What CPU fan should I get?

[Chris_F]

I'm building a PC with a 2.4 or 2.6GHz P4. I plan on trying to OC to at least 3.4GHz. I want to get the coldest temps I can get on air.

I was looking a V 7+, are they any good? I've heard they're loud.

I want to know the best of the silent, along with the best of the loud.

Thanks

[q149]

SLK-900u or the Zalman called 7000 or somethin like that

[NcBaller1985]

Smart Fan 2 is the best of both world's. Vantec Tornado sounds like vacuum cleaner. Go with smart fan 2

[NcBaller1985]

I thought he said CPU FAN. All well. If you are talking about heatsink then, yeah SLK-900 or Swiftech MX4000. I have a MX4000 and it works awsome.

[Chris_F]

Sorry, I ment both a heatsink and a cpu fan.

[NcBaller1985]

Oh, I got yeah. Swiftech MX4000 with a smart fan 2. Works best for me. I also have one of those Thermaltake Ducting mods. :)

[Chris_F]

I wasn't sure if I wanted a smart fan 2. How good are they? I want the best cooling I can get with air.

The reason I wasn't sure about a smart fan is because I was thinking about hooking the cpu fan up to a baybus.

[NcBaller1985]

Well.....The SF 2 are the best CPU fan that you can get that balance sound and quality airflow. It all depends on how much noise you will put up with????????????

[GLB420]

Check out the heatsink ratings at overclockers.com.


http://www.overclockers.com/articles373/

[7h3r4py]

Originally posted by NcBaller1985
Well.....The SF 2 are the best CPU fan that you can get that balance sound and quality airflow. It all depends on how much noise you will put up with????????????

Wouldn't a Tornado connected to a fan controller be better and the same price, if not cheaper?

[Gautam]

I would strongly consider the Zalman CNPS 7000 Cu. It ranks very high on the line up at the first page, but in reality would only differ by a couple of degrees, and certainly provide better performance for the noise level. This (http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=204813&highlight=Zalman+SLK%2A) shows how strongly it performs.

[Chris_F]

I think I'm going with the CNPS 7000 Cu.

Another question. Will mounting a case fan above it help it cool more?

[sman789]

^^you mean on the center of the HS or using the zalman bracket the holds a fan above the whole MOBO?

the 7000 comes with a sufficient fan...i'm happy with it

[Chris_F]

I meant putting a fan on the side of my case, located above (or near) the heatsink and fan. That way outside air is blow down on the heatsinks fan, and then onto the heatsink itself.

[Yodums]

Depends on your noise tolerance. If you're willing to go all out just for performance and could care less about sound, the 900u w/ Vantec 84 + airflow would make a wicked combo.

If you want a peaceful working environment than the Zalman heatsink would be best even though we don't know how it compares to the 900U as it wasn't tested under the die simulator.

Yodums

[sman789]

Chris, i'm using mine with 2 intakes and one exhaust (then psu)

i'm getting 42 idle and 60 with dual primes (this is with zalmans paste, it'll be better with AS3)

i do have a tornado one the side, another as an exhaust and a blowhole fan. these are connected to a separate PSU and they'll knock off more Cs but i'm happy without right now

*this is with the Abit ic7 with the temperature probs*

[Gautam]

Originally posted by Yodums
Depends on your noise tolerance. If you're willing to go all out just for performance and could care less about sound, the 900u w/ Vantec 84 + airflow would make a wicked combo.

If you want a peaceful working environment than the Zalman heatsink would be best even though we don't know how it compares to the 900U as it wasn't tested under the die simulator.

Yodums

It was tested under the die simulator; .18 C/W vs. .15 C/W; not enough of a difference to warrant for the increased noise level, IMHO. Here (http://www.overclockers.com/articles735/)'s Joe C.'s review.

[billstuck]

I just got back from Fry's with the Zalman 7000 and some Artic Silver 3.

I'll post my comparison to the Stock intel HSF on my OC'ed 2.4c @3.12ghz in this thread tonight.