Curse

Kamatsu · Oct 13, 2010, 12:28 AM // 00:28

Hi all,

At the moment using the stock cooler that came with my system which is doing ok, but I'm considering getting a better cooler for it.

Here's my specs:

CPU: AMD Phenom II x4 965
Case: CM 690 Advanced

Right now my CPU idles at 52-53^c, and on load goes up to 57-59^c (albeit that was monitored when using graphics intensive processes, not cpu intensive stuff).

Please note 2 things:

1. I'm in Australia and don't want to purchase from overseas. In fact, if I can buy from the store listed below.. it would be preferable.
2. I do have a budget, nothing over $120

For water cooling, this leaves me 2 options (if purchased from my favorite store.. lolz):

CoolIT ECO A.L.C. CPU Cooler
Corsair Hydro Series H50 CPU Cooler

Either of those options would mean loosing the rear exhaust in my case, although from what I can see the CoolIT ECO has the ability for a fan to be attached to the front of the radiator.. thus enabling exhaust through it..

The temperature gauges are interesting. The "review" for the CoolIT system suggests that under load it will drop temps from ~88^c down to ~61^c. While the Corsair system claims it can reduce down to ~55^c.. and that "high end air cooling" will be around 62^c.

Now, onto the fan based cooling:

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ath=207_23_312

Huge list, and I am left wondering just what is worth considering, and whats not.. (and lol, the water cooling options are listed as well..) there seems to be quite a few options and choices if one wants to go with air cooling..

Out of the fans listed in the above link, any recommended? again.. nothing over $120, which doesn't seem to be an issue seeing as most of the fan based options are $40-80..

Thanx in advance for any assistance with this

End · Oct 13, 2010, 01:18 AM // 01:18

Your temps don't seem to be horrible. I really wouldn't spend the extra money on liquid cooling with those temps.

I personally would go with:
choice one

or

choice two

Choice one has from what I'm told a little better cooling proformance. However, I'm not a huge fan of automatic controls. I mean I get the reasoning. But I also hear that it can get loud. And sometimes I don't mind it being a few degrees hotter if it means I can't hear the thing three doors down.

The second...well lets be honest it looks good. I have heard good things about it's proformance and from what I understand you manually control the speed. So no need to worry about it suddenly getting fricken loud suddenly.

Just my 2 cents. But I'm a nub and listen to anyone else over me...

Quaker · Oct 13, 2010, 02:05 PM // 14:05

This one - The CM Hyper 212+:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=12544
is all you'll ever need, baring some really fancy water cooling. Check the reviews, you'll see that it outperforms even many water coolers.
There's also the Prolimatech Armageddon, but it's not on that list.

Elder III · Oct 13, 2010, 02:27 PM // 14:27

Are you at stock speeds & voltages? That's an awful high idle temperature for that CPU without over-volting it. I've had a couple from that series and they idle in the 28-31 C range for me (on stock).

Armageddon · Oct 13, 2010, 06:07 PM // 18:07

I agree with Quaker, the CM Hyper 212 plus is awesome for the price and better than many more expensive HSF's

http://www.frostytech.com/articlevie...id=2419&page=5

I'm getting one to replace my CoolIT Domino ALC, after living in fear from all the bad reviews about them leaking and destroying systems

Kamatsu · Oct 14, 2010, 12:26 AM // 00:26

Elder III - yes, running on stock voltages & speeds atm. The reason I'm looking at better cooling solution is because the idle temp is as high as it is.

Now some of that is climate issue's - I'm in a non airconned room and the temp here is currently 26-27^C, with an expected high of 29^C.. and it's not yet summer. Summer temps go from 30-31^c at night to 34-37^c in the day.. and since it's coming to summer here soon.. and with high idle temp's.. I'm planning on getting better cooling.

Lourens · Oct 14, 2010, 07:50 PM // 19:50

I got an asus square evo and my cpu temp doesnt go above 30 degrees celcius

Kamatsu · Oct 18, 2010, 10:16 PM // 22:16

Just want to say a big thanx for the the suggestions

I decided to go ahead and get the CM Hyper 212+ (a big reason for this is a friend was donating 4 GB of ram to me.. and a lot of cpu coolers would have prevented me from using them).

CPU idle temp is now 39-41^c .. so by switching to an after-market cooler and using arctic silver thermal paste.. I've dropped 11-14^c on idle.. which is good as far as I'm concerned..

SacredTbag · Oct 30, 2010, 02:47 PM // 14:47

I actually have the Corsair closed loop system on my newegg wishlist right now. I'm a fan of those units. I used to run a CoolerMaster Aquagate Mini on my old 939 rig, and I'd still use it right now if it would mount on an AM2+ socket. Granted I had added a high-end radiator onto it, but it was still a great buy regardless. I've considered multiple times over the last year to make my own mounting bracket for it and use it anyway