Deciding on a new VGA and CPU air cooling unit

[privatedonut21]

I was just doing some research on some new cooling units. I am (as of now) only interested in air cooling, as I don't really want to get into liquid cooling quite yet. I wanted to know what the best system to get would be, both for VGAs and for CPUs. The reason I ask is because when comparing them in articles on the site, they always use different cards/processors at different overclocks, so it's hard to get a straight up comparison.

So, since you guys are the experts...what are the best systems as far as performance and if possible could you give some kind of indication of possible temps I could expect with each?

[werty316]

I am a little confused. Are you asking what the best air coolers are for CPU and VGA? or asking what is the best hardware you can get?

[privatedonut21]

I am a little confused. Are you asking what the best air coolers are for CPU and VGA? or asking what is the best hardware you can get?

Sorry if I made it unclear...what I mean is what are the best air coolers available for VGAs, and what are the best for CPUs. I'm sorry if I'm not getting my point across.

[privatedonut21]

Oh, and sorry I didn't include this earlier. My specs will be:

Athlon 64 X2 4200+
GeForce 7800 GT
DFI Lanparty UT nF4 Ultra-D Socket 939
2x1024Mb OCZ Platinum PC3200

[werty316]

NP for CPU air coolers I think the best is Thermaltake's Big Typhoon, the Blue Orb 2 is also good but the Big Typhoon is better in my view. Thermalright's SP120 and XP120 is also very good though the XP120 has some motherboard issues as it is big. The SP120 is basically the XP120 but revised to fit better then the XP120. Both perform really well. The arctic Freezer Pro is also a great cooler. Coolermaster Hyper6+ is also great.

Thermaltake Big Typhoon
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/product/cooler/retail/cl-p0114/cl-p0114.asp
here are some reviews to give you an idea

Thermaltake Blue Orb 2
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/product/cooler/retail/cl-p0257/cl-p0257.asp

Coolermaster Hyper6+
http://www.coolermaster.com/index.php?LT=english&Language_s=2&url_place=product&p_serial=RR-UNH-P0U1&other_title=RR-UNH-P0U1Hyper%206%2B

Arctic Freezer Pro
http://www.arctic-cooling.com/cpu2.php?idx=80&disc=


For VGA coolers NV Silencer coolers form Arctic Cooling are the best. I think Thermalrights's V1-Ultra is also better.

Thermalright V1-Ultra
http://www.thermalright.com/a_page/main_product_v1ultra.htm

Arctic Cooling
http://www.arctic-cooling.com/vga1.php

As for temperatures it is hard to say the exact results you will get since room temp determines some of it. I wouldn't really worry about temps as these are the best coolers you can get. Anyone else who replies will most likey recommend the same air coolers.

Overall I would go with Thermaltake's Big Typhoon and Arctic Cooling Silencer series VGA cooler.

[privatedonut21]

Alright, thank you for your suggestions!

The VGA cooler is the one that I had focused on so far, and so you just confirmed my thoughts, but the CPU is one I had not considered.

[ciento44]

Zalman FTW.

Zalman 9500 for the CPU, although the Big Typhoon does VERY well.

VGA cooler, there is a couple Zalmans that do pretty well, but anything that you will buy will be a pretty good improvement. :)

[fstroupe]

I'd try to check to see if your CPU will have the new AMD heatpipe cooler, it's specs are pretty impressive.

The Zalman VF700-CU (http://www.ocia.net/reviews/vf700/page1.shtml)is a serious GPU cooler. I recently reviewed the Zalman Fatal1ty FS-V7 (http://www.ocia.net/reviews/fatal1ty/page1.shtml) GPU cooler. Though there are few differences in the two, I got some radically better results from the latter.

I think that the difference was due to the former being tested on an AGP model of the card, and the latter was on a PCI-E version. The PCI-E/AGP interface on the AGP card is definitely a weak point on the 6600GT, and stays extremely hot all of the time.

I would imagine that the 7800 would get similar results with either cooler, and the numbers would probably be similar to what I got with the FS-V7.

[zachig]

I would go with the Zalman VF700Cu Cooler for the GPU. I currently own one and I must say that I'm very satisifed with it.

I used to have XFX 6600GT AGP card running at 57C Idle and over 85C on load when using the stock cooler.

After I've installed the VF700Cu the temps went down to around 42C on Idle and Max. 58C on Load!!!

So I really recommend using this one.

Regarding the CPU cooler, I would go with the Thermaltake Big Typhoon (in 1st place) or the CoolerMaster Hyper 6 (in 2nd place), especailly if you're overclocking (or plan to overclock).

If you do not plan on overclocking and like the PC to be VERY quit, I would recommend going with the Zalman CNPS9500. It won't cool your CPU down like the "Big Typhoon" or the "Hyper 6", but it'll definitely be totally silent!!!

GOOD LUCK. :wink:

[privatedonut21]

I'd try to check to see if your CPU will have the new AMD heatpipe cooler, it's specs are pretty impressive.

The Zalman VF700-CU (http://www.ocia.net/reviews/vf700/page1.shtml)is a serious GPU cooler. I recently reviewed the Zalman Fatal1ty FS-V7 (http://www.ocia.net/reviews/fatal1ty/page1.shtml) GPU cooler. Though there are few differences in the two, I got some radically better results from the latter.

I think that the difference was due to the former being tested on an AGP model of the card, and the latter was on a PCI-E version. The PCI-E/AGP interface on the AGP card is definitely a weak point on the 6600GT, and stays extremely hot all of the time.

I would imagine that the 7800 would get similar results with either cooler, and the numbers would probably be similar to what I got with the FS-V7.

Yeah, I read that review which is what started me thinking about all of this. I am preparing to do a new build (once I get the funds together), and am planning on at least overclocking the CPU, so I wanted to get a good cooler for that and since I am going with a 7800, just to make sure the temps are low I want to get one for that as well.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, they will help me narrow down my field of search!