considering Gelid Tranquillo

davethe11 · 19 Jan 2012 at 12:49

I have a Q9550 currently at 3.4GHz, 40c idle 70c load on the original Artic Freezer 7 Pro. I hate the plastic push pins on these type of coolers, I've broken a few in the past for a start, and also I never feel these type of coolers are clamped on as well as other mechanisms.

I've seen the Gelid Tranquillo recommended occasionally on here, and I've read a few cooler comparisons upto the £50 bracket and the Gelid seems a popular choice. I like the 120mm fan for quieter operation, the fact that there is a copper base as well as the heat pipes, and I'm convinced the back-plate route is the way to go.

I just wanted some feedback on this cooler before I purchase, I have limited funds for a system upgrade (I got the Q9550 off of the MM recently) and am keen to try a new cooler and get a higher overclock (will provide more details on my oc if anyones interested). Also, does the thermal paste that comes with this cooler do justice to the cooler? (Gelid GC-2 I believe?)

Plec · 19 Jan 2012 at 17:35

The Gelid, in my opinion, is one of the best budget/mid priced coolers on the market.

It has a great performance to price ratio and fitting is straight forward - and a backplate is always a bonus with large heatsinks. Plus, if relative silence and performance is part of your criteria then it should tick that box too. I've fitted a few of these in different rigs and have always been impressed with the results.

Make sure your case will accomodate its height...

James J · 19 Jan 2012 at 17:40

Fitted one of these in my housemates PC a few weeks ago and it was very easy to do. Nice solid construction on the heatsink but the fan had a snapped corner on it which my housemate got so hes using an apache black on it instead. This is on an i5 760 and it rarely goes above 55C in games.

davethe11 · 19 Jan 2012 at 18:08

Thanks for the advice chaps, I have decided not to get a cooler now after reseating my current cooler. I really wasn't happy with the temps I was getting as it's not only a 45nm cpu, and cpuz reads core voltage as 1.112V at load (prime95) and 1.12V at idle (is 0.008V vdroop acceptable? I cannot remember now what vdroop is deemed ok). BTW, this chip has a 1.3V VID so I'm really impressed with how low I can turn down the vcore and still have a stable overclock of 3.4GHz with this chip! Anyway, back on topic, I was sure there was something wrong so I decided to read up on applying TIM as I've not changed CPU for four years. I used to spread AS5 over the CPU heatspreader evenly before mounting the heatsink, and used to get good temps given the chip and the cooler. But this afternoon I went with the pea-sized dollop in the centre of the CPU and leave it to spread under the pressure of the clamped heatsink. Low and behold, my temps at load are now below 60c on all four cores - a drop of 10c.

I'm glad I went with my instincts and now have a little headroom to push my oc above 3.4GHz, and given this chip doesn't seem to be very juicy i'm hoping for some good results. I also read somewhere that it is 'common knowledge' that heatspreaders are slightly concave, which goes some way to explaining why the dollop in the middle approach has paid dividends for me. I would still love a new cooler, but i'm going to upgrage my ageing 8800GT soon so will keep the funds for that

kmetek · 19 Jan 2012 at 18:19

Be careful to get Version 2.

Plec · 19 Jan 2012 at 18:36

davethe11 said:
>snip<

The blob method usually works very well on smooth surfaced heatsinks - it's my prefered method now - plus it's quicker and less messy (but i use a different method with exposed heatpipes on the base)

You still have a mighty rig and an upto date gfx card will transform its performance in games. What card are you saving up for as you can get some great buys in the members market?

2-step · 19 Jan 2012 at 18:40

Its a very nice cooler, on a stock q6600 it don't go above 50

davethe11 · 19 Jan 2012 at 19:09

Plec said:
The blob method usually works very well on smooth surfaced heatsinks - it's my prefered method now - plus it's quicker and less messy (but i use a different method with exposed heatpipes on the base)

You still have a mighty rig and an upto date gfx card will transform its performance in games. What card are you saving up for as you can get some great buys in the members market?

It's certainly less hassle, though I got pretty good with spreading the tim over the heatspreader, I found a flexible piece of card (business card type of thing) the best to use. But I'm sold on the pea-dollop now

Regarding gfx card, I'm really not sure. I'm not averse to the MM by any means, but it's always nice picking up a new gfx card. My budget is rather flexible (£200 max), but will only stretch to this if it is really worth the bang for buck. You may have gathered I don't upgrade often, my forthcoming gfx upgrade will serve me for at least two years (probably three) so I don't mind investing for the future now. I've been looking at the 560Ti and the 6850 (also the £200 6950 2GB on ocuk), but I'm not sure about a 1GB or 2GB card. I play Civ5, SWToR, I would like to play the newer fps games too and I will pick up BF3 soon. I game at 1920x1200 and have been struggling on low settings on most games for a little while now, If you have any advice on gfx cards then it would be much appreciated

Plec · 19 Jan 2012 at 20:07

davethe11 said:
]Regarding gfx card, I'm really not sure. I'm not averse to the MM by any means, but it's always nice picking up a new gfx card. My budget is rather flexible (£200 max), but will only stretch to this if it is really worth the bang for buck.

I know what you mean about buying new - i have a similar philosophy myself.

