Need help deciding on CPU cooler

JaredM83

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Mar 8, 2010
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I finally got all the parts I want except the cooler for my CPU. Ive read alot of th forums and most say that the megahalem is the best. Those post are from last year thou. Is the megahalem still the bestor has that title been given to another cooler since then. Ive seen direct contact coolers are these any better or just a marketing gimmick aimed at the less knowledgable computer people such as myself. This is going to be cooling an i7-930 that is going to be used for gaming.
 
Is the megahalem still the bestor has that title been given to another cooler since then

Depends on where you look .... on what processor .... in what case....separate tests make it hard to compare as each uses different methods and you could install the same cooler on the same processor in the same case with the same TIM 5 times and get 5 different results. The new Noctua NH-D14 scored a bit higher in one review I read but it's 3+ pound weight scared me a bit. I usually go to a few sites like the ones below and see which one not only performs well thermally but also acoustically. Finally, ease of installation is also worth big points to me.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/Recommended_Heatsinks
http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm#INTELHEATSINK
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=371&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=15

Also should pick a TIM from the top few here:

http://www.hwreviewlabs.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64%3Amega-44-thermal-paste-round-up&catid=32%3Around-ups&Itemid=47&limitstart=3
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/thermal-interface-roundup_10.html#sect1
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=138&Itemid=1&limit=1&limitstart=3

For reasons of performance and ease of installation, here's what I'm putting in new builds Mega w/ IC Diamond TIM and twin Scythe PWMfans (make sure ya MoBo can handle the fan wattage). ($65 for the HS, $7 for TIM, $11 each for two PWM fans and $7 for a Y cable splitter).

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8807/cpu-pro-01/Prolimatech_Megahalems_Rev_B_Intel_CPU_Heatsink_LGA_775_1156_1366_AM2_AM2_AM3_Hot_Item.html
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/7038/thr-41/Innovation_Cooling_Diamond_7_Carat_Thermal_Compound_-_15_Grams.html?id=BZWnrfIC
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10026/fan-639/Scythe_Slip_Stream_120mm_x_25mm_PWM_Fan_-_SY1225SL12LM-P.html?tl=g36c365s936
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8418/cab-150/FrozenCPU_PMW_Y_Splitter_Cable.html