Need CPU cooling advice for my first build

redboy · Post by **redboy** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 11:16 pm

I'm looking for a CPU cooler for the system in my sig, it will be used for gaming for the most part also i intend to do some moderate OCing. I'm looking for something that will be quiet, easy to install, not too big and fit nicely with the rest of my components. I looked at several heatsinks, but i think that Zalman's 9700 series coolers is what i'm looking for.

What i'd like to know is what is the difference between these 2 units: CNPS9700 LED & CNPS9700 NT, besides the obvious fact that the first one has blue LEds and the second one doesnt. The NT version cost $10 more on newegg, why are they charging $10 more for it, i looked at the specs at Zalman's site they are pretty much identical?

And finally, does anyone recomend using cooler for someone with my requirements? or is there is something better out there?

P.S. I know that Zalman's units are somewhat overpriced, but i dont mind spending $10 or $20 more for something that will work grreat for me.

setscrew · Post by **setscrew** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:00 am

The only difference between the LED and the NT is the nickel plating on the NT version. With regards to cooling, they are identical. Either will do a fine job of cooling your proposed processor.

If you are open to a cooler that will be slightly more efficient in the heat dissipation department (and lower overall noise levels), check out the Scythe Infinity, Scythe Ninja Plus rev. B, Noctua NH-U12F and Tuniq Tower 120.

Good luck and happy cooling.

redboy · Post by **redboy** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:35 am

Thanks for your answer. I have looked into Scythe Ninja and Infinity and Tuniq Tower and a few others during my search, though i never heard of Noctua cooler, i never seen that recomended in the forums. Tuniq Tower is out of the question for me, its hard to mount, especially for a first timer like me and heavy and it does get a bit loud from what i've heard even though it does a great job cooling, it is an overkill in my case, since i wont be OCing like crazy.

Though i do want you to clear up something about Scythe, first of all i heard that Infinity is better than the Ninja Rev B. is that true? Secondly, you mentioned that Scythe, and others, do a slightly better job in heat dissipation, so i just wanted to make sure whether their efficiency is only marginally better than the Zalman not a whole lot better, is that correct? And finally in regards to to being quiet, are you saying that thje Scyther is quieter than Zalman?

I havent yet settled on the Zalman, so thats why i'm asking these quetions, i may wind up going with Scythe afterall, but no matter which CPU cooler i choose, i also plan on applying some Artic Silver 5 thermal paste, which is supposed to do wonders for one's CPU according to reviews at newegg, and coupled with a good cooler it should keep temperatures down to an accetable level.

mojaveron · Post by **mojaveron** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:52 pm

heres a recent review of the Zalman coolers.

http://www.anandtech.com/casecooling/sh ... spx?i=2932

heres a thread I am watching it will be interesting to see the results.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/sho ... p?t=132855

setscrew · Post by **setscrew** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:21 pm

Though i do want you to clear up something about Scythe, first of all i heard that Infinity is better than the Ninja Rev B. is that true?

Infinity is typically one or two degrees (plus or minus) within the the Ninja's temperature. This is statistically equal and does not offset the increase in size and weight.

http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getart ... rticID=519

Secondly, you mentioned that Scythe, and others, do a slightly better job in heat dissipation, so i just wanted to make sure whether their efficiency is only marginally better than the Zalman not a whole lot better, is that correct?

It is only a marginal difference, largely determined by the testing methodology.

http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getart ... rticID=519

And finally in regards to to being quiet, are you saying that the Scythe is quieter than Zalman?

By virtue of the integrated fan, the 9700 can get rather obtrusive (subjective) at higher RPM. Any of the cube coolers (Noctua, Scythe or Tuniq) can be quieter as you the installer have a plethora of 120mm fans from which to choose from.

Out of the box, the 9700 is a very good cooler with solid, straightforward mounting.

No bad choices anywhere.

