Why are the Dr.Thermal TI-R8639L P4 coolers so unpopular?

[vulcan5d]

I'm reading up on a lot of cooler reviews so I can find the right cooler for my new P4 2.26Ghz. I may have found it, the Dr.Thermal TI-R8639L, but the lack of popularity for this cooler concerns me.

From what I'm seeing it's one of the best performers, quiet when compared to others (not stock), and cheap! What more can one ask from a cooler? It runs at 34dBa, and carries a price tag of $27CDN. For temps check this, http://www.tweakers.com.au/articles/cooling/478_roundup/page5.asp

Looks like it has the best performance/noise/cost ratio, so what's keeping it from being #1? Of course there are better coolers. Sticking on a giant heatsink with a 60dBA fan will give better results, but paying over $100CDN for something that will blow your head off doesn't sound practical to me ;).

I'm guessing since the stock heatsink/fan will allow a P4 2.26Ghz to go as high as 2.7Ghz, I should have no problems going over 2.8Ghz with nice temps. Why no higher you ask? The Asus P4S533's max FSB is 166, so 17x166=2822mhz. So what do you guys think of this cooler? Why are these coolers so unpopular, short life, flaws or something?

[mjones73]

They stated the following in the review you posted.

Although the Dr. Thermal TI-R8639L was one of the noisier models tested, it proved to be one of the best performers. The stable temperature recorded was 38.6C, while the average sound level was measured at 72dB.

I think you misread the sound level, that's very loud.

If you want quiet the Alpha with a lower speed fan is the way to go. You can get one with a Panflo fan for $47US dollars, that shouldn't be anywhere near 100 in canadian dollars.

[Silversinksam]

I can tell you for a fact the Thermalright AX-478 doesnt cost $100(Can) and is superior to every heatsink in that roundup.


Furthermore, the Dr.Thermal is nothing other than an AVC Sunflower Clone.....It is a decent heatsink but it doesnt have anything on the Ax-478 or Volcano 7+

Plus the Fan on the Dr Thermal is annoying as it omits a high pitched sound.....I know I had a AVC Sunflower there are better choices

Just refer to the heatsink
Database (http://www.overclockers.com/articles373/)


AVC Sunflower
http://www.overclockers.com/articles523/sun1.jpg


Dr.Thermal TI-R8639L

http://www.tweakers.com.au/articles/cooling/478_roundup/drthermal4_t.jpg

http://www.tweakers.com.au/articles/cooling/478_roundup/drthermal1_t.jpg


Now you tell me thats not an AVC sunflower clone ;)

[masitti]

Originally posted by mjones73
They stated the following in the review you posted.

Although the Dr. Thermal TI-R8639L was one of the noisier models tested, it proved to be one of the best performers. The stable temperature recorded was 38.6C, while the average sound level was measured at 72dB.

I think you misread the sound level, that's very loud.

If you want quiet the Alpha with a lower speed fan is the way to go. You can get one with a Panflo fan for $47US dollars, that shouldn't be anywhere near 100 in canadian dollars.

omg, 72 dB!? That makes a Delta appear quiet... :p

[HaywirE]

Lol.. i dont even know where to get one.

I Typed it into the Pricewatch.Com database when it was rated the best, and nothing came up.



Yeah, if its economical and gives good cooling, fine.

Even though i've posted rants about cooling, bl3h.

Retail is good.

:rolleyes:

[Dance4Me]

Something interresting about that site, arn't all the noise levels a little high? Check the next page after the temp diagram, http://www.tweakers.com.au/articles/cooling/478_roundup/page6.asp

I don't know about you, but I never seen a fan with a rating of 80+dBa :). That volcano 7+ is suppose to be 37dBA at most. Did they measure the sounds differently.

The way they measured it, the DR. Thermal is quieter than the volcano 7+. I find the Volcan 7+ a little loud but I can stand it, the Dr. Thermal one seems to have about the same performance with less noise. I can dig it :).