Similar question to Trav's... need Quiet HSF but can spend more

[bluesfusion]

Ok I am thinking of getting an AXP around 1900+ or 2000+ in the next couple of weeks if possible to go with my just ordered Shuttle AK35 GTR mobo. Now I have a Delta 38cfm fan lying around which I ripped off my old Vantec HSF cause the whine was driving me nuts! I modded up an ordinary 80mm "case fan" on the Vantec HSF by the way... cools my o/c Duron 750@900 very well indeed, but I doubt it'll be enough for an AXP 2000+

I forget now what the dB level was for the Delta 38 but I need something really quiet or I can't sleep at night. So a Delta or similarly noisy fan is out of the question. Everybody told Trav that the Panaflo didn't have the whine, but is it quiet as well? The Panaflo is an 80mm fan right? How loud does it sound compared to, say, an 80mm case fan?

Also, I've heard about the Thermalright SK6 and AX7 which is supposed to be better. But the SK6 is copper and the AX7 is Aluminum... so how come the Aluminum one is better than the copper one? And using either of the above 2 heatsinks, how much air-flow will be needed?

Which is the quietest HSF out there right now which will get the job done and still fit properly on the Shuttle mobo? I don't plan on o/c this comp, but I may end up bumping it up just a little if I get real bored someday.

And uh... I don't want water or peltiers or any of that hi-fi stuff.

[AzN_GaMeR]

Originally posted by bluesfusion

Also, I've heard about the Thermalright SK6 and AX7 which is supposed to be better. But the SK6 is copper and the AX7 is Aluminum... so how come the Aluminum one is better than the copper one? And using either of the above 2 heatsinks, how much air-flow will be needed?

um...the ax-7 is not all aluminum but it has a copper block on the bottom.

i would get the alpha because it has better quality and it can cool better with lower rpm fans. but if ur going to use a high speed fan, or if the alpha doesnt fit, get the ax-7.

[mystifmagic]

This is my favorite for a nearly silent cooling solution;

http://2cooltek.safeshopper.com/32/275.htm?77

or this for a big more performance while still being very quiet;

http://2cooltek.safeshopper.com/32/296.htm?77

Good Luck

[Paladyr]

Just FYI. I have this board and some older Heatsinks might not fit over the socket. I have a swiftech MC-370 that I am filing down at the moment to get it to fit.

OCZ gladiators are good solution. I also like swiftech's very much. I really want one of their heatsinks with a copper base.

www.sidewindercomputers.com lets you actually listen to each of the fans. You can purchase the bare heatsink there and then just buy whatever fan you want based on how quiet it was. I found that the Thermaltake fan was the quitest while still being able to blow enough air to keep the Heatsink cool.

Also: My case helps dampen the sounds of the fans a lot also. I have an Antec SX-1040B.

[ZhaoYun]

I suggest the AX 7 w/Panaflo model: FBA08A12U, cuz it cools great at a decent noise level without the whine the Deltas have.

[AMD Soldier]

Well I got a AX-7 with a relatively weak Panaflo 80mm fan. I haven't lapped it nor put any thermal paste on the die. At full load my Duron 1ghz @ 1.35ghz with 1.95 of voltage gets 44C!

Thats very impressive for me! This combo cost me $40 shipped, not bad. ($34 AX-7, $6 for 28cfm Panaflo 80mm fan)


Now during next week I will have some time to lap the HS and apply some AS2, I'm hoping for a 5-8C improvement in my temps. Guys think that is reasonable?

[ZhaoYun]

Originally posted by AMD Soldier
Well I got a AX-7 with a relatively weak Panaflo 80mm fan. I haven't lapped it nor put any thermal paste on the die. At full load my Duron 1ghz @ 1.35ghz with 1.95 of voltage gets 44C!

Thats very impressive for me! This combo cost me $40 shipped, not bad. ($34 AX-7, $6 for 28cfm Panaflo 80mm fan)


Now during next week I will have some time to lap the HS and apply some AS2, I'm hoping for a 5-8C improvement in my temps. Guys think that is reasonable?

Sure, I foresee a 5-6C drop afterwards cuz lapping decreases temps by 2-3C while AS2 can decrease 2-7C. Although, it's the weak Panaflo which will really determine if your temps go down as intended. Good luck.