CPU HSF Choice

Aither

Aither

/Wrists
Adventurer
Joined
Nov 24, 2004
Messages
631
Location
New Brunswick, Canada
Linkshell
HoT
So, I currently am working on a new system to future proof for newer games coming out. As it stands I have a new case Solid Steel 40lbs empty lol (got tired of my old one) new Mobo: 680i. A new 700w PSU on the way along with 4G of some sexy OCZ RAM. I am getting a E6600 CPU. Now I am TRYING to decide on a HSF for my mobo, I have it narrowed down between 2.

Number 1: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?mode=productreviewread&product_id=16409

Number 2:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=21680&vpn=CNPS9700-NT&manufacture=ZALMAN TECH

The BIG thing that concers me is the weight of HSF #2

Cautionary Notes
1. The maximum weight for a cooler is specified as 450g for Intel Socket 775 and AMD Sockets
AM2/754/939/940. Special care should be taken when moving a computer equipped with a cooler that exceeds the specified weight limit. Zalman is not responsible for any damage that occurs when moving a computer.

Cooler #2's weight is 764g. Cooler #1 is 530g which is close to reccomended weight.

I don't move my PC a lot but when I do I dont really want to worry about the HSF ripping itself off my mobo when I transport it lol.

I have been working on PC's a long time but never had such heavy HSF. I know mobo's are pretty strong things when it comes to putting stress on them when installing hardware. The number 2 is really tall to so its going to have a higher centre of gravity vs the stout one. I know it SOUNDS like I have made up my mind for number 2, but I really havent - The both have similar stats when it comes to doing thier job CFm etc. I like the LOOKS of the 1st better than number 2. But I really wanna know: DOES the weight of the HSF stand as something that could damage the mobo easily? I always transport my stuff with care - and I don't do lan party's so the PC will be in one place for 99% of the time.

Fly I am lookin at you mostly for this as you always seem to know a lot when it comes to hardware - even though you'r an AMD fanboi
 
Zalman 9700, thing is a CHAMP. It weighs alot, so dont put it on a LAN comp. It should never fall off if you keep it next to your desk. I think its probably the #1 cooler out there, short of water cooling of course.

Oh, and Newegg tends to have cheaper prices for HSFs, so check around before you buy. Unless you plan to extreme OC your processer the 9500 should be fine.

So, to answer your question, as long as you dont have a dog knockin in to your pc, or it doesnt tip over, or you dont LAN with it, or you dont move it alot period, either will be fine. Mother boards are strong as hell, so i can hardly doubt you can break it with the weight of the fan. I push on mine hard as hell to install it and it just yawn as it gives for the clips to engage.
 
Last edited:
Newegg is American isn't it? Those NCIX links are in Canadian funds, Aither's in (/comfort) NB Canada so duty would come into play.

I use a 7700. I was considering the 9500 but I just don't feel comfortable with such a tall HSF hanging off my vertical mobo.

CNPS7700Cu does a fantastic job, it's very low-profile compared to the 9500. I would highly recommend you consider it - there's no heatpipes but under load my 4400+ (dual 2.2ghz @ 90nm process) maxes at about 55º.

Your 6600 is 65nm process, so it'll run even cooler by default. Seriously consider the 7700.

I can understand the weight concern, but more important with vertical mobo's is the centre of gravity. If it's too far away from the mobo then there's obviously additional stress on the mounting points. One of the HSFs I've used (in fact I think its the 7700 I have now) is upwards of 700g, but since the CoG is so close to the motherboard, the stress on the mounting points is quite well distributed and I have no concerns whatsoever about my socket being torn off.
 
yeah the 9000 series fans are big enough to keep air circulating in my room, their ENORMOUS
 
Thanks for the input guys, Yea flys right I am in NB Canada so any american sites would rip my butt out on getting into my country. I think I am going to go with the 9500 due to the lower centre of gravity. It is true I don't lan or move my PC much, but the constant stress on the board and when I move the PC I don't want to be on eggshells eh.

The new PC is gettling close to being done!

Ordered my 700W PSU thursday and it got to me today all the way from BC to NB in 25 hours - 20 bucks for the shipping rofl.

I am having trouble deciding on a video card too. Well Not really trouble, just would going with a GTX 8800 768M roughly 750 CDN really be WORTH IT over a GTS 8800 640M 500 CDN. I have read a 27 page review stacking all the "higher end" cards against each other and of course the stats on the 768 romp like all fields but IT IS -WORTH- it?

If theres this massive difference between the cards then by all means I would sink the extra cash into the card, but if its going to be a not so noticeable diff between them I don't really wanna do it. Of course the 768 card would rock for future proofing for games like crysis and Age of Conan etc. It's just...it's a tonne of cash to sink IMHO.
 
Last edited:
Aither said:
I am having trouble deciding on a video card too. Well Not really trouble, just would going with a GTX 8800 768M roughly 750 CDN really be WORTH IT over a GTS 8800 640M 500 CDN. I have read a 27 page review stacking all the "higher end" cards against each other and of course the stats on the 768 romp like all fields but IT IS -WORTH- it?
Click to expand...
Of course it's not worth it, you halibut-humping Nvidia pawn. In 2 months I'm gonna fry your ass so hard it'll feel like you got an enema from a sparked oil well.
 
Lol Fly - Yea those R600's are scary fast looking - Im going to save the last piece of hardware as the GPU. Depending on price of the R600's we shall see where I go. I have always been an ATI Fan - hell I love my 9800 to death. But AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW ATI is in second place. The R600's will take over but for how long?
 
I dunno. If Nvidia plans to retaliate against it, they certainly haven't announced anything. So unless they're developing it in a subterranean nuclear silo impenetrable by everyone and everything (excluding Chuck Norris of course), I'd say ATI will hold the crown for a good 4-6 months minimum.

You did see the part about quad-GPU R600 setups right? Unless Nvidia pulls a venerable GPU cluster out of their ass, it will be neck-and-neck for quite some time.
 
lol Fly I love the way you phrase shit. The quard core's are really going to crank NVidia's line for sure but this "arms race" is just going to keep going until the build a GPU so powerful the world explodes @ 400 FPS.

Are you really going to get one of the r600's when they launch?
 
I think so, it's just too much bragging rights to pass up. Hopefully it co-operates with the 1900 series so I can Crossfire the bitches.
 
I think I might settle for a GTX 8800 768 and then when the day comes when I have more money to set aside - go dual GTX 8800's!

Wonder what kinda wattage I would need for dual GTX - Just got my 700W today....

Then I will fly to your house and bring my PC and they will engage in a battle to the DEATH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been looking at this Age of Conan game and it really makes me wanna push for a beeeeeeefy PC.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top