although i hear the Vigor is a good cooler (epxecpt it wont let ram in the last slot )...

 

[merlinbadman]

Zalman CNPS9300-AT

Meant to be good, and far smaller than the Noctua.

 

[merlinbadman]

Scratch that, its infact the ZALMAN CNPS9900 LED. Same design though.

 

[johnstac]

Omega and Merlin, thank you for that info. I have to say, that Zalman is pretty. Unfortunately it is not being sold by newegg which is always nice because of the impartial reviews. Will probably go with the coolermaster.

 

[OmegaStalker]

Coolmaster is a good choice my friend has one with an OCd 17 920 to 4Ghz with a load temp of 72C! thats cool for an overclock like that! i think im going to TRUE though and if thats not that good then il swap to the Coolmaster!

 

[chjade84]

I have the Zalman CNPS9500 with the adapter for i7 on a 920 OC'd to 3.4 GHz. Reseated it 4 times and the best I can get is 40-45C idle and 65C load.

 

[justaguest]

Coolmaster is a good choice my friend has one with an OCd 17 920 to 4Ghz with a load temp of 72C! thats cool for an overclock like that! i think im going to TRUE though and if thats not that good then il swap to the Coolmaster!

Is he running HT?

At 4Ghz I am at 71c but that is with HT off. With it on, it is up around 83c.

Going to take the V8 off and try a Noctua. Just hate how ugly the ausi cooler is.

 

[justaguest]

For the OP. Save your money and buy a 920. Put a cooler on it and OC it to 3.5-3.7 and run it 24/7. Mine OC's to 4.1 on the V8, but I take it down to 3.7 to get the temps in the low 60's

 

[Joey2oo9]

Only an idiot would buy a 940 instead of a 920, the 940 is nearly twice the price

 

[bravo29]

bravo, I like what I see in that cooler. Only one potential issue. Was reading the reviews on that item:

"The sheer size happens to tower over 1 DDR3 slot in my Gigabyte x58 board, which is only a problem for RAM with a tall heatsink like Corsair Dominator."

Which is exactly the memory I was going to get. What memory are you using?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231223

No issues with it.