Help me decide on best HSF - Tech Support Forums

Sweeper · December 12th, 2002, 05:29 AM

Looking to pick up a nice HSF (esp. for overclocking). I have a Thermaltake Xaser II case now with the P4 2.4GHz retail fan on it now. I found 2 fans which I am interested in at a local store:

Thermaltake Volcano 7+AMD XP/P4 Up To 3G http://www.pcclub.com/productdetail_...%20(Processor)

ThermalTake P4 3G Spark 7 http://www.pcclub.com/productdetail_...%20(Processor)

I am wanting to stay with Thermaltake considering I am using there case and both heatsinks seem to have decent to very good reviews. I just don't know which one is better.??

I've tried Zalman, Coolermaster, the Thermaltake Dragon Orb, and am currently using the stock Intel HSF. None really get the CPU as cool as I like. Other opinions are welcome as well.

Any help would be great!

Thanks,
Sweeper

Sweeper · December 12th, 2002, 05:53 PM

Well, I went ahead and picked up the ThermalTake P4 3G Spark 7 http://www.pcclub.com/productdetail...U%20(Processor)

This thing is NICE!!! The thermal sensor adjusts your speed depending on how hot the CPU gets. KEWL!!!!!! And or you can run the adjustable fan controller outside your case and adjust it when ever you decided to overclock, etc. Very easy installation as well. Plus it matches my case. x

EndobioticChaos · December 12th, 2002, 07:00 PM

Which is the best... easy to say. ThermalRight's SLK800 tops the charts. In fact, just about anything by ThermalRight will beat just about anything by all the rest.

ragtop · December 12th, 2002, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sweeper

I've tried Zalman, Coolermaster, the Thermaltake Dragon Orb, and am currently using the stock Intel HSF. None really get the CPU as cool as I like.

None of the coolers you mentioned above are really known as "high performance" - although they each have their "niche" (Zalman is quiet, Coolermaster is cheap, Dragon Orb looks cool, and the stock fan is convenient because it comes with the processor)

That new Thermaltake unit should do a better job of cooling than the others, but you may have to set the fan to always run on high speed to get the performance you need.

Sweeper · December 13th, 2002, 05:39 AM

http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=5315592

My latest with the new Thermaltake Spark 7 HSF
I'm running the fan at 1/2 speed (nice and quiet) and it still cools better than any other of the HSF's I've tried. Though I will admit, MSI does have a problem with there temp. reading on there boards. With the Thermal Sensor attached under the Heatsink next to the CPU *using it to determine the Fan speed / Heat* the Bios shows 43c while the Sensor obviously thinks it's much cooler because it sets the fan to about 1800RPM's......

Sweeper · December 14th, 2002, 07:21 AM

Only one problem with the ThermalRight's SLK800... It's not made for P4's.

hifi · December 14th, 2002, 07:37 AM

True, looking good there Sweeper

You got me sweating....

I would have recommended the Volcano 7+ as that is the only one I am familiar with (as I have it cooling one of my AMD systems). I havn't read any reviews on the h/s you have choosen, but heck if you are able to get a solid 400MHz oc out of it, it must be doing a great job!

hifi

Sweeper · December 14th, 2002, 08:49 AM

Thanks hifi.... I tried to get the Volcano 7+ but they were sold out as soon as they stocked them. They had one Spark 7 left and I had to ask them to hold it until I got off work to pick it up. This chip has done a great job performing. But I think I am maxed out. So you still have me beat.

woodbutcher · December 14th, 2002, 10:40 AM

Hey Sweeper
I agree with EC on the thermalrights.
they were supposed to have there SLK-478 out in November for the P4.

http://www.thermalright.com/guideline.html

WB

Sweeper · December 14th, 2002, 10:49 AM

Yeah, I saw that. I was disapointed that they were still only producing them for AMD and had not yet put any out for the P4's. AMD has had the upper hand for some time now on most performance parts, esp. HSF's.