Silent CPU Heatsink

[Wasabisam]

Hey guys,
I'm thinking of buying a new heatsink because the stock one i got now is annoyingly loud. (if thats a word lol). Socket is 775 i think this is my CPU:
http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=27_28&products_id=22181&ccsid=e4eb945a33d677a3d6bdea8adee51529

I'm looking for a silent one with or without a fan but basically silent:twisted: i found these couple. So what do you guys think? which ones the best. My price range is well anywhere up to $130 AUD. If you guys find a better one than i posted can you tell me thanks.

LINK 1: http://www.pccasegear.com/prod5207.htm
LINK 2: http://www.pccasegear.com/prod5261.htm
LINK 3: http://www.pccasegear.com/prod5030.htm
LINK 4: http://www.pccasegear.com/prod4119.htm
LINK 5: http://www.pccasegear.com/prod4142.htm

Cheers

Sam

[Zephik]

$130AUD is approximately $110USD right? Hmm, maybe splurge a little more and get a water cooling kit? This is an excellent water cooling kit for $130USD, which I think is... $150AUS? Eh, maybe a lil too much... but here it is anyways just in case your interested.

Swiftech H20-80 Micro (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835108074) - sold out atm though.

They also have a 120mm version of that for $150USD. But thats probably way out of your price range, but here it is anyways. H20-120 Premium (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835108075)

I've heard some good things about the Sonic Tower. I think... Airbozo used one in a build for one of his customers? Anyways, that would have my vote for a silent cpu cooler. Here's a REVIEW (http://www.cluboverclocker.com/reviews/heatsinks/thermaltake/sonic_tower/).

Hope that helps! ^_^

[Wasabisam]

Thanks for the help snow, but i forgot to write that im not looking for a Watercooling system, i heard they can be loud with the pump, radiator and just everything, plus iv never done water cooling lol.

[Zephik]

I think I've heard that the Arctic Freezer Pro 7 is a good cooler thats also silent. Might want to look into that. ^_^

[Wasabisam]

hmm i like that Sonic Tower just a quick question how many fans can u put on that :twisted: i know i said quiet but just incase its a hot day lol oh and how many db is a watercooling thing and is the temps alot better than a normal heatsink eg the sonic tower?

Thanks for the help

Sam

[Zephik]

hmm i like that Sonic Tower just a quick question how many fans can u put on that :twisted: i know i said quiet but just in case its a hot day lol oh and how many db is a watercooling thing and is the temps alot better than a normal heatsink eg the sonic tower?

Thanks for the help

Sam

Looks like the Sonic Tower can hold one 120mm fan. LINK (http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/product/Cooler/Retail/cl-p0071/cl-p0071.asp). I first thought that it would be able to hold two, one on each side. But there are special mounting brackets included for mounting the fan. It appears that there is only one set of these. But as you can see in the pictures, you can use your exhaust for the second fan.

As for the sound level for, lets say that swiftech micro kit. Most of the sound is going to come from the fan cooling down the radiator. The fan that is included is 28dBA. Which is pretty darn silent. I think around 20 is considered "ultra" silent or in other words inaudible while being realistic (I'm sure you could hear it if you put your ear right next to it ;)). The only other real source of sound would be from the pump, which is no louder than a fan. There are three different models of that pump, two of them are under 30dBA and the other one is 30-32dBA. Which is more silent than most case fans, I would call 30-32dBA barely audible, but that could be just me. It seems that sometimes 30dBA+ fans/devices are more silent than others labeled under 30dBA. This is probably due to the different methods in testing the noise level. other than that... you'll probably hear a slight trickle which I have heard can be quite soothing at times. :p

People often compare high end air coolers against low end water coolers. They seem to perform either the same or in the favor of water cooling. But its almost always in the favor of water cooling unless you cheap out on some $70USD monstrosity like the TT Silent Water or the Silver Knight. Here's some links for you to check out...

http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=119947
http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/Air-Cheap-Water-Cooling-ftopict239451.html
http://www.overclockers.com/tips77/
http://www.techspot.com/vb/all/windows/t-39134-Fans-Vs-Water-Cooling.html

Hope that helps. ^_^

[.Maleficus.]

Ehhhh, I don't know if I would call 28db barely audible. I have 2 28db fans on my PC right now, and there is a nice constant "whoosh", like a strong breeze. The Blue Orb has a 17db fan that is considered "ultra quiet", but 28 is a big step from 17.

But I would go for the Sonic Tower, or this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835109140).

[Outlaw]

Here's (http://www.anandtech.com/casecooling/showdoc.aspx?i=2941&p=4) link for the Thermalright Ultra 120, but it's not the best. There are others in the list that do better that you could look into.

From link: Keep in mind these were tested on a x6800(2.93Ghz)
Best - Worst(Load/Idle)
Tuniq Tower 120 =34C/27C
Cooler Master Hyper 6+ =36C/31C
Zalman CNPS9700 =36C/28C
Scythe Infinity - Dual Fan =38C/29C
Monsoon 2 Lite =39C/32C
Zalman CNPS9500 =39C/30C
Scythe Infinity Stock =40C/31C
Scythe Katana =42C/32C
Thermalright Ultra 120 - FANLESS =47C/33C(load with fan)/27C ($60(US))
Thermalright MST-6775 =49C/39C
Intel Retail HSF =56C/41

If you read the whole review, it actually outperforms all of the other heatsinks with a fan attatched.