Good luck.

redboy · Post by **redboy** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:16 pm

Guys,

Thanks for the links, very informative, especially the Anandech review. I must confess that i havent read any online publication reviews until now, i just read newegg customer reviews and was basing my decision on that. I know i should read up a bit more before making a final decision, but for now it is obvious i was wrong about Zalman 9700, meaning i didnt realize it was that heavy in comparison to 9500. That being said i'd like to get a CPU cooler which would weight no more than 600g or so, cause i will have to move my machine when i move to a diffent location and heavy CPU fans are a no-no for that. So i guess i'll consider 9500 or lighter CPU fans, any suggestions for something light, such as the Scythe Katana mentioned in the Anandech review?

mojaveron · Post by **mojaveron** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:46 pm

IMO Tower coolers cool the CPU very well but I prefer a downward pointing sink that blows air across the mobo as well which helps to cool the vregs,mosfets and (depending on the board layout) the northbridge if it is passive., here is three sinks., I am considering to purchase one.

Thermaltake Big Typoon
Silverstone sst-nt06 120mm

or this new one- Enzotech Ultra-x
http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.c ... cleID=2082
as far as weight the silverstone is 570 grams
and the only problem I have with the Scythe sinks is the pushpin mounting system they come with IMO any sink over 400 grams should use a back mounting plate.

setscrew · Post by **setscrew** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:46 pm

http://www.jab-tech.com/Noctua-NH-U-9-pr-3346.html
Noctua NH-U9F
570 grams
backplate included

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835186134
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro
520 grams
push pins

Interesting results regarding the Enzotech.
http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm

redboy · Post by **redboy** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:01 pm

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll research these further, i've heard a lot of good things about Arctic Freezer 7 and TT's Big Typhoon, they seem to be popular at newegg as well. also is there a difference between the Big Typhoon & Big Typhoon vx?

mojaveron · Post by **mojaveron** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:09 pm

I would not recomend the Big Typhoon vx it has the push pin mounting system.,to much weight for this style mounting. the regular Big Typhoon comes with a back plate.

redboy · Post by **redboy** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:18 pm

I'm a bit confused about the Typhoons, there are several models on TT's site, are you trying to recomend this model:

http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/product/C ... -p0268.asp

Also Artic Freezer recomended by setcrew does have push pins so i assume you dont recomend,right?

mojaveron · Post by **mojaveron** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:56 pm

here is the Big Typhoon I am probably going to end up purchasing.

http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/product/c ... -p0114.asp

redboy · Post by **redboy** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:43 pm

Looks good, but it is too heavy for me, its even heavier than the Zalman's 9700. I'll look into the others Enzotech, Silverstone, AC freezer 5, 9500 is still a possibility as well.

Thanks for your help guys!

dgood · Post by **dgood** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:49 pm

I love my zalman 9700 looks sweet works well is quiet, though I wish it had a little less room to move. Lowered my temps great even when I had it installed backward, then I put it on forward and fixed some of my airflow problems lol.

redboy · Post by **redboy** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 10:12 pm

dgood wrote:I love my zalman 9700 looks sweet works well is quiet, though I wish it had a little less room to move. Lowered my temps great even when I had it installed backward, then I put it on forward and fixed some of my airflow problems lol.

I like they way it looks too, especially those blue LEDs, 9500 and 9700 is pretty much the same thing from what i've read, only the latter being a little lighter and smaller, and they perform about the same too. Your opinion of the Zalman is similar to the reviews i read at newegg, however i'd like to explore all options and learn more about other suggested coolers. If anyone wants to suggest something else i'll gladly take it under consideration

redboy · Post by **redboy** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:55 am

Ok, guys, i have done more research and i think i narrowed it down to 2 CPU coolers AC freezer 7 and Zalman 9500 LED or AT and i'm leaning towards Zalman, which ironically is about $20 less on newegg than the other one.

However, there is a problem, i checked the list of compatible motherboards and bad axe 2 was not on that list. They had a bunch of intel boards fron D915, D925, D945, and D955, but no D975, i wonder what is up with that, is it an omission or they are not compatible?

EDit: just a little update regarding zalman cooler compatibility with bad axe 2, i decided to call Zalman and find out if its compatible and was told that it is, just the website hasnt been updated yet. So i'll keep thinking which one to chose.