Need advice on A64 CPU and nForce4 chipset coolers

[Lenny]

I'm going to be moving into a new case soon so I thought I'd take the opportunity to replace the stock nForce4 chipset HSF currently on my Chaintech VNF4 board (it's louder than I prefer) and maybe replace the stock AMD HSF on my A64 3000+ running at 2.35Ghz and 1.6v (old Winchester needs a lot of volts to get anywhere) although I already find the AMD cooler to be a relatively quiet and a decent performer. I like quiet systems so low noise is a must. Not looking to spend a lot on these. I just need as close to silent operation as possible and good (doesn't need to be the best) performance.

Can I get a chipset cooler for around $20 and a CPU cooler for around $30 or so which meets my requirements?
What would you recommend?

Btw since I'm looking for low noise is a passive chipset cooler an option? Keep in mind that I overclock and my HTT is currently running around 265 which I understand makes the chipset run hotter.

TIA for your suggestions

[cwolv]

lap the AMD cooler and slap this on the southbridge (with or without the fan).

you have the aluminum cooler right? mine was very un-flat on the bottom, and not real smoooth either. had a brushed look to it. i used a mirror, lots of water, 600, 800 then 1500 grit followed by plain white toothpaste. 5-6c lower if i recall correctly.

[Lenny]

The AMD cooler has the thermal pad on it. I'm just using it like that. Like I said it works ok and is already relatively quiet. I was just wondering if I could do better without spending a lot of money.

[cwolv]

oh my! you need some as5 and a lap-job stat!

edit:

"M" has a most excellent lapping how to here

[_dangtx_]

hmm..you could just replace the fan or take it out and have a 60mm on at an angle.try for a fan that u can contro lthe speed tru the mobo or stick it in a fan controller. the vantec is not that quiet

[zerocool24]

for the cpu the arctic cooling freezer 64 pro is excellent, in canada it is about 30 bucks, so maybe 20-25 us, very quiet, and cools very well, i have one on my 939 x2 and my am2 x2.

[UncleBob]

Lenny, good to hear you round!

Take a look at this for the Northbrige. Awesome super quiet passive cooling!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835109131

I agree on the AC Freezer 64:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185125

But if you want to save money, the Alpine is very reasonable (<$10!)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186009

[_dangtx_]

ub,with that freezer u got me thinking. how about he uses an opty hs? if he keeps teh fan to 65-75% itll be fairly quiet.ive seen a couple going for 15 shipped in the fs forums,be it here or anand.
that tr is a beast,but because of its size may cause issues.he could also try one of the zalman passive ones,but hell need a fan close by as its good but not that good entirely passive for teh nf4 chipset.
also,i forgot,at 250htt it wont toast that much.they usually start to roast beyond 350.
dan

[trodas]

Another vote for the Thermalright HR-05-SLI Copper Heatsink
It is a defnitively good way to quiet the noisy DFI little fan for sure

[Lenny]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not really all that interested in lapping. I just want a decent cooler that works.

Regarding the HR-05-SLI I'm going to have Antec tricools set on low (80mm in front and 120mm in rear) along with the variable 120mm in my Fortron 500w Blue Storm. I'm assuming that will provide adequate airflow for a passive cooler? I just can't forgot a site that reviewed an early version of my Chaintech board which only had passive chipset cooling and when they overclocked (don't remember what HTT) they literally fried the chipset!! UB, you remember that one? So which I'm very interested in passive cooling I'm a little cautious.

And about the Freezer 64 Pro - that seems like a good cooler but I noticed the fan is mounted on the side blowing across. Look at my new case. It has a CPU duct on the side panel. With that design it seems like I would want a top mounted fan so it would be directly below the CPU duct to get the most fresh air. What do you think?

[zerocool24]

ok then the freezer 64 may not be so good, it is reccomended that you have a fan behind it (at the back of the case) to help pull the heat out.

[Lenny]

ok then the freezer 64 may not be so good, it is reccomended that you have a fan behind it (at the back of the case) to help pull the heat out.

Well the rear 120mm would meet that recommendation but it seems like the side panel CPU duct wouldn't work properly to supply fresh air to the Freezer 64 Pro.

[Lenny]

Lenny, good to hear you round!

Take a look at this for the Northbrige. Awesome super quiet passive cooling!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835109131

I agree on the AC Freezer 64:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185125

But if you want to save money, the Alpine is very reasonable (<$10!)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186009

Hey UB. As you can tell my VNF4 is still going strong

The Alpine7 didn't get very good user reviews but what about the Alpine64? Even though the specs looks very similar to the Alpine7 and the price is the same at $10 users seem much happier with it. I think the fan runs at a constant 2000 rpm but users still say it's quiet. It has a top mounted fan so it would work properly with the CPU duct in the new case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186010

UB, are you running any Zalman coolers on your VNF4? I'm just wondering if they will fit on the VNF4. I have a Zalman cooler on one of my video cards and I really like it. Not as cheap as the others but I noticed the Zalman CNPS7700-CU 120mm for $35 ($15 off)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118115

Cheapest cooler they make is the Zalman CNPS7700-ALCU 120mm for $29.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118114

The CPNP7000B-ALCU is a smaller 92mm version for $30.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118112

[UncleBob]

Hi Lenny. You can mount the freezer 2 ways and I personally think the ducting would work fine.

I use this SZalman on 2 VNF4's

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118003

For best bang 4 the buck, I have some high end AMD heatpipe coolers that come stock with the 500X2 and high end Opterons as well. They are great. Compact and fine if you aren't heavily overclocking anything.

The TT passive can have a fan installed if needed. It just has a great surface area to footprint ratio, imho.

Of your choices, the Zalman CNPS7000-CU 120mm wins me. I have used many of them. The Alpine64 is what I meant to reference, btw. I love that they have 5 year warranties on their fans. Super quiet!

Other chipset choices:
This is, bang 4 buck, hands down, my favorite:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835108072
just not cheap @ $35
Another fanless but quite capable cooler:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835701003

IMHO? Fanless coolers would be fine for your app. You will need ample air movement in/through the case already.

[Lenny]

UB, have you ever had a Zalman CNPS7700-CU 120mm on your VNF4? I thought you posted pics in Chaintech long ago but maybe that was something else. I need to be sure that it will fit on the VNF4.

I'm leaning towards either the Zalman CNPS7700-CU 120mm or the Alpine64 for the CPU. I really want a cooler with a top mounted fan so I can get maximum benefit from the CPU duct.

The TT HR-05-SLI sounds like an excellent performer for a passive chipset cooler. Some users complain of fit problems in their case but otherwise it seems good. I don't want to spend more than that ($17) for a chipset cooler.