fuzzynutz

Anyone here know a good reliable source for Heatsink reviews using current heatsink's?


I am not interested in spending $70 bucks on a Heatsink just because "it's the c00l3st" if I don't have too.

FYI: I just woke up from sleeping at work for about 6 hours. <3 my job.

grunion

I don't think unbiased reviews exist in this day and age
You can try this one to get you started.

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born2killU

That looks very accurate to me

Notice how the Ultra X only beats the ultra 120 extreme because the fan is twice as powerful

Get the Ultra 120 x its a great cooler

bl!nk

No love for the Tuniq Tower in that review?

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txtmstrjoe

The problem with most "professional" reviews on cooling apparatus that we read (whether online or in print) is that the testing phase is not really standardized compared to each other.

Conventional PC cooling (including water cooling) is highly contextual, meaning that the ambient conditions play a significant part in the results you get. Not all testing is done in strictly laboratory conditions, where you have a chance to minimize the effects of as many variables as possible. Ambient temperatures, fan selection, mounting inside a case, motherboard selection, and other factors all play some part in the results you get when testing cooling equipment.

Furthermore, we're at the complete mercy of the motherboard manufacturer when it comes to sensor calibration, if onboard sensors are all that are used in measuring temperature data. End-users simply have no idea just how accurate these sensors are.

So, having said all this, what are your options? I think the best reviews you can use are those from end-users who have actual experience with the products you're interested in. To find these, you start at a place like OCN, where you have plenty of opinions on many of the most popular products PC enthusiasts use. Some opinions are offered in plenty of detail; others have far less. And you can probably spot "fanboi" spoutings from opinions given by people who have actual working experience with something you're looking at. The best part is, you can start a conversation with anyone here and have your pick at which opinions offered are the most credible to you.

Anyway, sorry for the long post. I thought it may help you (or someone else) to have a peek at how I personally approach things when it comes to getting reviews and opinions on a product.

Good luck!

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Today's "thlnk3r's thoughts": Overclocking doesn't happen overnight...there is much testing involved

Ihatethedukes

From all that I've read and owned I'd only suggest the following coolers.

TR Ultra extreme 120
Enzotech Ultra X
TT Big Typhoon
Tuniq Tower.

Coolers to avoid from my own experience:
GeminII (Three computers with radically different builds with terrible results: E4300/E6300/Brisbane)
Blue Orb II - Just can't stand up to OCing well.

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Cheetos316

Here's another source for some reviews of the HSFs on the market right now. The best HSFs on the market right now are running around $70, not because it's the "c00l3st" thing to have, but because they work so well. For a comparison of the prices, here's the comparison chart from the Egg. It comes down to what your budget is and how extreme you want to go. The BT is the cheapest of the bunch and does a great job and the TR Ultra 120 Ex is the most expensive (since you have to factor in a good 120mm fan too) but it also is one of the best coolers right now. You get what you pay for so it comes down to what you want to get out of your chip. Wallet friendly or hardcore OCing - pick one.

Nechen

I hate to be a stick in the mud but I'll point out a few things

1.) Everyone's case is difference...The CNPS9500 Zalman I have works excellent but for someone with a Midtower that isn't properly configured it may suck and they then run a "test" and say "zomg this cooler sux0rz"

2.) Everyone motherloving heatsink out there is just a big hunk of Copper of Aluminum with a fan on it...no more no less

3.) If you don't want to spend $50-$70 on a Heatsink then just use the stock cooler because any heatsink under $50 is not going to be that good for extreme overclocking

4.) As stated before, Ambients play a HUGE role in cooling...if you buy a $100 heatsink but have poor air circulation inside your case and its 85 degrees in your room then that expensive heatsink will do you no good.

I'd vote for the CNPS9500, I think I paid around $50 for it from ZipZoomFly although there are other alternatives.

-Hope this helps!

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bl!nk

The heatpipes on heatsinks are not solid copper, and the design is also pretty important. Also, my Tuniq tower was only $40 and kicks the crap out of the intel stock heatsink.


Not all heatsinks are created equally.

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