AM3 cooler so many choices!

850 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by E_man, Nov 26, 2009

E_man

Discussion Starter · Nov 25, 2009

I'm building a new computer setup with an AMD PhenomIIx3 720 processor looking to keep it cool. I'm going to try and oc it some, but nothing insane, maybe 3.3-3.5Ghz. Also, if possible, I will unlock the 4th core, assuming it's stable. So I will be using a good amount more heat than stock, which is why I want to buy a fan for it.

The two that I'm looking at right now are the Zalman CNPS 9500 which is only 30$ when put in a combo deal with the 720. However, the CNPS 9700 NT is only 5$ more in the same combo deal. Reviews seem to be real good on both, leaning towards the 9700 if it fits my case, but I was wondering if there are better coolers in the price range of 30-50$

My case is the Azza Solano 1000, which has a big side fan. I have a friend who has it and says the clearance is right around the size of the 9700, but I don't have any exact figures yet, he's getting more precise measurements when he can, but figure the 9700's height as pretty much the limit.

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hitman1985

· #2 · Nov 25, 2009

dark knight / mugen 2 i think they are both better then the zalmans and go in the same budget rank, i love my h50 as it outperforms most air coolers and doesnt take any of my small space away. dark knight would be my primary pick for such a small oc

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n1helix

· #3 · Nov 25, 2009

i wouldnt recomment anything with zalman on it

your best bets are Mugen 2 or Dark Knight

Megahalem if you have the money

Bartmasta

· #4 · Nov 25, 2009

Scythe Mugen 2

Dopamin3

· #5 · Nov 25, 2009

Mugen 2

E_man

Discussion Starter · #6 · Nov 25, 2009

unfortunatly, both the mugen 2 and the dark knight are taller than what I can fit in my case. I just got more exact measurements from my friend (my case is in the mail) and he has 5.75" between mobo and case fan, which is ~146mm. Also, I couldn't find anything called a megahalem on newegg?

I'd love an h50, but those cost more than I want

Any other suggestions?

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hitman1985

· #7 · Nov 25, 2009

3

Quote:

Originally Posted by E_man

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unfortunatly, both the mugen 2 and the dark knight are taller than what I can fit in my case. I just got more exact measurements from my friend (my case is in the mail) and he has 5.75" between mobo and case fan, which is ~146mm. Also, I couldn't find anything called a megahalem on newegg?

I'd love an h50, but those cost more than I want

Any other suggestions?

well then the azza case has yet another downside = not anywhere close to antec 900's width

a 9700 will not fit your case either, as that fan is huge.

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E_man

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 25, 2009

2

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitman1985

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well then the azza case has yet another downside = not anywhere close to antec 900's width

a 9700 will not fit your case either, as that fan is huge.

It actually has the same to slightly more width, just has a big side fan I'd rather not take out.

And according to newegg, the 9700 is about 142mm which fits inside the fan, or are those numbers inaccurtate. It says heatsink dimensions, could that not include the dimensions for the heat pipes?

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/Fail

· #9 · Nov 25, 2009

Take off the side fan?

IMO huge side fans are overrated. They don't do that much. They may lower the GPU temps some, but you'd be able to OC better with a good HSF rather than a bad HSF with a huge side fan.

kow_ciller

· #10 · Nov 25, 2009

How about this? http://www.crazypc.com/products/cctf92-5046.html

It would be more than enough for a tri-core.

E_man

Discussion Starter · #11 · Nov 25, 2009

2

I'll take off the side fan if I have to, but I'd just rather see if I can find a good cooler and leave it on at the same time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kow_ciller

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How about this? http://www.crazypc.com/products/cctf92-5046.html

It would be more than enough for a tri-core.

That one looks good, but Frostytech doesn't seem too fond of it. It's dirt cheap though, at 15$ after rebate on newegg. May go for it just for the price

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mav2000

· #12 · Nov 25, 2009

OCZ Vendetta 2...one of the best for a tri core.

E_man

Discussion Starter · #13 · Nov 25, 2009

Vendetta 2 is a little on the expensive side, hows vendetta 1

mav2000

· #14 · Nov 25, 2009

Not so great. V2 is very good for what it costs...or u could get the xigy 1283.

E_man

Discussion Starter · #15 · Nov 25, 2009

Unfortunatly, that 1283 is 159mm tall, there's only about 146mm between the mobo and sidefan, which the Zalman fits into (by about 2mm)

Right now, I'm kinda deciding between the Zalman 9700 and the Sunbeam Freezer. Reviews make the zalman look better, but the sunbeam is about 20$ cheaper, I don't know if I'll heat my processor enough to really need to spend that extra 20$?

kga92

· #16 · Nov 25, 2009

wth is the side fan doing at same spot as cpu?

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E_man

Discussion Starter · #17 · Nov 26, 2009

2

Quote:

Originally Posted by kga92

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wth is the side fan doing at same spot as cpu?

Haha, I know! Would be so much easier otherwise

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