Also, I don't know if it will be removed, but here (http://www.computerpoweruser.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=14268&forumID=4&catID=1&search=1&searchstring=&sessionID={4BE5962E-B614-448D-99C5-D137EEFE206D}) is a post I started in CPU looking mainly for a good passive, but was suggested HSF's too.

Good Luck.

[Spawn-Inc]

if you've got the space in your case go for this (http://www.thermalright.com/a_page/main_product_ultra120_extreme.htm), a thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme. i would get one myself but it can't fit my case because of a fan and i'm gonna be getting water cooling so theres no point for me to get it.

[Airbozo]

The sonic tower is a great piece of gear. I have put that cpu cooler in 5 different systems now and all the custy's love it. With a little modification you could put 2 fans on that beast, but I have found it sits close enough to the rear exhaust fan that it does not need a fan at all. My only concern with that cooler is the weight. When shipping systems with that cpu cooler I will put in a little shipping bracket to keep it from moving around.

I just got This one;

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/cooling_products/ocz_vindicator_cpu_cooler

(for almost free) but have not installed it yet. I am hoping to install it without the fan.

I will be putting this one;
http://www.pccasegear.com/prod2147.htm
in a system today. I will let you know how it sounds and works.

[Zephik]

That OCZ cooler looks SAWEET Airbozo!

[Spawn-Inc]

this one (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=185&products_id=21746) looks cool too but i'm not sure of performance. it would go great for a car theme as it looks like a engine block... kinda.

[Zephik]

this one (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=185&products_id=21746) looks cool too but i'm not sure of performance. it would go great for a car theme as it looks like a engine block... kinda.

lol woah. That things pretty crazy looking huh? And your right, that does look kind of like an engine block or something. ^_^

Review time!

http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=4876
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/441
http://www.frostytech.com/permalink.cfm?NewsID=57774

Gawd I love copper heatpipes... they just look sexy! Makes me think about tossing out the ole blue orb sometimes...

[Wasabisam]

Thanks for the fast replys and ideas ill wait for Airbozo to post about how good the one he is putting in. if its no good i shall get the sonic tower :D

cheers

sam

[Airbozo]

Ok real quick, what is the best program to monitor temps of a cpu. I just finished the system I was working on and want to post the temps with this heat sink (not the ocz will be installing that tonight). I want to be able to monitor the temps while I fire up a cpu intensive program.

[.Maleficus.]

Ok real quick, what is the best program to monitor temps of a cpu. I just finished the system I was working on and want to post the temps with this heat sink (not the ocz will be installing that tonight). I want to be able to monitor the temps while I fire up a cpu intensive program.
I use Intel TAT (Thermal Analysis Tool) though I don't know how accurate it is since it's made for Pentium-M processors (to check heating on laptops). It tells the temp, and allows you to run the processor at 100%.

[Airbozo]

Thanks, getting that now to test...

Should be able to post some temps after lunch.

[Wasabisam]

Thanks Airbozo, can't wait for the results.

Cheers

Sam

[Airbozo]

So I was unable to get the temps from the system here at work. The customer came a little early and left with a HUGE smile on his face (I was hoping he would forget it). Anyway I did have some chance to check out the heat sink. It was running very quiet and as far as I could tel using my hands, the pipes coming off the mounting plate were barely warm.
My only issue with it was the mounting plate. It is the crappy push in pins, same as the stock heat sink and the one in the upper left corner (just below and to the left of the PSU), was a complete PAIN IN THE ASS to get it clipped in. Took me longer to get that corner of the bracket seated than it did to install the rest of the components.
Other than that I am pleased with the performance. I am having the customer (a moderate gamer), record some temps for me while he is playing a few games. I don't expect any info soon though.

[Wasabisam]

hmm so what do you thinks better the Sonic Tower or the one you just tested?

[Airbozo]

hmm so what do you thinks better the Sonic Tower or the one you just tested?

The Sonic Tower.

I have no physical data to back up that answer, just a preference. Partly because of the crap stock clips on the Tt heat sink and the Sonic Tower has screws and a bracket holding it down.

I called one of our customers that we provided a system to, that included the Sonic Tower. They have been running that system almost day and night for many months and have not had any heat related issues. They are running software that heavily stresses the CPU and GPU as well as the memory and no issues at all (their application is a digital to analog (and back) video transfer station hooked up to proprietary hardware devices (mainly a video camera system)).

[Wasabisam]

Thanks alot airbozo i shall buy a Sonic tower when i get the money. Hopefully soon.

Cheers

Sam

[Airbozo]

BTW, even though I don't like the clips on the Tt Heatsink I posted, It does perform well. The customer we built the last system for using that heatsink called me today. He left work early yesterday to go, ahem, "test" his system. He ended up playing games ALL night long. He has no AC in his house, only fans and when the temp hit 100 degrees yesterday afternoon, the system fans did not even spin up to medium. He noted that the cpu temp only bumped up a couple of degrees during the day and dropped as soon as the ambient temp went down. He is "working" from home today...

[Silenced_Coyote]

You could get the Thermalright Ultra (or the Extreme version) and stick a Nexus fan on it. It is 23 dba according to the SPCR review (http://www.silentpcreview.com/article646-page3.html). You could always under volt it if it is still too loud according to your preference. The Scythe Ninja is another SPCR top pick.

[$loth]

Noctua has a fan (well some of them do), either that or the Zerotherm BTF95.