What is the best COOLER for the money Q6600?

Xtremeforce · 13 Sep 2008 at 12:21

Hi All,

Ordering a few bits & bobs next week from OCUK, wondering as ive currently got the standard out of the box cooler for my INTEL Q6600, the system is currently housed in an ANTEC 300 Case, What is the best FAN/COOLER for the money that can fit in this case for the q6600??

Many Thanks

MeatLoaf · 13 Sep 2008 at 12:35

Ive got one of these great little coolers and lights up nice too

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...a AK-965BL Blue LED CPU Cooler (Socket LGA775)

wellibob · 13 Sep 2008 at 12:39

what Meatloaf said. Not the best, or that quiet at full fan speed, but top value.

Pneumonic · 13 Sep 2008 at 14:59

All depends on how much you want to overclock (if at all)

The below are very much dependant on the CPU but in general:

Stock Cooler: 3.2ghz ish
AC7 / similar like the one suggested above: 3.4ghz ish
Tuniq Tower: 3.5ish/3.6ghz ish
TRUE: 3.6ghz+ depending on fan and if you want to lap or not

Price wise you are looking at £15 ish for an AC7 or up to around £50 for a TRUE + Fan

The Intel Quadcore Database should give you an idea of clocks and what cooling was used

Snograt · 13 Sep 2008 at 16:22

Allegedly, the best coolers on the market are the TRUE, the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 and, best of all, the OCZ Vendetta 2.

Sadly, OcUK only lists the TRUE (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-039-TR) which is out of stock with no hint of future availability.

projects14a · 13 Sep 2008 at 17:03

Have any of the Tuniq's needed lapping?

inonefly · 13 Sep 2008 at 17:56

+1 on Xigmatek HDT-S1283

Pneumonic · 13 Sep 2008 at 18:42

Tuniqs have good bases, although you might looks at the sunbeam core contact as well made by the same company

rjk · 13 Sep 2008 at 19:20

i se a thermaltake v1 on mine

its retty good but would go for the tniq or the true

projects14a · 13 Sep 2008 at 20:53

Ive got the Tuniq Tower 120-LFB, seems to be very good, just seen a few posts recently regarding bases needing lapping. All mention True, but wondered whether others have the same problem as i didnt check mine before i fitted it. Get a 3-4 degree difference between a couple of the cores on idle, but apparently this is normal

Idle temps are 26 - 30, most cores averaging 28

Godsbrother · 13 Sep 2008 at 22:57

+1 for the OCZ Vendetta 2 . . . great cooler currently keeping my E8500 idle @ 30c @ 4.3ghz

Helios1234 · 14 Sep 2008 at 02:12

Im surprised no one recommends the noctua which is a great fan and easily on par with the TRUE and doesn't require lapping.

thesnowdog1971 · 14 Sep 2008 at 02:28

I'm thinking about getting one of those myself as it goes, I'll keep my fingers crossed that it fits on my Rampage Formula motherboard

Mattus · 14 Sep 2008 at 04:02

Helios1234 said:
Im surprised no one recommends the noctua which is a great fan and easily on par with the TRUE and doesn't require lapping.

Was about to suggest this myself. This is a great cooler, as efficient as the Thermalright but IMO built to higher standards. Shame not many people know about it.

Rainmaker · 14 Sep 2008 at 04:06

Another +1 for the OCZ Vendetta 2. Mine keeps an E8600 at 26 idle and 35 load (at stock). At 4.6Ghz it was 32 idle and ~55 load

Add to the fact it matches (and even beats) the TRUE and TT in reviews/benchmarks, and only costs £25.... Win!

thesnowdog1971 · 14 Sep 2008 at 07:26

Does overclocking a CPU that much shorten its lifespan or is everything hunky dory as long as you keep the temps down..? Am about to spend £225 on a Q9550, am planning on overclocking from 2.83GHz to 3.2GHz but am having second thoughts if it's going to bugger the thing up over time. :confused:

Hutch · 14 Sep 2008 at 08:20

thesnowdog1971 said:
Does overclocking a CPU that much shorten its lifespan or is everything hunky dory as long as you keep the temps down..? Am about to spend £225 on a Q9550, am planning on overclocking from 2.83GHz to 3.2GHz but am having second thoughts if it's going to bugger the thing up over time.

Took mine to 3.4 with the noctua hsf mentioned above.. Idle temps are below 30 degrees and full load doesnt go above 50.. I dont think you start threatening the life of the processor till you overvolt it a lot, or get it to extreme temperatures. Chances are if you are only going to 3.2, the processor is going to become outdated before it dies

thesnowdog1971 · 14 Sep 2008 at 09:52

Mind you...I say that I'll only go up to 3.2GHz but I dare say I may be tempted to squeeze a little more out of it as long as black smoke doesn't start coming from the HSF lol

Hutch · 14 Sep 2008 at 10:26

lol fair enough. I got to 3.4 very easilly, thought about pushing it more, figured I dont need to so left it at that

Xtremeforce · 14 Sep 2008 at 11:10

Hi guys thanks for the recommendations etc,

looked at the following as im not going to be overclocking at this stage but would like the possibility they are:

Arctic Freezer Pro 7 at 18 quid looks value for money

Zalman CNPS8000 at 30 sQUID!

What are your views, swaying towards the the Freezer Pro.