Hello 
Current System:
Motherboard: Asus M3A32-MVP Deluxe
CPU: Phenom X4 Quad Core 9950
Memory: Corsair 4GB DDR2 XMS2 Dominator PC2-8500C5
Graphics Card: Powercolor ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB
Case: Thermaltake VB1000BWS Soprano SuperMidi Tower
CPU Cooler: Akasa AK-922 EVO Blue
HDD: Samsung SpinPoint F1 1TB
I’ve recently installed a Phenom 9950 cpu into my system and as expected the cpu temp - with my current set up - has increased. I’m currently getting idle temps of 50-52c (no overclocking) with system temps in the mid/high 40s. However, to get these temps i've turned the cpu cooler fan up full whack and it’s loud!
I want to try and get the temps down as much as possible, and at the same time get a quieter system. I think I have 3 options and 1 poor option
New CPU fan: The first thing I noticed about the Akasa AK-922 EVO Blue cooler is that the base of the cooler, which touches the CPU, is circular and not square. Surely you would get more heat transfer if it covers the whole cpu…. This is probably the cheapest/easiest option. Currently looking at the Asus Silent Square Pro or Zalman CNPS9700-NT nVidia Tritium
New Case: Things are a bit cluttered with my current case and I don’t think I am getting very good airflow. The Thermaltake Soprano is pretty average from what i can see. But if I got a new case I would want to upgrade and see decent rewards. Not just upgrade for a drop in a couple of degrees. Looking at some of the highend Coolermaster cases, Stacker 830 for example.
Water Cooling: I don’t know much about it, which is probably why it’s currently the least likely choice. But from a noise point of view it clearly has benefits. I think if I went for water cooling I would want to cool the gpu as well, that fan makes the most noise.
Change case fans: (poor option) I can’t imagine this making much difference?
I read reviews and see people getting sub 40c on their CPU, I don’t think I’ve ever managed this. I’m tempted at a new case, because I think this is the weakest part of my system (in terms of cooling) but only if it’s worthwhile. Not sure what kind of improvements a different cpu cooler would make, likewise with water cooling. Although I do like the thought of a quiet system.
What do u think the best option is? Value for money is quite important
Current System:
Motherboard: Asus M3A32-MVP Deluxe
CPU: Phenom X4 Quad Core 9950
Memory: Corsair 4GB DDR2 XMS2 Dominator PC2-8500C5
Graphics Card: Powercolor ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB
Case: Thermaltake VB1000BWS Soprano SuperMidi Tower
CPU Cooler: Akasa AK-922 EVO Blue
HDD: Samsung SpinPoint F1 1TB
I’ve recently installed a Phenom 9950 cpu into my system and as expected the cpu temp - with my current set up - has increased. I’m currently getting idle temps of 50-52c (no overclocking) with system temps in the mid/high 40s. However, to get these temps i've turned the cpu cooler fan up full whack and it’s loud!
I want to try and get the temps down as much as possible, and at the same time get a quieter system. I think I have 3 options and 1 poor option
New CPU fan: The first thing I noticed about the Akasa AK-922 EVO Blue cooler is that the base of the cooler, which touches the CPU, is circular and not square. Surely you would get more heat transfer if it covers the whole cpu…. This is probably the cheapest/easiest option. Currently looking at the Asus Silent Square Pro or Zalman CNPS9700-NT nVidia Tritium
New Case: Things are a bit cluttered with my current case and I don’t think I am getting very good airflow. The Thermaltake Soprano is pretty average from what i can see. But if I got a new case I would want to upgrade and see decent rewards. Not just upgrade for a drop in a couple of degrees. Looking at some of the highend Coolermaster cases, Stacker 830 for example.
Water Cooling: I don’t know much about it, which is probably why it’s currently the least likely choice. But from a noise point of view it clearly has benefits. I think if I went for water cooling I would want to cool the gpu as well, that fan makes the most noise.
Change case fans: (poor option) I can’t imagine this making much difference?
I read reviews and see people getting sub 40c on their CPU, I don’t think I’ve ever managed this. I’m tempted at a new case, because I think this is the weakest part of my system (in terms of cooling) but only if it’s worthwhile. Not sure what kind of improvements a different cpu cooler would make, likewise with water cooling. Although I do like the thought of a quiet system.
What do u think the best option is? Value for money is quite important
Plus much cheaper than the Coolermaster cases i had been looking at.
