Cooling for Q6600 (HTPC system)

Berserker · 14 Nov 2007 at 03:42

I'm looking for a cooler that'll do a better job than the standard intel jobbie but not huge (it's to go in a mATX-based system so space is at a premium). Specifically, no more than 110mm high - and yes, that means the Freezer 7/Noctua/Tuniq/Ultra-120 etc. don't fit.

Must also be easy to install, preferably with pre-installed thermal compound, otherwise 'fat fingers' here will probably break it.

Suggestions welcome.

Berserker · 14 Nov 2007 at 10:53

Pushing it slightly I'll wager. Does well with a Dual core at close to 3GHz but thanks to a slight mistake in my first overclocking attempt I know it struggles a bit if the TDP goes up. Anyway, doesn't fit, so it's out.

As for the case, this is the current frontrunner.

Berserker · 14 Nov 2007 at 11:43

Hmm, the CNPS8700 does look nice, but I'm not sure if I'd get along with that spring clip mounting.

Berserker · 21 Nov 2007 at 02:56

Hmm. Got the CNPS8700 in and currently doing 2x Orthos stuff. It's hitting 57C @ stock though, which is a fair whack hotter than a previous post suggests it should be. :confused:

I believe that's well within the 'comfort zone' for the CPU though, and I don't need to overclock it, but I wonder if I've done something wrong.

PS - idle in the low 30s if it matters, and fans are at about 70% (that's where I expect to run them during 'normal' use). It's a small case (Antec Fusion) but airflow seems good enough.

Berserker · 21 Nov 2007 at 12:55

paradigm said:
If its only been on a matter of hours, the thermal compound will need to bed in for a start.

Thought that might be true. An overnight Orthos run has already shown some good evidence. I'll give it more time.