[raisethe3]

Hi everyone. I was thinking of changing my new CPU cooler when I get the Phenom II 555BE when it comes out. I will probably be swapping my mobo and memory to DDR3 as well. In the meantime, of course I am an overclocking enthusiasts like most of you.

Anyways, as you know, overclocking will require a second-party CPU cooler. I have been looking at the XIGMATEK Dark Knight vs. the XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler vs. XIGMATEK HDT-S1284EE 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler. Is there such big difference between them? They all look very similar so I don't get what's with all the different model names. What are the pros and cons about these?

The Xiggy appeals to me a lot because its a cheap cooler and its under the $40 budget. As you know, I am using an Antec 300 case, so I also would like to know if they will fit comfortably in the case.

Thanks any suggestion and help you can provide.

 

[Matt*S.]

I am unsure about it fitting, but the Dark Knight is a wonderful cooler. I've seen many positive reviews and especially in the performance/dollar category it wins. Hopefully someone on here with a similar setup can comment on it fitting.

 

[Tator Tot]

The order of performance would go

Dark Knight
Original S1283
S1284 EE

The Dark Knight is the best because it comes with the best stock fan on it.

The Original S1283 beats the S1284EE as it has 3 8mm heatpipes, which work better than the S1284's 4 6mm heatpipes. They both come with a decent stock fan, but the Dark Knight's fan is the best.

 

[AntiTalent]

I'd pay attention to the type of mounting you can get away with with an AM2+/AM3 platform.

I.e, Thor's Hammer (Xiggie), like the Zalman CNPS10X Extreme, use a clip in the same way as the stock cooler does. This means you only get to orientate the heatsink one way, (i think) blowing air up/down rather than out the back of the case.

I'm intrigued to see what people suggest, as I'm in a similar position - but I need to be able to orientate the heatsink to push air out the back of the case, not top.

For pure value though, I hear nothing but great things about the Dark Knight.

EDIT: I could be wrong about the orientation thing, if I am, correct me and I'll ninja edit the incorrect info out. That said, it is something worth considering depending on the airflow in your case imo.

 

[Tator Tot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AntiTalent I'd pay attention to the type of mounting you can get away with with an AM2+/AM3 platform. I.e, Thor's Hammer (Xiggie), like the Zalman CNPS10X Extreme, use a clip in the same way as the stock cooler does. This means you only get to orientate the heatsink one way, (i think) blowing air up/down rather than out the back of the case. I'm intrigued to see what people suggest, as I'm in a similar position - but I need to be able to orientate the heatsink to push air out the back of the case, not top. For pure value though, I hear nothing but great things about the Dark Knight. EDIT: I could be wrong about the orientation thing, if I am, correct me and I'll ninja edit the incorrect info out. That said, it is something worth considering depending on the airflow in your case imo.

You are 100% right.

Best option right now for AMD budget users would be the Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer, beats the Xiggies (Besides Thor's Hammer) by a few degree's and has a nice MIR + Free shiping.

It will also blow out the back of your cas.e

 

[Jman_345]

go for the darkknight.

 

[raisethe3]

Well my case exhaust the rear fan and the top fan in the back. So I guess it could be mounted either way. Wouldn't make a difference would it?

But I was mainly thinking that the air should flow to the exhaust rear fan because it would suit better airflow direction. I don't know really...

Thanks for all the answers guys. Rep'd everyone.

 

[getbigtony]

no one suggested mugen 2? u have to change the mounting base, but it performs better than my core contact freezer
i tested it both with same fan

didn't change sig yet

 

[sLowEnd]

For your budget, the Mugen 2 is the best option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tator Tot The order of performance would go Dark Knight Original S1283 S1284 EE The Dark Knight is the best because it comes with the best stock fan on it. The Original S1283 beats the S1284EE as it has 3 8mm heatpipes, which work better than the S1284's 4 6mm heatpipes. They both come with a decent stock fan, but the Dark Knight's fan is the best.

The 1284's heatpipes are 8mm. (Hence the name 1284)

 

[raisethe3]

Damn, that thing is huge! No way, I might break my board putting it on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbigtony no one suggested mugen 2? u have to change the mounting base, but it performs better than my core contact freezer i tested it both with same fan didn't change sig yet

 

[B4Shock]

prolimatech megahalem or TRUE 120...no other cpu cooler compares!

 

[Juggalo23451]

Mugen 2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-093-_-Product
34.99

Dark knight
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-029-_-Product
39.96

True

Megahalem the best
http://jab-tech.com/Prolimatech-Mega...B-pr-4557.html

 

[Enigma8750]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tator Tot The order of performance would go Dark Knight Original S1283 S1284 EE The Dark Knight is the best because it comes with the best stock fan on it. The Original S1283 beats the S1284EE as it has 3 8mm heatpipes, which work better than the S1284's 4 6mm heatpipes. They both come with a decent stock fan, but the Dark Knight's fan is the best.

Or you could use a Aluminum Gum wrapper from some Juicy Fruit Chewing Gum cause those Processors Run Cool even when overclock to 4. Ghz. The Corsair H-50 is a killer little cheap water unit.

 

[Enigma8750]

Quote:

Originally Posted by B4Shock prolimatech megahalem or TRUE 120...no other cpu cooler compares!

Can You Say OVERKILL?

.... I knew you could.

 

[rpgman1]

I would go with Juggalo's suggestions, except the TRUE and Megahalems will be overkill for a PII.

 

[raisethe3]

Geez, the Megahalem is huge! I have it down to the Mugen 2 and the Dark Knight. Little bit leaning towards the Dark Knight.

 

[Conley]

Go with the Mugen 2. From what I've seen, it performs a bit better than the DK. It's easier to mount, too.

 

[Riou]

The advantage of the Mugen 2 is you can orient it to blow out the back of your case. Dark Knight requires a custom AM2 mount to do that.

Mugen 2 is friggin' huge though!

If you have a big budget, the best aircooler is now the the Noctua D14. Really gigantic btw.

 

[raisethe3]

Are you serious? What do they include in the box?

And yes, Mugen 2 is frickin' huge. That's why I am a bit against it. I want something compact, not really small, but not really big. Something that will fit in my case and provide good airflow when overclocking the new CPU.

I forgot I got tall ram heatspreaders as well. Will that interfere? This is my ram.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riou The advantage of the Mugen 2 is you can orient it to blow out the back of your case. Dark Knight requires a custom AM2 mount to do that. Mugen 2 is friggin' huge though! If you have a big budget, the best aircooler is now the the Noctua D14. Really gigantic btw.

 

[AntiTalent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by raisethe3 Are you serious? What do they include in the box? And yes, Mugen 2 is frickin' huge. That's why I am a bit against it. I want something compact, not really small, but not really big. Something that will fit in my case and provide good airflow when overclocking the new CPU. I forgot I got tall ram heatspreaders as well. Will that interfere? This is my ram.

They'd include the bracket-thing.. similar to that of the stock cooler, which will use the same latching points on the standard retention bracket/backplate-thing I believe. Pretty much means you'll only be able to orientate the cooler in 1 direction.

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/175...er/index5.html
The bracket is above the X-plate (Which is the 1366 mount I believe). On the next page you can see an installed pic on a mobo - The AM2/3 Mounting bracket would mean the cooler would be in the other direction than that shown in the pic.

Sometimes the 2 closest DIMM slots can get obstructed by massive coolers but I think you're probably okay if you use the 2 farthest, I don't think any cooler is going to reach them normally(apart from maybe the new noctua or a V10).