Phanteks PH-TC14PE vs TRUE

blackninja · 5 Dec 2011 at 21:44

I have my TRUE heatsink with 2x120mm push/pull fans (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-000-XI&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=4) ... prime 95 gets me to 82c max with Fans @ 1250 rpm under load (ambient = 24C), Proc is an i7 920 D0 is at 4.2GHz, 1.376v under load (The 7x120mm Case fans are the same type and all about 800 rpm so the system is fairly quiet at idle). I don't plan to change the case fans ...

This cooler did my Q6600 proud for a couple of years before duty for another couple of years on the 920 so hopefully things have moved on!

How does the Phanteks PH-TC14PE compare to this?

setter · 5 Dec 2011 at 21:52

Tbh, id stick with what you have. 82c at the vcore your using isnt too bad, perhaps try two more powerful fans on the TRUE. I had one on my i7 920 @4ghz, 76c max under prime. I swapped it out for a prolimatech supermega, (cost £70.00) it didnt cool any better than the TRUE. Id invest in two of theese.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-059-AK

A much better fan than the redwings, im using a redwing as a temporary measure on my second i7 930 rig, (stock under a TRUE). Im not very impressed with the redwings at all.

blackninja · 5 Dec 2011 at 22:23

setter said:
Tbh, id stick with what you have. 82c at the vcore your using isnt too bad, perhaps try two more powerful fans on the TRUE. I had one on my i7 920 @4ghz, 76c max under prime. I swapped it out for a prolimatech supermega, (cost £70.00) it didnt cool any better than the TRUE. Id invest in two of theese.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-059-AK

A much better fan than the redwings, im using a redwing as a temporary measure on my second i7 930 rig, (stock under a TRUE). Im not very impressed with the redwings at all.

I am not worried about the 920 temps - its my probable upgrade to a 990x/980x that I am thinking of here and wondering if a new cooler will help me get the best out of one.

Interesting re the fans though ... I bought the redwings when they were a fair bit cheaper than now (must have been a TWO!). Mentioning upgrading the fans has just reminded me that I have 6x120mm Delta fans in a box in the garage somewhere - might dig 2 of them out to see what difference the increased air flow has on the TRUE. Got my Q6600 to over 4GHZ they did with the same TRUE ... bleedin loud though so only for fun tbh

Thinking of digging out my PA120.3 rad for the CPU only as another option ... just need to get a cpu block - might get better fans for that though.

setter · 5 Dec 2011 at 23:01

A 990x/980x should run a bit cooler than a 920. Delta fans, now those are real monsters.

The TRUE needs fans with good static pressure to force air through the densely spaced fins. Watercooling would be an even better option, id love to do it with my 920 but unfortunately im skint at the minute.

Helios1234 · 5 Dec 2011 at 23:31

Link in sig for comparisons between the two.

The Phanteks isn't massively better and your TRUE seems to be coping very well with your 920 there. A 980/990x will run surprisingly much cooler at the same given clock speed as a 920. Considering your temperatures, I'd say it could cope with the hexa-cores at 4.5-4.6GHz.

blackninja · 6 Dec 2011 at 00:15

Helios1234 said:
Link in sig for comparisons between the two.

The Phanteks isn't massively better and your TRUE seems to be coping very well with your 920 there. A 980/990x will run surprisingly much cooler at the same given clock speed as a 920. Considering your temperatures, I'd say it could cope with the hexa-cores at 4.5-4.6GHz.

Interesting info in that link ... almost like diminishing returns for those massive modern coolers, mine must be about 4 years old! I have used tape to ensure a seal around the gaps where the fans join it so that the 2 fans don't push out or pull in air that does not go across the fins - this has actually made a few degrees improvement and it all helps! I have also lapped the TRUE base for the Q6600 duty and the 920 CPU got lapped the day I got it before it was even installed. That's great value ... no need to scrimp on coolers that can last that long and be viable.

What I do get from this is that I don't need to worry about additional cooling for a hex core gulftown .... that is good.