XP-120 , XP-90, or Zalman 7000B-cu??

xxkrnxstylezxx · Post by **xxkrnxstylezxx** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 9:22 pm

I'm building a new system with socket 939 AMD 64 3000+ and I want the quietest solution.

SO basically I have 3 choices with my budget.

1. XP-120 w/ 120mm Globe fan
2. XP-120 w/ 92mm Nexus Silent Fan
3. Zalman 7000B-cu

The zalman would be $20 cheaper since I wouldnt have to buy an extra fan.

Which of these would be the quietest with best performance?

Thanks

sthayashi · Post by **sthayashi** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 9:50 pm

Are you planning on doing heavy overclocking?

#1 is the best for performance, but I don't think it's an appreciable difference with your proposed setup.

#2 is probably the quietest, especially if you undervolt the Nexus. But again whether this difference is worth the extra $20, I can't say.

xxkrnxstylezxx · Post by **xxkrnxstylezxx** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 10:31 pm

i probably won't overclock much, if at all. Maybe to 3200+ speeds

hmm...ive read the zalman is not very quiet, thats why i'm not sure anymore...

Tamas · Post by **Tamas** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 2:34 pm

xxkrnxstylezxx wrote:i probably won't overclock much, if at all. Maybe to 3200+ speeds

hmm...ive read the zalman is not very quiet, thats why i'm not sure anymore...

I have an XP-90 with Noiseblocker SE 2 Blue 92mm (max. 2000RPM) fan with Athlon 64 2800+ Cool&Quiet and Asus Q-fan (automatic RPM adjustment).

At idle it runs 36C 8-900RPM, full load 42C 1300RPM almost inaudible.
Vibration is very low because Thermalright adds two vibration dampener and Noiseblocker also very good quality.

I recommend you this combination, when i bought i also tried with Papst fan but it has a low frequency grumbling noise Noiseblocker was much better.

burcakb · Post by **burcakb** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 2:43 pm

I'm running my s754 AMD 3000+ @ 2100 MHz (could try 2200MHz too but I run into problems with my VGA & chipset, no problems with the CPU) with a Zalman 7000B-Cu. See my sig. I used both a fanmate AND an inline resistor. My sensors have gone wacko but I guess the fan is doing 700 rpms or so. CPU is nice & cool at 44C folding in a 25C room ambient. The fan is inaudible, no way you can hear it inside a nice steel case, even if you go fanless with everything else.

Interitus · Post by **Interitus** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 3:19 pm

You may want to look into it, but a lot of people are reporting just as good if not better performance with the XP-90 as opposed to the XP-120. It would make a bit of price difference.

xxkrnxstylezxx · Post by **xxkrnxstylezxx** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 4:06 pm

burcakb

Doesnt the 7000B include the fanmate? Couldn't I just use that to put it in the lowest setting? So you're saying you can't even hear it in your quiet computer? If it's that quiet, I think i'll probably go with the Zalman and save $30

burcakb · Post by **burcakb** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 4:27 pm

Yes, there's an included fanmate. At its lowest setting the fan is very very quiet. However, my system turned out to be really quiet - quiet enough that I could hear the fan if I put my ear to the case

. With an inline resistor added, I can't hear it even with my head inside the case

xxkrnxstylezxx · Post by **xxkrnxstylezxx** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 4:55 pm

what exactly is an inline resistor....is it expensive?

mathias · Post by **mathias** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 7:04 pm

It's a simple electronic component, something that resists current. $3 for four at radio shack here(two 33 ohm ones, and two 100ohm), or you can get a 56 ohm one that won't require any wire cutting with a cheap zalman fan, if you can also get them for around $6. If you get a pack of 33 and 100 ohm ones, I think you'd probably want to use two 100's in parralell for 50 ohms, or two 33's in series for 66.

