stargate125645

Edit:
Starting with post 60, I am now looking for chipset coolers with a black theme. No real price limit here.

Original Post (No longer relevant):
So I am going to either go with an AM3 or 1366 build (will decide when AM3 is released). In the mean time, I have purchased the new case I will use (Antec 1200), and I would like to transfer my current rig over to that case. Thus, I need a cooler that is compatible with AM2/AM2+/AM3, 775, and 1366. If I have to buy a separate mounting kit for 1366 that is acceptable but it will take out from the cost limits I will provide later. Furthermore, the Antec 1200 has a black interior, and I have since sleeved all the cabling to be black as well, so I would like to continue with my black theme. I also need this cooler to perform at or better than the level of my Tuniq Tower 120. Since I will be getting a new motherboard, CPU, and RAM I would like to keep peripheral costs down, so no $100 coolers, please! (I think the $75 TRUE is already too expensive.)

So, in summary, my requirements:

• Compatible with sockets AM2/AM2+/AM3, 775, and 1366
• Black color (preferrence, not a requirement)
• Performance that rivals or beats my Tuniq Tower 120
• Keep costs around $75 (U.S.) or below
• Fits inside an Antec 1200 case

So far, I have come up with several options: the Xigmatek S1283 Dark Knight, the Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme Black (is there a 1366 retention bracket for this?), the Noctua NH-U12P, and he Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer. Any others? Please also suggest quality replacement fans to get the most performance from these coolers!

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Wavefunction

You can get a bolt-through kit for the TRUE for 1366.
Example: http://www.crazypc.com/store/merchan...Category_Code=

stargate125645

Is that custom made or an actual Thermalright product? With an extra $11 that exceeds my intended budget but it is an option. I presume that bracket would work for the TRUE black?

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Juggalo23451

yes it is made by thermalright and yes it will fit the true black

Blameless

The TRUE if you intend to lap, or the Noctua if you really want to avoid it.

The Xigmatek HDT-S1283 will NOT be able to cope with a large OC on an i7.

stargate125645

Yeah, it does appear small but it is also black so it is an option. I don't intend to have a 24/7 huge OC (I'll be happy if it does 3.5GHz 24/7) but as always the cooler the temperatures the better. Because of the black finish, I do not intend to lap the base of the TRUE. Even so, most reviews put it right at the top and they do not use a lapped version so it's not like it's required to get a great performer. I presume you are also implying that the Noctua is a better performer without the lapping? Tests I've seen show them pretty close (maybe a degree or two) - are there reviews I have missed suggesting otherwise?

Any fan suggestions for these coolers?

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spaceballsrules

I am personally biased towards the Noctua because of the stellar design and the customer service.
If you get the 1366 version of the Noctua, it comes with 2 of the Noctua fans, and those are whisper quiet. No need to upgrade from those. If you do want different fans with higher CFM, I would go with the Scythe S-Flex, sell the Noctua fans, and still have money left over.
The Xigmatek falls short performance-wise when coompared to bot the Noctua and TRUE. An unlapped TRUE will never outperform a Noctua either, no matter what fan you put on it, and the TRUE performs better with the noisier 38mm fans due to the increased static pressure. The TRUE relies on this static pressure because of the tightly packed design of its fins.
The Noctua, on the other hand, does not need high static pressure since the fins are not packed tightly together, and Noctua has designed the fins with an anti-vortex feature. This means the airflow is not hindered in any way, and does not "swish" around between the fins. This results in better and quieter airflow.
I already mentioned it, but I will say it again....Noctua customer service FTW!

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stargate125645

Alright, so two people have suggested that the Noctua is better than the Thermalright at stock. Can someone give me a link to such a review? I have not seen any reviews where it shows a significant difference between the two so I have to be missing something.

Also, I have heard about the pressure issue with the TRUE heat sinks. Is there an article on this as well? Most reviews don't plop on 38mm fans when they do the tests, so clearly the TRUE performs near the top with a regular fan. Is it that much better with a 38mm one? This article implies that such a fan is not needed. Furthermore, aren't the fan clips only going to fit 25mm fans and not 38mm?

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Marin

The fan holder only works with 25mm fans, the fan clips used on the TRUE before 1366 used clips. Some sites, like Jab-Tech, still sell the fan clips.

Good 25mm fan:
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=24020

Good 38mm fans:
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...roducts_id=477

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=24322


Now there is no review using 38mm fans, the reason why? I am to the point of thinking basically all review sites have the most ignorant reviewers (yes, harsh) that refuse to see that they're reviewing stuff for a niche of enthusiasts. Not the mainstream market who runs everything at stock and uses pre-builts. Who will buy a TRUE and run the CPU at stock, basically nobody.

Anyways, moving on. User reviews (I'll find one later) and personal experience among enthusiasts all show that the TRUE does need a fan with a lot of static pressure.

Also about the Noctua, one recent review has shown it at top. I still don't like these reviews as they don't show the proper conditions any of these coolers will be used in. Some OCN members whine about all the work that needs to be done to replace a fan, lap a cooler or pressure mod it so that's why you see this being posted all the time.

Anyways, it's really come down to the Noctua being better for silent rigs while the TRUE is better for people aiming for performance.

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stargate125645

Now are you speaking about a lapped TRUE or stock? I am worried that the black coating will create a mess if I lap TRUE black. I realize it isn't paint, but I don't know how thick or thin the layer is on the base of the heat sink. I have a lapping kit from when I improved my Tuniq Tower 120, but I'll need replacement sandpaper no doubt.

If I get a fan that is 38mm, I'd like it to be no louder than the Silverstone FM121 I currently use.

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