Recommended Conroe Cooler

[Slogan]

Now, before someone jumps down my throat (in the respond sharply or angrily way only..) - I understand that the Conroe is 775 and that cpu coolers currently out will work with it - However, I'm more so looking for personal opinion and/or guidance on choosing one.

I went through 3/4 pages of Conroe related threads and they were either left unanswered or were specific solely to one product: "i.e. Will such'n'such' work with Conroe?"

I haven't found a thread that covers a majority of coolers - but if there's one about feel free to post a link and I'll have a read.

The system I am building is the following:

Motherboard:
Processor: Intel Core 2 DUO E6600 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail (CP-128-IN)
CPU Cooler:
Memory: Corsair Memory TWIN2X2048-6400 2x1GB 240-Pin DIMM XMS2-6400 CL5
Graphics Card: XFX 7900GT 256MB DDR3 DUAL DVI PCI-E
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 400GB ST3400620AS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (HD-083-SE)
CD Drive: Sony CD-RW/DVD Combo 52x32x52x16x Internal OEM Black
DVD Drive: Samsung SH-S182D 18x18 DVD±RW ReWriter (Black) (CD-078-SA)
Case: Thermaltake VB1000BWS Soprano SuperMidi Tower - Black (CA-015-TT)

As you can see, this and the motherboard are the two final pieces of the jig-saw - I assume the cpu cooler isn't too reliant on the motherboard for too much, but I could well be wrong.

Anyway, I've had a frolick about and discovered the Ultra 120 and a few of the Scythe Ninja coolers - I've heard of people recommending Zalman coolers - but they look nowhere near as big as the previous two - so I'm going to ignorantly assume they're not as effective...

I just need opinions as I want to get another item ticked off the list and a bit closer to actually getting the system together.

Another thing - I've seen an item which sits at the front of your case (like a cd drive) and gives a digital reading of your in-case temperature. Are these of any use in regards to giving accurate-ish ratings or are they more of a novelty? I wouldn't mind getting one if they were anywhere near effective.

Lastly, how important is it to use thermal paste on a CPU - Which I may plan on overclocking?

Cheers, Slogan.

 

[Beenom]

I think the top three at the moment are

Tuniq Tower 120
Scythe Ninja Plus
Thermaltake BT

Tuniq Tower is HUGE! And, right now, hard to get a hold off also OcUK don't stock them I think the Scythe Ninja and the Thermaltake are on par with each other, different review sites say different things . But those are the top three anyway

 

[BillytheImpaler]

Does the AC Freezer 64 still work? That is usually a favorite around here and AFAIK LGA775 is the same physically as it has always been.

 

[Slogan]

Tuniq Tower is HUGE!

Yeh, you failed to mention that I would be needing an additional case.

Thanks for your help - will cast an eye of those now.

 

[Beenom]

Does the AC Freezer 64 still work? That is usually a favorite around here and AFAIK LGA775 is the same physically as it has always been.

Isnt the Freezer Pro 64 for Socket 939? I thought the equivalent for LGA775 was the Freezer Pro 7, Im not sure how far that will allow you to overclock your Conroe compared with the three already mentioned (Probably not as much) However if you're midly overclocking then I don't see why its a bad choice

 

[Slogan]

Well, even just to have a few names thrown into the hat for potential cpu coolers - gets me a bit closer than I was earlier today - so it's a start at least.

 

[Shakey_Jake33]

I'm in the same situation as topic starter.

Basically, my machine will be used for media, so I want it quiet as possible.... at the same time, my machine will be on 24-7, so I recognise I'm going to have to go for something a little louder than desired.. and I will game sometimes. I guess I'm saying I'm willing to pay that little bit more for one that does both.... it's a false econimy to skimp on a CPU cooler, after all.
As a reference, alarm bells ring for me when the CPU goes over 50C. Are the above still recommended?

Looking at an X6800 Extreme Edition thinger, btw.

 

[Slogan]

I see a website was reviewing the Ninja Plus and took off the stock 120mm fan and replaced it with a ThermalTake 120mm and reduced the temperature by a good couple of degrees - I assume, with the Conroe being a lot more efficient - it probably won't need hardcore cooling for a little overclocking?

 

[BillytheImpaler]

Isnt the Freezer Pro 64 for Socket 939? I thought the equivalent for LGA775 was the Freezer Pro 7...

You're right of course and I feel like a muppet for screwing that up. I did know that 64 was for PGA939.