CPU Cooler for Quad Core 1

[cjelec]

Hi,

I'm trying to find a heatsink that can withstand a Core 2 Quad?

I currently have a Dual core chip, but I'm upgrading the CPU in about a month.

I'm buying a new mobo and case this week so I was looking for a cooler to order at the same time.

What's the best cooler at the moment?

Thanks

 

[franklin97355]

What does the manufacturer recommend?

The answer is "42"

 

[cjelec]

Intel don't recommend coolers for their products.

 

[Johnthephoneguy]

Unless you are overclocking, the cooler than comes with the processor will work fine.

JohnThePhoneGuy

"If I can't fix it, it's not broke!

 

[paparazi]

One of the best at the moment is the Thermalright Ultra 120 eXtreme.

http://www.xsreviews.co.uk/reviews/cpu-coolers/thermalright-ultra-120-extreme/

But as others have said, for default speeds the original supplied cooler is fine.

Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[cjelec]

Thanks all for your replies.

I might over clock later down the line. I'm buying the mobo partly for the higher fsb and so I have greater control of tweaking my system (including oc'ing).

Martin, I don't know why I missed that cooler, the test results are really good, it has also won awards... I think I might go for it.

Thanks again

 

[Gamer4life]

If you're buying the Intel Core2 Quad Q6600, the stock cooler works fine. I bought that processor over a month ago now and it runs like a champ at stock speeds. I haven't found a reason to OC it yet.

Are you gaming, video editing, etc?

 

[cjelec]

Hi Gamer4life,

I run a Lan party every Monday...

I sometimes have jobs that require video editing and rendering of 3D movies. This is the main reason I'm upgrading the PC...

Thanks

 

[wahnula]

I run a Lan party every Monday...

Stock coolers are fine for servers and workstations, but a LAN party server needs some bling. I love my ThermalTake V1, which replaced a Zalman 9700.

http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/product/Cooler/Retail/Cl-P0401/cl-p0401.asp

It is quieter and cooler, and looks great. When my overclocked-to-3GHz Core 2 Duo E6600 gets working (like a Sandra math test), it hits maybe 39c, then backs right down to its 31c idle. I keep the fan control at its lowest, quietest setting too.

Tony

"If it can't take it, I don't want it

 

[paparazi]

About as good as you can get with air cooled cooling, and has the potential of being much quieter than a stock Intel heatsink/fan.

This is a better review:

http://www.anandtech.com/casecooling/showdoc.aspx?i=2943

Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[wahnula]

My experience with fanless coolers (ZeroTherm BTF95) was not a good one as your case needs a certain particular airflow pattern for them to work properly. Plan on a fugly fan...

Tony

"If it can't take it, I don't want it

 

[cjelec]

I did look at the V1, it has that something different look.

I would go water-cool but my current budget only stretches another £40-50. Also I'm thinking water+moving=sparks.

So:
V1 = style and silent
120 X = cool (by about 5-10'c)

 

[paparazi]

Hi there,
I see you are in the UK.

The Tuniq Tower is also a good option, both are here:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=57

Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[cjelec]

Martin, I did think of that one, I can't think why I didn't consider it? It could be the temps (~50-60'c) but I can't remember what they were exactly.

It does have that frag look. A red led fan inside... It reminds me of that temple of nod case mod from last year.

 

[cjelec]

So another round up and 7 hours to go before I order the parts:

Tuniq Tower - for the gaming look (upto 60'c)
V1 - for style (upto ~55'c)
120 eXtreme - for high performance (upto 40'c)
ZeroTherm - not quite to my taste (although would work, in a well fanned case)

The next question would be, what is the right temp to aim for?

At the moment (wait for it) my CPU runs at 30 idle and upto 70 at full gaming (latest games) load with a stock cooler, which makes me panic. I know that most of this heat is due to my current case (hence new case), and my new case is really good at keeping things cool. I might get better performance out of all the coolers suggested.

Thanks again to all

 

[wahnula]

Forget the ZeroTherm...I removed that ridiculous plastic butterfly but the fanless model booted up at 40C at idle and was up to 50C when I shut it down. Re-seated with AS5, same. I get excited about anything that's fanless (hate noise) but this cooler was a really extreme experience in disappointment. It sold on eBay for $.99, I was glad to be rid of it.

Nobody's mentioned the Zalman 9500 or 9700, they are both excellent coolers, and their price has come down.

And most definitely yes, a quality aftermarket cooler will provide lower temps under load than a stock cooler.

Tony

"If it can't take it, I don't want it

 

[paparazi]

cjelec quote..
The next question would be, what is the right temp to aim for?

The lower the better! there is no minimum, cooler is always better but that is not to say that the CPU won't run just fine up to around 60C
I'm not sure where you got all those figures from, all I can say is if you are going for an aftermarket cooler there is no point in buying something that doesn't cool better than standard, all the ones chosen offer substantially better cooling so it's down to personal task.
The Tuniq or the Thermalright would be my choices but there you go.
Even the standard Thermalright 120 would be a good choice over the standard Intel.
Martin


We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[cjelec]

Thanks to all who responded to my question.

I got the figures from reviews where the test rigs was about the same as the one I'll end up with.

I have ordered the Thermalright ultra 120 extreme. I'll post the actual temps when I get it.

Thanks again.

 

[cjelec]

Well, I got my Thermalright ultra 120 extreme...

I can't get the temperature to go above 41'c with my current processor.

Thanks Martin for your suggestion, it turned out to be a really good buy.

Also, thanks to every one else who contributed to the discussion...