Post by **NeilBlanchard** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 7:10 pm

Hello:

As long as you are considering the Zalman 7000, the Al/Cu version is just as good as the all-copper version; if not better! And, it is a lot lighter weight (maybe this is why it is better -- it doesn't sag away from full contact?), and it is less money, to boot!

xxkrnxstylezxx · Post by **xxkrnxstylezxx** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 10:08 pm

hm...are you sure the Al/Cu is the same, if not better, as the copper version? I always thought copper absorbed more heat...It's only $10 difference, i'll get which ever one is the best.

haha you totally lost me there mathias. It seems too complicated for me to do...

tay · Post by **tay** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 10:41 pm

http://silentpcreview.com/article194-page3.html

Check the bottom table looking at the zalman al-cu vs the xp-90. As well spcr has reviewed the xp-120, xp-90, 7000cu, 7000al-cu if you go to the cooling section of this very web site.

The al-cu is about 2 degrees warmer than an xp-90 at the same noise level. For the price difference you decide if its worth it or not to you. I imagine the xp-120 is 2 degrees better than the xp-90 in turn (at the same noise level).

I picked up a al-cu 7000B and will report back my results compared to my piddly sk-7 at some point after it gets here. If the xp-90 is more than $20 over the al-cu its a tough call spending the extra money unless you plan on doing something exotic like operate with the fan in pull and a duct to pull air out of the case. The xp-90/120 give you more options with marginally improved performance but theyre useless if you dont use them.

And youre right, dont bother soldering any resistors. The fanmate + cool n quiet should do the trick.

daba · Post by **daba** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 10:41 pm

Can't say much about the XP120 or the Zalman 7700/7000 series, but I have exactly the XP90 + Nexus 92 on my P4 3.0C. I've been very happy with the results since it is not so big that it blocks things, but it is also very quiet with the Nexus, which does a superb job in cooling. I wouldn't try overclocking because it gets pretty hot.

You can take a gander of my setup here: http://forums.silentpcreview.com/viewtopic.php?t=16632

burcakb · Post by **burcakb** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 3:00 am

I got my inline resistors (3 of them) with my Acoustifans and a Zalman fan; they were included. I made my own for my Nexus fans, it's not hard to do.

But before you go around inserting inline resistors, first try out the Zalman 7000B with its own fan with the included fanmate. It's pretty quiet at that level, it might just be enough. Its noise is about the same as a stock Nexus 92mm fan @ 12V. Mine is a case of obsession & exageration

Grubert · Post by **Grubert** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 1:31 am

I'm in a similar dilemma. I can get:

Zalman CNPS7000B-Cu for 52 CHF
Thermalright XP90 with bundled fan for 65-76 CHF
Or even an XP120 with a Papst U-Silent fan for 89 CHF (obviously overkill, I know, but great value for money!)

For reference 1 CHF = 0.828 USD

My planned setup (I'm still thinking it over!) is similar to that of the OP.

frankgehry · Post by **frankgehry** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 5:34 am

I was under the impression that fan swaps are popular with the zalman. I could be wrong, but a nexus 120 is reason enough to get a xp-120. It is big and there are some mainboards that it doesn't fit, but its not much more expensive than the xp-90 and I like to swap fans from time to time. I started with an xp-90, but it makes sense for me to have all 120mm fans. I wish I had just gone for the xp-120 in the first place. On the other hand I realize that there is the additional cost of getting a fan and a heatsink. - FG

m0002a · Post by **m0002a** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 6:08 am

One reason not to get the Thermalright XP-120 is that some samples come with concave bases. This is particularly a problem with large flat heatspreaders like the A64 and P4. Be prepared to buy a lapping kit and spend lots of time sanding the base. Maybe not all samples have this problem, but many reported in this forum do (including mine).

Grubert · Post by **Grubert** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 6:19 am

Uh oh. Doesn't the XP90 suffer from that QC problem?

