Opinions/Suggestions for cooling LGA775 CPU

[jillsy]

I currently have a Pentium 4 EE w/HTT 3.73 GHz LGA775 CPU mounted on an Intel D955XBK mobo in a Thermaltake Shark case; I built the system in Oct., 2005 and am getting ready to do some upgrades/additions.

In the process, I am thinking about retiring my Thermaltake BigWater SE liquid cooling system. I have had fairly good luck with it, especially temperature-wise, but it is higher maintenance than more traditional cooling options, and there's always that worry of possible leaks, etc. Others here have expressed the same opinion and have had me thinking I should seek something better.

I am looking at various products for CPU cooling. A couple I have looked at are the Thermaltake Blue Orb II and the Thermaltake Big Typhoon. There's another Big Typhoon model that mounts differently and many reviewers claim it can actually fall off due to its heft.

Anyway, I want something that's fairly quiet. I don't need silence, but I hated the high-pitched whine the original Intel HSF exhibited when I had it installed. The most important thing is cooling of course. I don't think size is a major factor as I have a full size case. My main worry would be something big enough to extend into the PSU area above the CPU. There is ample room to the right, left, and beneath my CPU.

Also, which thermal compund options are the best? I have read/heard good things about Arctic Silver, but is it true that silver-based compunds don't conduct electricity? I have gone with silicone-based options in the past because I can never be as neat as I'd like to be in the application process, and I don't want my sloppiness to cause any real damage.

I'm sure there are plenty of opinions out there, so please feel free to express them. Also feel free to express opinions about other general case cooling options, such as bay cooling fans.

Thanks,
Jill

[Cricket]

Thermalright XP-90 Multiple Heatpipes CPU Heatsink

Scythe Minebea NMB Silent IC Series 3610KL-04W-B19-FB1 92mm Case Fan

Cricket

[Mr.Ferrari]

The thermaltake big typhoon is *ok*, but it is very top heavy and will torque the motherboard.

Some good heatsinks ranging from low to high performance would be..Arctic Cooling Freezer 7pro, Thermalright Ultra 120, Scythe Infinity, Sunbeam Tuniq Tower.

The thermalright ultra 120 would probably be my choice. A nice quiet fan would be some of these:
YateLoon D12-SL
-The SM version is a bit louder but higher performance.

Scythe fans are also very quiet too.

You could always get a fan controller and connect them to lower or raise fan speeds as you need. And Arctic Silver 5 would be a compound of choice.

[jillsy]

Thanks for all the info. Mr. Ferrari, you're like the cooling guru!

I'm leaning toward the Freezer 7 Pro since it is not as bulky and heavy as some of the others, yet still gets great reviews for its cooling capabilities. It's a bit more difficult to find in stock, but hopefully I'll locate one soon.

I'll probably be ordering soon as I have some other components lined up to order and figure I'll just get it all done at once. Thanks again for the help.

Jill

[Mr.Ferrari]

Yeah but just dont order it from newegg unless they reduce the price when its back in stock. For some reason newegg thinks a $30 cpu cooler is now worth $70.

Oh and I believe these guys do have it in stock:
http://www.xoxide.com/arctic-cooling-freezer-7-pro.html
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...oducts_id=3725

[jillsy]

Shoot, I already ordered from a seller at Amazon. It's about $50 with shipping. Xoxide doesn't have it, but Performance does for only $35. Oh well, I'll know to look there the next time I'm shopping. I saw Newegg's listing, also. I was surprised because they often have some great prices and their shipping is usually reasonable as well. Once in awhile they throw you a curve. Thanks again for all the helpful advice.

Jill

[jillsy]

I installed my Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro last night and I love it! Having to take the mobo out was a pain, but otherwise installation was easy. I did remove the original thermal compound and replaced with Arctic Silver 5. Now I'm idling at ~40C with the fan running at ~1500 RPM, and it's amazingly quiet. It makes less noise than the BigWater radiator and cools as effectively. Thanks for the advice and help that got me here.

Jill