Quiet HSF combo under 140-150mm tall?

miztahsparklez · Post by **miztahsparklez** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 1:09 am

Alright, i have a Silverstone LC16 Case, and i recently purchased an Intel 6600. Im still in the process of finalizing my system, but i think i narrowed down my motherboards to asus boards p5n32 premium or p5b deluxe.

I would like to keep the noise down as much as possible, since it is a HTPC. I was looking at Thermalrights SI-128 paired with a yate loon low speed fan and perhaps silverstones line of HSF's. Zalman came into the picture, but i dont think it will offer the performance that im looking for.

Any ideas on what i can do to limit the noise of my system, but still keep it cool?

There is a spot for an 80mm fan right next to what would be the CPU socket, as well as two 80mm exhaust fans 90 degrees from that.

Powersupply is on the opposite side, and has its own intake hole for the fan.

Natronomonas · Post by **Natronomonas** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 8:56 pm

Scythe Samurai Z?
It's reviewed here at SPCR.

I grabbed one for a height-limited setup, and it's a bit loud at 12v but you don't have to drop the voltage too much before it's acceptably quiet.

Cooling is fine on an e4300 at stock, and decent when o/c.

It's not in the same class as infinity/ninja, more midrange, but when you've space limitations, you've got to accept that.

The other thing I like about it is the fan is easy to swap if you want (although I didn't, just put a fanmate in there to slow it down a bit).

I think it's about 100-120mm tall all up (haven't got the specs to hand, sorry).

edit: The Thermalright will probably offer superior performance if it fits OK. I couldn't even consider the zalmans as the diameter was too large. I think the thermalright end up being a bit tall with fan included, although your setup might have more space. Hope it goes OK!

miztahsparklez · Post by **miztahsparklez** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 4:42 am

i think i remember all the scythes were mostly too tall.

how much space should be in front of a fan for it to be effective?

i also contemplated modding the case to fit a 120mm fan on the side adjacent to the two stock 80mm fans. Perhaps blowing in and using the silverstone cooler that has the heatpipes and heatsink fins 90 degrees from the cpu.

angelkiller · Post by **angelkiller** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 7:19 am

Have you seen Thermalright coolers? They tend to be short, and cool really well. I'd go with the SI-128.

thejamppa · Post by **thejamppa** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 8:30 am

I suggest Zalman 7000 or 7700-series coolers. If they are not good, then thermalright SL-128 might be thing for you. although with fan it intends to get bit high.

then ZEROtherms CF-800 or CF-900 series might suited for you as you use LGA-775. (800 is lighter aluminium version and CF900 is full copper )
http://www.zerotherm.net/eng/product/CF900.asp

Natronomonas · Post by **Natronomonas** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:59 pm

I'd want to leave at least an inch or two (2.5-5cm) if at all possible above the fan.

aljordan · Post by **aljordan** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:55 am

I own a Silverstone GD-01MX, which looks to be about the same size as the LC-16 case. I am using a Thermalright XP90-C, but it requires a special adapter bracket to work with the 775 sockets. I would have chosen the Thermalright XP120, but it would not work with my motherboard.

My motherboard allows me to control the voltage to three system fans, and I found I had to slow down the 80 mm case fans and the CPU fan to get the case quiet. I also put in a 80 mm intake fan on the side, but it did not seem to do much in terms of cooling the system.

I will probably change to a a modular PSU because I think the extra cables are messing with the airflow. I will probably also replace the stock case fans with Nexus fans to see if they are any more quiet.

I am planning on buying a new motherboard with an E6600 chip for use in this case so I would like to know how things work out for you.

miztahsparklez · Post by **miztahsparklez** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:04 pm

hmm i think im goign to try the xp120 since its only 60mm tall plus fan which is only 85ish. so it should clear fine. hopefully it clears everything else...

if i did get the SI-128.. it would only leave 20mm above the fan about. which probably isnt a good idea....

who knew picking a cooler was so complicated.

oakdad · Post by **oakdad** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:15 pm

Perhaps you could use
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835186134

Bluefront · Post by **Bluefront** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 2:41 am

The XP-120 is the best really short heatsink....if you can get it to fit. The heatpipes cause all sorts of clearance problems, including having to remove the heatsink to change ram on some boards. Heatsinks like this one have a big off-set to one side. This gives you even fewer installation options. Nice heatsink......problematic install.

miztahsparklez · Post by **miztahsparklez** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 4:38 am

oakdad - is there any more info on that heatsink? looks kinda neat.

anyone know if the XP-120 fits an asus p5b deluxe - wifi or an asus p5n32 premium - wifi?

Tephras · Post by **Tephras** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 7:43 am

miztahsparklez wrote:is there any more info on that heatsink? looks kinda neat.

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro

oakdad · Post by **oakdad** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 5:34 am

They did a review of it here
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article285-page1.html