zone

Which cooling system would you choose and why ?

The Thermaltake Big Water SE
OR
The Thermalright XP-90C with a Vantec Tornado 92mm fan

Note: Is the Vantec Tornado fan always running at the same speed and thus generating a 56.4 dB noise level ? Or can I connect it to my psu's (Antec TPII 480W) special "fan only" connector which would control its speed depending on the temperature ?

nytevizion

I dont see why you couldn't connect it to that adjustable fan speed controller. Most fans run from about 6 to 12 volts, and obviously the more power the faster they run. Once you go below the rated voltage of 6-7 volts, they just stop spinning completely. I know some of the higher speed tornado as well as other brand high speed fans should not be connected directly to the mainboard due to the high power consumption, and could damage your mainboard. Give it a shot.

Im using a standard Xp-90 right now, and im barely satisfied with it. If you are looking to really juice your system, I would go with water cooling. I'm not aware of the specs on that big water though.

Check some of the reviews on it, but I hear that most people say you can build a water cooled system for less money that out performs most ready built systems.

adas

This one is a pretty though one....because while the XP-90C is very good, you do need the fast tornado on it. And yes, you should be able to put the tonado on the fan only line, but bfore you do, check how many watts the fan-only line can deliver so that you don't limit the tornado. But if it does have enough then your psu will quite down the tonado when needed, and when on about 50% speed it still moves a lot of air and is MUCH quieter.

The Thermaltake igwater, well, most people don't like it because it is kind of a peice of crap. I mean, it's not horrible, but at least I would not get it for your 630, as the Bigwater can't hold that much heat and dissipate it.

I know these suggestions were not one of your options, but I would recommend at least getting a swiftech water kit if you want water, or getting a thermaltake Big Typhoon for air cooling. The typhoon is big, but it's also VERY quiet with the stock fan, while giving great temps. Later on you can also change the fan for something with a little more cfm.

But anyways, if you HAVE to go with either the XP90c or the Bigwater, I would take the XP90c.....because it takes up a LOT less room then the bigwater, while temps would probably be almost the same (+/- 3*c)

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zone

Well I have already tried the Big Typhoon and I couldn't fit it on my mobo (a mini-atx)
Otherwise, I would be running it right now. I know it's much cheaper than any of the XP-90c (with the brackets for the LGA775 and the Tornado fan) or the Big Water SE.
It's just that when I asked my question I was really worried about the sound the Tornado fan will make because every review I have read so far says it's extremely loud ! My pc is in my room and it's always running. Even at night.

adas

Ah, ok that makes sense

Really, this is kind of a tough choice, since almost everybody I have seen with Bigwaters have not liked them too much because of temps, and also heard of pumps failing(i believe).

The XP90c is supposedly one of the best air coolers out, and with a tornado is very good. I mean, the tornado is VERY loud at max speed, but if you turn it down via your psu, it will be fine. You could also get a seperate fan controlller, that would probably do a much better job

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SOREcats

°°

SOREcats

As can be seen in my specs, I'm running a big water.
I have it on a p4 2.8c0 800fsb pressy. my temps (un-clocked as yet)
are remarkably low. 36°c idle/46°c load, Farcry demo loop for 6 hours.

I too have heard the +&-'s about the big water
and decided to go with it for price $69 usd from outpost/fry's.

I'm hoping when I do start OC'in it stays this stable. So far so good.

How do you rate prime95's torture test, for testing OC stability?

Lone136

I have a xp90 with delta 90mm and it works just fan. It's not to load to keep me up at night and I have temps of 28/38. Thats with a 20% overclock

zone

Sorecats
Prime95 is excellent for testing stability but many people combine it with other software like SuperPI and Sisoft Sandra's burn in test.
Thanks for the info on the Big Water SE.
What is your ambient temp ?

Lone136
I guess the fan you're using is not as loud as the Vantec Tornado fan that I plan on adding to the XP-90c in case I buy it. It's rated at 56.4 dB at full speed !
What is you ambient temp ?

The problem is that, without ambient temps, both idle and load temps are almost meaningless. If you ambient temp is 19C then your results will greatly differ from those of someone living in a hot country with ambient temps as high as 30C.
Anyway, thanks for your input guys.

Transonic

XP-90c hands down.

Price is the biggest advantage even if you do lose a few degrees in temperature.

Reliability; less things to go wrong.

On the other hand you'd have to deal with the noise. I'd look into some other brands of fans before settling with the Tornado. I had 2 of them before and they were loud like vaccum cleaners. Delta and Panaflo make great fans too. But your best bet would be a fan controller... if you ever plan on sleeping at night.

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