Good Silent CPU Heatsinks (to grow into)

[fxscreamer]

I'm currently using a CoolerMaster V8 on my Core i7 920, and it's been decent, but I know there are better heatsinks that cool better AND are quieter. Quietness is a HUGE factor, since I'm on an endless quest to making a high-performance silent PC. Since my socket is 1366, I plan on doing another build in around a year to the 2011 socket. Whatever heatsink I get must be compatible to the next, which I know there are.

I've looked at Noctua quite a bit, and I know the D-14 is amazing, but LORD it's huge. So huge it blocks my ram extensively, and will do even more so on a 2011 socket board with 8 DIMM slots.

Does anyone have experience with the Noctua NH-U12P SE2? It looks like the compromise being a little smaller, and is actually a bit lower db noise. With my CM V8, I currently have a 1ghz overclock on my 920 (3.6ghz). I'm wanting super quiet, super cool.

NH-U12P SE2 or D-14, or is another amazing one that has the same features?

I was also curious of good super quiet (inaudible) 120mm case fans if anyone has suggestions on those. I'm currently using a Fractal Design R3 case with two 120mm fans that came with it.

[AMDScooter]

I would not sweat ram clearance issues too much. It's getting cheap as dirt and low profile stuff is pretty easy to get.

[fxscreamer]

I would not sweat ram clearance issues too much. It's getting cheap as dirt and low profile stuff is pretty easy to get.

I understand that. I thought the U12 would be a good one because it's actually quieter than the D-14, and still cools fairly well (not as well as the D-14 though). As long as I can hit good overclocks, it's insanely quiet, and doesn't invade the entire inside of my case....that's what I'm after.

When I go 2011 socket, I imagine I'll use the G.Skill Ares low profile performance ram. (32GB to be exact....LOL...I do audio workstation stuff as well as gaming).

[AMDScooter]

I understand that. I thought the U12 would be a good one because it's actually quieter than the D-14, and still cools fairly well (not as well as the D-14 though). As long as I can hit good overclocks, it's insanely quiet, and doesn't invade the entire inside of my case....that's what I'm after.

When I go 2011 socket, I imagine I'll use the G.Skill Ares low profile performance ram. (32GB to be exact....LOL...I do audio workstation stuff as well as gaming).

I was wondering why socket 2011. Quad channel RAM if you need it is as good a reason as any. I've got 16GB of Corsair Vengence low profile in my rig right now. It's reasonably fast with no stability issues. But.. I also have 8GB of Corsair Dominator GT (4x2GB) sitting on the shelf collecting dust that I might just pop back in my rig. It runs at 7-7-7-20-1t all day and nite at 1.65v. Hurts how fast that ram is. I got a screaming deal on the 16GB.. that's the only reason I put it in. I've never even seen anywhere near 1/2 of that used.

Back to the topic at hand. If I were looking for quite and performance I'd be thinking water. A good size radiator with some low speed high pressure fans would do you up nicely.

[fxscreamer]

Thanks.........so um....about those heatsinks? I have yet to get an answer remotely close to what I asked.

[AMDScooter]

Thanks.........so um....about those heatsinks? I have yet to get an answer remotely close to what I asked.

Ya.. I know. Personally I like a good downdraft as they cool the area around the socket as well. SI-128SE is older but does a great job when paired with a good high pressure fan. Super quiet & super cool simply is not going to happen with air. You sacrifice for one or the other. The newer heatsinks are getting a lot bigger but are still anchored (cooling performance wise) to the fan noise you are willing to tolerate. You can probably get the same performance of the newer more expensive coolers for the price of a few new fans. Adding a zillion heatpipes and stuffing a tonne of fins into a case can only get you so far.

GL

[richardd43]

http://www.guru3d.com/article/zalman...xtreme-review/

It is big but it gets the job done and quietly unless you OC to the max and have to put the fan on high.

Also, if you read through the review it shows you how it stacks up against some other coolers.

But, you really need to install the memory before you mount it.

[fxscreamer]

It is big but it gets the job done and quietly unless you OC to the max and have to put the fan on high.

Also, if you read through the review it shows you how it stacks up against some other coolers.

But, you really need to install the memory before you mount it.

Hmmm, that's an interesting heatsink. It certainly looks cool, and isn't a horrendous huge atrocity. It's showing it can be quieter than the D-14, but at what cooling rate?...especially if you're OC'd. I think the U12 has a dba rating between 12db and 20db, which is insanely quiet. The Zalman runs in the mid 30's, mid 20's at best.

[richardd43]

Unfortunately I am very hard of hearing so am not a real good judge of what is or is not quiet.

I am clocked up to 4.2G and have the fan on auto and it keeps the CPU in a temp range I am happy with.

And I am not trying to sell you the cooler am just stating I am happy with it.

[EH100501AC]

If you were looking at the Noctua D14 then why not consider getting into the H100. IIRC, they're around the same price range (maybe $10-20 for the H100 depending where you look).

With that, you won't need to worry about memory clearance issues if your case can handle a 240mm radiator.

[fxscreamer]

If you were looking at the Noctua D14 then why not consider getting into the H100. IIRC, they're around the same price range (maybe $10-20 for the H100 depending where you look).

With that, you won't need to worry about memory clearance issues if your case can handle a 240mm radiator.

I'm not worried about clearance issues. It's just the D-14 is HUGE. I already have a friend with my same case using one, and it works fine. I'm worried about liquid cooling solutions, considering the horror stories I've heard of leaks and destroying computer equipment. Also, I'm pretty sure the H100 will not fit in my case.

[richardd43]

Also, I'm pretty sure the H100 will not fit in my case

Your case has 2 120/140 mm fan openings on the top. The H100 should bolt right in.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/corsair-h100-review/

[EH100501AC]

If you say the Noctua is huge and that it blocks your memory slots then that's considered a clearance issue.

[fxscreamer]

If you say the Noctua is huge and that it blocks your memory slots then that's considered a clearance issue.

When I say blocks, I'm meaning that I can't even access the ram. I have to remove the heatsink just to get to it. The D-14 will absolutely fit my case though. And if ram height is an issue, just get some G.Skill Ares low profile ram.

[EH100501AC]

Ok, so what have you decided on getting?