Choosing good CPU cooler
 

Hello,
I have Phenom II X4 cpu, and as AM3 socket seems to stay around for a while, and the stock cooler is kinda noisy, I'd like to buy custom cooler.

(I have a limited budget of 40€, don't want to spend more than that on a cooler).

My favourites are:
CoolerMaster VORTEX Plus
Zalman CNPS10X Performa
Zalman CNPS9700 LED

I, however, am not sure which one of them to pick, so I'd like to know your opinion.


Thanks,

Skyer

Zalman CNPS9700.....wow, they still make them? *blinks* They werent that good in 2006. I've got one here, its noisy as hell.

Dont get the VORTEX Plus, unless you have got space issues (then the zalman coolers arent a option). If you are going to get a coolermaster heatsink in that price range the hyper 212+ is better.

From this test is looks like the Zalman CNPS10X Performa runs slightly cooler but will be more noisy than a Hyper 212+- '

http://www.frostytech.com/articlevie...id=2498&page=4

BTW, IMO there isnt that much difference between the Performa and the Hyper 212+ as far as the basic heatsink goes, most of the differences you will see in benchmarking is due to different fans. A good quality 120mm on either of those heatsinks would be quieter and possibly even move more air than the 120mm fans you get on heatsinks in that price range.

Thank you for your reply,
it seems like I will go for CNPS10X Performa. I have bigger case, Performa is newer than Hyper212+, and as you specified, should run cooler - so I guess that would be the right option for me.



Skyer

Newer doesnt matter at all- heatpipe coolers have been around for ages now.

According to that frostytech review, the Performa does run cooler, but its only 1.3C cooler and its a lot louder- 57.8dB vs 50.1dB for the Hyper 212+.

I rather have the Hyper 212+ if only because its lighter (626g, the Performa is 748g).

Sounds considerable, but I think age matters too, as there could be some newer technologies (materials) applied. I don't know any details about it though (just guessing), and also am not sure about how loud those additional 7.8db would be.

Are you sure it's worth it? I mean, I'd like to go as cold as possible within budget.

Thanks,

Skyer

Nope, they are no 'new technologies' or materials on the CNPS10X Performa (or any other CNPS10X heatsink for that matter)

7.8dB (7.7dB actually, but with my maths I cant say much LOL) can be taken various ways, depending on who you talk to. It would be a noticable difference, maybe 40-50% louder.

BTW, from a bit of looking I would say that the Performa would do better at high heat levels, high fan speeds, and high CFM fans. The Hyper 212+ would do better at lower heat levels, lower fan speeds and with lower CFM fans.

If you want to run 'as cool as possible' then the Performa would be he way to go (unless you dont mind spending another few quid on a extra fan so you can run 2 x 120mm fans at low speed on the Hyper 212+).

If you wanted the system to be as quiet as possible for any given heat level, the Hyper 212+ would be better.

Thank you for your post.

40-50% louder, that's a lot of additional noise. Beside the fact that I want to go as cold as possible, I will take your advice after all. I mean, 1C is not that much, and when I'll need better cooling, I'll take the water.

Problem solved.

Skyer

Glad it helped. I've got to say that while I think that the hyper 212+ is better in some ways, I dont know if I would pay any more for the hyper 212+ over the CNPS10X Performa.

BTW, do you know about staticice?

http://www.staticice.co.uk/

Great for finding the best prices on computer parts and some other electronics/gadgets.

Wouldnt bother unless you are going to build a nice custom system. Most of the water cooling kits are no better than a good air cooler.

Well,
Hyper212+ is cheaper than CNPS10X Performa here. (The difference is about 1€ though :)).

I don't know the website you mentioned, but I don't live in UK, so I guess I'd pay more for shipping than the item itself. (When it comes to something like cpu cooler). But I do admit that I am planning to buy my nearest computer from there.

Exactly my plan.



Skyer

Opps. For some reason I thought that you were in the UK. *blames minor dyslexia and the similarity between the € and ₤ symbols* :D

One hint, if you are building your own custom water cooling setup- car heatercores (its the radiator that is behind the dashboard for heating the car interior and windscreen). Very cheap, available made from aluminium and copper (best to avoid different metals in the cooling loop) and in various sizes. Most of the custom watering setups I've seen or helped out with have used car heatercores.

Yeah, but UK is a nice place to live in, isn't it? I mean, I'd like to go there on university.

Sounds interesting, I'll make sure not to forget about it. Anyway, I think most of these "non-thinking" computer accessories are pretty much overpriced - they could be replaced by a home-made parts for much lower prices, and that doesn't even count in the fun making the parts.

I've heard varied reports about the UK. Since I've never lived there I really dont know for sure.

A lot of the time, yeah. Though making some parts is not fun unless you've got access to some industrial machinery.

Me neither, except for few shorter visits.


I'm lucky that my grand father is sort of technician - he's got a lot of this stuff at home.

I havent even had a short visit. But I'm about as far away from the UK as you can get....

Lucky for you. Go crazy, make all the stuff you can! :D

Lessee, 40 pounds GB is about 60 dollars US ($55 AU or CN) (and the Euro is cratering as we speak, so even less), and for that you can buy a cheap refrigerator and run the wires out the door without much loss of cooling capacity (especially if you use duct tape around the wire/seal gap). For a dollar (35 pence) a month or less and a sufficiently high 'fridge setting, you can keep the computer in the fridge.

AND a couple of sixes of Guinness Extra Stout, too!

Am I missing anything?