What is the BEST air cooler for a Q6600 upto 3.6Ghz?

[Space Monkey]

Hi guys

After looking around at online reviews etc... I have yet to find a comparative test for the big guns, namely Tuniq Tower, Noctua NH-U12P, Thermalright Ultra eXtreme 120 etc.... using a quad core CPU and with core temps included!

So I thought i'd ask you decent chaps as you'll have a vast knowledge of said coolers

I want to ramp my Q6600 upto 3.6Ghz but want a cooler thats man enough for the job, also has to be the best cooler between 3.0Ghz - 3.6Ghz. The lower the noise the better but I understand there will be some trade off with this at 3.6Ghz.

If anyone is using any of these coolers with a Q6600 please would you list the following:

Cooler being used,
Fan or Fans used (push/pull?)
CPU speed,
Idle Temps per core,
Load Temps per core,

And if you have used more than 1 of the coolers what was the best for you temp wise?


Thanks in advance,

D.M

 

[mk17]

I previously had the Noctua NH-U12F, and its a great cooler, didn't have to bother with lapping it either. Both the Thermalright and Tuniq will need proper lapping to get them level, but from people's experiences just on this forum it appears to be well worth it.

The Noctua was very effective for me, up to 3.42GHz on Q6600 where my PWM temps limited me before the cpu (known prob with a non-bolt-modded IP35 Pro). Its extremely quiet, but tbh, if I had to pick one, I'd go for a well-lapped TRU Extreme and slap a Noctua NFP12 fan onto it.

 

[bluebird14]

i saw around 20C drop in temps when i put my TRUE on with out lapping and another 10C after lapping. Personally i dnt think it can get any better than tht. As for a fan go with a sharkoon silent eagle, it really is silent! ;P

 

[Space Monkey]

i saw around 20C drop in temps when i put my TRUE on with out lapping and another 10C after lapping. Personally i dnt think it can get any better than tht. As for a fan go with a sharkoon silent eagle, it really is silent! ;P

Hi bluebird,

Thanks for the info, what CPU cooler did you use before? Did you also lap your CPU? I was looking at the Sharkoon Silent Eagle fan, is yours the 1000 or 2000?

Thankyou to MK17 also After seeing both your comments and from what I have picked up out & about it seems that the TRUE 120 lapped with a decent fan is the way to go.

A couple of questions though

1) Can the TRUE 120 take 2x120mm fans?
2) Is lapping the cooler easy, as I have never done anything like that before

 

[bluebird14]

i was using the stock cooler before. Yes I lapped cpu and cooler. And ive got the 1000, its quieter and you dont really need anythin extra with the TRUE.

1) im sure it can but ull hav to find the xtra bits to put it on.
2) Its not easy but its not the hardest thing in the world. As long as theres enough water to keep it lubricated on the paper it shuld be fine.

IMO I dont think tht there will be a huge difference between two 2000s and one 1000. Youll see the change after lapping.

 

[Space Monkey]

Thanks for that, im almost tempted to lap the heatsink base but not sure if i'll bother with the CPU as its new and i'll lose any warranty it has!