From what I've read, the XP90 is more than enough for A64 systems anyway, isn't it?

m0002a · Post by **m0002a** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 6:24 am

XP-90 is enough. They both weigh about the same (XP-120 slightly heavier), but the XP-90 is taller and that puts more tourque on the chip, which in theory makes it a little harder to keep the XP-90 tight against the CPU (in a normal tower/mini tower installation).

frankgehry · Post by **frankgehry** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 6:37 am

I was thinking of this thread -

http://forums.silentpcreview.com/viewto ... n+fan+swap

And this one -

http://forums.silentpcreview.com/viewtopic.php?t=20359

If you get a defective heatsink you can always return it. - FG

m0002a · Post by **m0002a** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 7:27 am

frankgehry wrote:If you get a defective heatsink you can always return it. - FG

Based on the number reported incidences of concave XP's, I am not sure I would want to go the RMA route. Unless one is willing to lap the base, or Thermalright fixes this (apparently) pervasive problem, people might want to consider something else.

Considering the cost of the XP-120 (about $68 at Newegg) I think this situation is inexcusable (although Thermalright shows the list price much lower and some retailer are selling it for about $49). A fan (and possibly speed controller) is extra.

frankgehry · Post by **frankgehry** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 7:51 am

m,

You keep referring to the number of defective thermalrights. You need to support your claims with facts. You can purchase the xp-120 at jab-tech for $48.00, but you quote newegg. Newegg has always had the most expensive prices for xp-120's. Sidewindercomputers has xp-120's for $49. I've made a number of purchases there so I'm sure if there was some kind of defect they would replace it. Your solution is to lap it. You really don't want to do that. In other cases where products seem to have a high number of defects like the antec phantom, it is noted and looked into by spcr. You're arguments are just not very credible. - FG

m0002a · Post by **m0002a** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 8:15 am

frankgehry wrote:m,

You keep referring to the number of defective thermalrights. You need to support your claims with facts. You can purchase the xp-120 at jab-tech for $48.00, but you quote newegg. Newegg has always had the most expensive prices for xp-120's. Sidewindercomputers has xp-120's for $49. I've made a number of purchases there so I'm sure if there was some kind of defect they would replace it. Your solution is to lap it. You really don't want to do that. In other cases where products seem to have a high number of defects like the antec phantom, it is noted and looked into by spcr. You're arguments are just not very credible. - FG

Perhaps you didn't read my post carefully.

I said that there have been other reports of the XP concave base in this forum, and that the problem is "apparently" pervasive. When I use the term "apparently" that means I have no objective statistical data. However, I don't know how one would gather such data even if the problem was in fact pervasive.

I never used the term “defective.” There is a difference between a defective PSU (which is dead or does not output the proper amount of power) and a heatsink that is subjectively not flat on the base. I am not sure I would call the later a defect, rather it may just be poor manufacturing technique that was employed for all units manufactured. This is especially true when a large number of units seem to have the same problem.

Regarding the price, I rather clearly mentioned that Thermalright shows the list price to be about $49 and that other retailers are selling it for a lot less than Newegg. Initially these may have been in short supply and/or not as many retailers carried it as do now. Or maybe Thermalright has recently adjusted the prices to make room for the new Cu versions. I don't really know. But your comments on the price do not contradict nor do they add anything to what I already said.

Even at $49, I would not have purchased the XP-120 had I known about the problems with the base. Hopefully they will improve their manufacturing process, and then I will gladly retract my recommendations.

as530 · Post by **as530** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:20 am

hello people

I'd just like to add that if the original poster is talking about a Winchester 3000+, with CnQ enabled, and in an environment with reasonable ambient temps, then he may be able to use an XP-120 fanless, as has been done by both Ed Ng and myself.[/url]

RonG · Post by **RonG** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 2:37 pm

I'm using a Zalman 7700 AlCu, without the fan but ducted to a 140mm exhaust fan running at 960 rpm, and it seems to be doing a good job.
Room temperature is 26C, MB 35C, CPU 36C while running browser, bitcomet, filemanager.
When I play a game the temp goes up to 45C.

XP-120 , XP-90, or Zalman 7000B-cu??

XP-120 , XP-90, or Zalman 7000B-cu??

the aluminum/copper Zalman is just as good

zalman fan swaps

zalman fan swaps

Re: zalman fan swaps

How many?

Re: How many?