Choosing the correct cooler

[DarkTyrian]

Hi guys,

I'm building my first comp and I need a little help and guidance on choosing the correct pieces. I think I've gone a good job so far, but am a little confused about the cpu cooler. Is it suppose to be compatible with the cpu or the mobo? Below I will post my proposed setup, if you could give me some suggestions on cpu coolers that will surely fit that would be very helpful.


Thermaltake VA3000 Dream Tower http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-133-132&depa=0
AMD Socket 939 Athlon 64 3500+, 90nm, 2.2 GHz, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - OEM (Winchester Core) http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-494&depa=0
CHAINTECH NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-152-049&depa=1
MSI nVIDIA GeForce 6600GT http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-127-147&depa=0
PDP SYSTEMS Memory Dual Channel Kit 184-Pin 1GB (512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-220-006&depa=0



So based on that setup what are my options in the line of cpu coolers. I'm not looking for water cooling since it's a little expensive so if you could keep it to regular heatsinks and fans that would be great. Please do not post about coolers that will require me to modify my mobo, cpu, or case. If you know of a cooler that will fit than please let me know. Very Happy

Thanks for your help

 

[templarknightx]

I'm personally thinking of a very similar system, so I've done some research on this too.

I would get the Zalman 7000B AlCu (92mm with no led), but other highly regarded choices would be the copper version of the 7000B, Zalman's 120mm 7700, and Thermalright's xp90 and xp120 (last two quite pricey and include no fan, but really good)

 

[CastleBravo]

In order of best cooling:

XP-120 with good fan
XP-90 with good fan
Zalman 7700 Cu
Zalman 7700 AlCu
Zalman 7000 Cu
Zalman 7000 AlCu

Solid copper is better than copper/aluminum combos, but the XP-120 and XP-90 have huge fin surface area and heatpipes to put them over the top.

In order of most likely to actually fit:

Zalman 7000 series
XP-90
XP-120
Zalman 7700 series (XP-120 is huge, but the 7700 spreads out closer to surface of motherboard, so is more likey to hit things generally)

In order of best noise/cooling combination

XP-120
7700 series
XP-90
Zalman 7000 series

Bigger fans are always better than smaller ones, at low speed they move more air and are quieter, and at high speed their airflow is unbeatable by smaller fans.

The 7000B AlCu is about as handy as can be, quiet and fits pretty much everything, and LED versions look neat. XP-90 should perform better, but costs more and you have to get your own fan for it. XP-120 with good 120mm fan is pretty much the best you can do on air, not that the 7700 series is bad by any stretch.

 

[MaMMa]

www.thermalright.com for compatibility chart

 

[DarkTyrian]

Thanks for your help guys.