HSF Recommendations

[JohnSearle]

Looking for a recommendation for a heatsink fan...

System is going to have E7200 CPU on a GA EP45-DS3L ATX Mobo. The purpose of removing the stock was to get something as silent as possible for under $35, preferably under $25. So I'm not really interested in overclocking this.

Any suggestions on a relatively inexpensive quiet HSF?

Thanks,

- John

 

[ATLPIMP]

Do you think the stock cooler is loud?

 

[GJSNeptune]

You might be able to find a Xigmatek HDT-S1283 for under $20 after rebate. They should be $30-35 before rebate. The pushpin kit it comes with isn't as bad as some people say. I'm using the pushpins until a bolt kit arrives.

 

[JohnSearle]

You might be able to find a Xigmatek HDT-S1283 for under $20 after rebate. They should be $30-35 before rebate. The pushpin kit it comes with isn't as bad as some people say. I'm using the pushpins until a bolt kit arrives.

Alright, I'll take a look into that.

Do you think the stock cooler is loud?

I don't have an E7200 in my possession just yet, but any stock HSF I've ever listened to has been pretty loud. Preferably I would like my computer to have no sound at all (aside from speakers, etc.), so I'm making that a point of purchase this time around.

- John

 

[GJSNeptune]

Stock HSFs have improved over the years. They're really not too bad, but we at [H] like aftermarket stuff. Most of us buy OEM CPUs anyway.

I have a Tuniq Tower 120 for my Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Black Edition in my previous rig. Right now I'm running an E8400 with the Xigmatek I mentioned.

 

[Reza]

My votes for the Sunbeam CCF.

 

[ATLPIMP]

Alright, I'll take a look into that.



I don't have an E7200 in my possession just yet, but any stock HSF I've ever listened to has been pretty loud. Preferably I would like my computer to have no sound at all (aside from speakers, etc.), so I'm making that a point of purchase this time around.

- John

Intel heatsinks are quiet. Quiet enough to be in use in big name retail pcs.

If you're not overclocking you'll be fine with Intel. However, if you invest in a nice aftermarket (TRUE, Noctua, etc...) heat sink you should be fine passive even.

 

[armyoffoo]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

 

[JohnSearle]

Intel heatsinks are quiet. Quiet enough to be in use in big name retail pcs.

Actually, just found an article that shows a comparison chart that includes a few HSF, including the Intel stock.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article285-page5.html

At 12V the Intel stock runs with 34dBA, Scythe Ninja at 23dBA, and Thermalright at 23dBA.

Or better yet, giving CPU temp as the relative comparison:

Intel Stock (52c) - 34dBA
Scythe Ninja (50c) - < 17 dBA
Thermalright (53c) - 18dBA
Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro (53c) - 20dBA

---

So you're talking about 14 - 17dBA difference between stock HSF and aftermarket. I consider that a significant difference.

- John

 

[echn111]

Intel stock heatsinks are NOT quiet.

For quiet heatsinks look at this table.

I have the Thermalright HR-01 Plus running semi-passive, meaning with no fan attached and only using case airflow (focused case airflow using a duct), for my overclocked i7 920.

 

[smphoto]

I can vouch for the xigmatek. I didnt even plug the fan into the cpu_fan port- straight to the psu and its still super quiet. The loudest thing in my case is the video card.

 

[JohnSearle]

For quiet heatsinks look at this table.

Nice. Thanks.

- John

 

[ATLPIMP]

Actually, just found an article that shows a comparison chart that includes a few HSF, including the Intel stock.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article285-page5.html

At 12V the Intel stock runs with 34dBA, Scythe Ninja at 23dBA, and Thermalright at 23dBA.

Or better yet, giving CPU temp as the relative comparison:

Intel Stock (52c) - 34dBA
Scythe Ninja (50c) - < 17 dBA
Thermalright (53c) - 18dBA
Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro (53c) - 20dBA

---

So you're talking about 14 - 17dBA difference between stock HSF and aftermarket. I consider that a significant difference.

- John

OK, that seems to be a pretty reputable site, so I'll consider that accurate information.

First thing that I realize, is fan noise rated at 12V. The Intel heat sink that came with my Q6600 has a PWM fan. The fans speed can be directly controlled through the BIOS and monitoring programs through Windows. In all the time I've used the OEM heat sink, I've always turned the fan down to ~70%, where it really does become quite quiet (Not SILENT). There are, of course quieter fans that can move more air, due to the fan's dimensions, but the Intel solution is fine for computing at rated speeds - that's what it's designed to do.

Now, you may be familiar with how sound is measured, but in short; a decibel increase of 10dba from 20dba to 30dba is a MUCH less noticeable increase of sound intensity, than a 10dba increase from 120dba to 130dba. With that in mind, I don't think even I would notice a difference of the sound intensity, comparing the Intel heat sink and the Freezer 7 Pro, while it's operating with the case closed and ~3 ft. away from you.

In the end, it's obdviously your call - I'm only trying help.

 

[JohnSearle]

Now, you may be familiar with how sound is measured, but in short; a decibel increase of 10dba from 20dba to 30dba is a MUCH less noticeable increase of sound intensity, than a 10dba increase from 120dba to 130dba. With that in mind, I don't think even I would notice a difference of the sound intensity, comparing the Intel heat sink and the Freezer 7 Pro, while it's operating with the case closed and ~3 ft. away from you.

In the end, it's obdviously your call - I'm only trying help.

Well most sites I've found have been stating that there is a significant difference in perceptible sound between 15 and 40dBA... 30-40 looks like a quiet conversation, whereas 10-20 is close to imperceptible (ticking of a watch at best).

In any case, I don't like the volume of the stock HSF's I've seen, so I'm looking to try my hand at the silent ones.

Thanks, though