I also place a similar budget on a gfx card and in October bought a Gigabyte OC 560Ti and have been very impressed - it would certainly have a dramatic impact on your rig.

As for the 1Gb and 2Gb choice that's open for debate - i personally find 1Gb fulfills all my gaming needs (BF3 is the only game i really play and not much). The new GeForce GTX 560 Ti 448 cores nearly matches the 570 on performance and by the time your ready to buy it may have dropped in price. Or the regular 560Tis will be even cheaper...

davethe11 · 20 Jan 2012 at 09:49

Thanks for the advice Plec, very helpful indeed. I've read a lot about 1GB vs 2GB and have found no definitive answer or advice, but as this upgrade will serve me for a few years I'm almost decided on a 2GB card for future proofing; BF3 seems to be the only game people cite as using considerably more than 1GB, and this is on higher resolutions than 1920x1200, but I can imagine that in one or two years time 2GB will be advantageous for many of the new games arriving. The 2GB 6950's are tempting, would you know how they compare with the 560Ti range?

Plec · 20 Jan 2012 at 21:37

davethe11 said:
but I can imagine that in one or two years time 2GB will be advantageous for many of the new games arriving.

Sounds like a sound and logical conclusion given your time between upgrades.

davethe11 said:
The 2GB 6950's are tempting, would you know how they compare with the 560Ti range?

I'm afraid i can't as gfx cards aren't really my forte - but i've noticed that the leading contenders, in the mid-price range (sub £200), tend to have very similar results - as in there's arguments for both depending on what you mainly use your computer for and what games you play.

Heres a link comparing the 1Gb 560Ti and 1Gb 6950 just for a 'ball park' reference - link

davethe11 · 21 Jan 2012 at 00:03

Thanks for the link Plec, makes for interesting reading. I've got a few things to sell to make my budget so will read up some more and consider my options. I see all the talk about the forthcoming 7950 and kepler in a few months which may push down prices, but I'm hoping to upgrade in Feb so will keep my eyes peeled for a good deal.

Plec · 21 Jan 2012 at 00:31

davethe11 said:
I'm hoping to upgrade in Feb so will keep my eyes peeled for a good deal.

Good luck with it and, if you don't mind, let me know what you decide to opt for (TBH, either will be a very pleasing upgrade). I would be very interested to know what impact the card has on your system as you should get a massive performance boost in certain games plus it will bring your rig right back into the present as the Q9550 can still hold its own with current software/games.

Clairvoyant · 21 Jan 2012 at 00:41

Sorry to hijack the thread.

I have just purchased one of these. A Clan friend has basicly the same setup, he has a raven 2 I have a FT02. He has a i7 2700K @ 4.9, I have i5 2500k @ 4.4. Under IBT Im hitting low 70c, he says he is hitting mid 50c. I have reseated the cooler again wit MX-3, and still low 70c for me.

Why are my temps so high.

And can TIM go off.

Plec · 21 Jan 2012 at 08:44

Plec · 21 Jan 2012 at 08:46

Clairvoyant said:
And can TIM go off.

If the TIM is under 5 years old (or even older) it should be fine - unless it's started to separate badly there shouldn't be a problem.

Clairvoyant said:
A Clan friend has basicly the same setup, he has a i7 2700K @ 4.9, under IBT he says he is hitting mid 50c.

Just to clarify your clan friend is claiming he has a 2700K @ 4.9 with Gelid strapped on top and is only hittings the mid 50s when using IBT?

That's pretty hard to accept - are you sure he's running IBT and that he's doing numerous passes? I would be tempted to question him further as those results are verging on the fantastic. He's either embelishing (i'm being diplomatic) or his setup has a major difference which you're not aware of - or he has a gem of chip.

Clairvoyant said:
I have i5 2500k @ 4.4. Under IBT Im hitting low 70c. I have reseated the cooler again wit MX-3, and still low 70c for me.

Why are my temps so high.

Back to your temps - 70 degrees isn't that bad @ 4.4V (voltages?) with IBT as it's a brutal stress test when run correctly. What voltage is going through the CPU at 4.4GHz and what case, and other fans have you got in your system?

Also, how have you appled the TIM and how did the base of the HS look when you took it off the last time?

Clairvoyant · 21 Jan 2012 at 09:50

Why is it you can never google what you found once before. I have seen some pics of HS what the TIM looks like when they have been taken off.

I would say it looked like it didnt spread that well.

I have asked what he used to stress with.

Plec · 21 Jan 2012 at 10:20

What method of application did you use?

If it was the blob method, and you feel confident that the HS was securley fitted, then you may want to try adding a bit more paste (it's usually a rice/pea size plob.)

And if you are using the blob method - when you put the HS onto the CPU give it a little twist under pressure before tightening the screws to help even out the paste. Then tightnen the screws bit by bit using the diagonal method.

Clairvoyant · 21 Jan 2012 at 11:15

Its between a rice and pea size blob. You cant (well I cant) twist the Gelid.

When I removed my Coolit 240, the Gelid was not as well spread and even. I cant describe what it looks like but I would say it was not as good as the Coolit.

FiXiT · 21 Jan 2012 at 17:17

Some interesting methods in applying the paste in this vid;