[makotech222]

So Xmas is coming and im thinking of getting a mobo+cpu update. Its probably going to be an MSI big bang board with Gulftown cpu.

Anyways i was looking at getting some new cooling equipment for mainly the CPU, but also perhaps the videocard. I plan on OCing the CPu to at least 4ghz, how well would passive cooling work? Im really tired of my computer sounding like a jet engine whenever i game or [email protected]

What would also be a good choice for my gtx260 aftermarket cooling? the major factor on the VGA is the noise level too.

 

[Squall-Leonhart]

on a gulttown, passive cooling would suck ass.

 

[makotech222]

lol darn. guess i was hoping for too much.

 

[Squall-Leonhart]

i7's get really hot when overclocked, so an i9 will be worse, even though the nm is lower.

 

[Phil]

Passive cooling a CPU is never a good idea mate. UNless you undervolt it or something like that. Id push for water (yes I know im biased)

 

[Princess Garnet]

You don't have to go passive to be quiet. My current GPU and CPU cooler spoil me. If I run underclocked a slow as it can with no load, or try it at 4.5GHz maximum load, it barely gets louder.

The CPU cooler barely seems louder at maximum than it does at normal, so that's why.

The GPU is always at ~30RPM.

After this (and having loud cooling before), it's going to make me research how quiet something is before I buy it.

I'm pretty sure they make a variant of the cooler I have (Xigmatek s1283), or even the same cooler with a separate mounting scheme, for socket LGA1366, and it performs fantastic for my CPU (can't say for a Core i7/Core i9 though), so perhaps look into that one?

For GPUs, I often find it best/cheaper to get one with aftermarket cooler from the start/stock. My GPU had one stock (and in fact, quite ironically, was the cheapest GeForce 8800GT being sold at Newegg at the time by a good $25 or more).

P.S. That's I-Chan's avatar, and I saw it before the name and thought you were him.

 

[makotech222]

@zedeck I just found the avatar and used it, didnt know it was his. is he still active?

My current cpu cooler is a zalman which was around $50 if i remember correctly. My GPU is stock cooler

 

[runawayprisoner]

Quiet PC? Then don't overclock too much. Stay in the 3GHz range and undervolt instead. Then go find a good heatsink that would accept a 120mm fan (TRUE comes to mind here...), then slap a 120mm Noctua Vortex on there. I assure you... the only noise you'll be hearing is your f*rt. (No kidding)

For GPU, grab a Accelero S2 and slap another 2 120mm Noctua Vortex on there. You won't be disappointed.

You can get some Noctua fans here:

http://www.quietpcusa.com

They also have the heatsinks if you want to take a look.

If your case is a slim one then instead of the Accelero S2, try the Thermalright T-Rad2. You're gonna have to use two 92mm fans, though, but Noctua already has those for ya. And again, for quiet fans, Noctua is absolutely among the best in terms of air flow and noise (if your ears can hear more than mine...).

 

[Demigod]

Hmm, interesting, I went liquid-cooling precisely because of the noise of my GPU fan. I got myself a DangerDen 9800GX2 waterblock and presto, no more noise! It also did wonders for the heat levels. I run [email protected] 24/7 using both my GPU chips and their temperature runs no hotter than 45 degrees celcius (overclocked 100 Mhz for core and memory). It's a big difference from the 90+ degrees I was getting before at stock speeds (plus, NO NOISE!! ). I also got a CPU waterblock (might as well, right).

The main problem with liquid-cooling is the cost, although you can get pre-packaged ones for a cheaper price as well. You also need to do a lot of research beforehand and you also need a bit of guts (leaks are a real danger and without proper sealing you run the risk of ruining your entire system). It's the only way to go for a truly high-end system though, IMHO. I figure if I want to keep a top-notch gaming system I'd have to go liquid sooner or later (I decided sooner). Of course from now on all my GPUs (and CPUs) will have water-blocks on them (I ain't ever going back to air-cooling ).

Anyways, something to consider if you really hate fan noise.

 

[Phil]

Im the opposite. I have 7 fans on top of my loop . I did break the 25C barrier though...22C ftw :evil:. Though I cheated and chilled my radiator

 

[makotech222]

but with watercooling doesnt it require maitenance every few months too? i thought about water cooling as well..

 

[Phil]

Really depends on the setup. Do only maintenance you do really is cleaning out the dust from the radiator

 

[Demigod]

Yeah, I haven't done much maintenance on my system since I got it (a little over two months ago). I mostly just monitor the water level and the temperature.

Im the opposite. I have 7 fans on top of my loop . I did break the 25C barrier though...22C ftw :evil:. Though I cheated and chilled my radiator

Chilled your radiator oO. How'd you do that?

The only crazy thing I've ever done with my system is swap the coolant in mid-flight. I sucked out most of the coolant from the reservoir and then poured in chilled coolant that I kept in the fridge for a couple of hours. I then watched in amusement as the temperatures plunged and fluctuated. The effect didn't last long though, although it was cool nonetheless (pun intended ).

 

[makotech222]

hmm whats some good brand names and places to buy them from? i usually go newegg..

 

[Demigod]

Danger Den is one of the best places to go, they deal exclusively in water-cooling and sell a wide range of products, including GPU waterblocks for most mid to high-end ATI and Nvidia cards (they have the DD-Tieton for the GeForce 260 ).

 

[Phil]

Yeah, I haven't done much maintenance on my system since I got it (a little over two months ago). I mostly just monitor the water level and the temperature.


Chilled your radiator oO. How'd you do that?

The only crazy thing I've ever done with my system is swap the coolant in mid-flight. I sucked out most of the coolant from the reservoir and then poured in chilled coolant that I kept in the fridge for a couple of hours. I then watched in amusement as the temperatures plunged and fluctuated. The effect didn't last long though, although it was cool nonetheless (pun intended ).

Opened my back door in the winter. Also you can accomplish this by utilizing a dorm sized freezer (only if you rad is external.)

Danger Den has some good stuff like Delrin water blocks and such, but don't religiously stick to them. Some other companies have better products at lower prices

 

[makotech222]

yikes $200 for cooling? i dunno about that. i think ill go with the 120mm fans lol.

 

[Demigod]

yikes $200 for cooling? i dunno about that. i think ill go with the 120mm fans lol.

Yes, price is the main drawback to a water-cooled system. It's certainly not for those on a low budget. In reality water-cooling is only required for extreme circumstances, when air-cooling is no longer enough. For me there really was no choice since no air-cooling solution in the world would sufficiently cool my GPU without generating tons of noise, the 9800 GX2 being one of the hottest cards ever built. For most people air-cooling is more than enough, and those 120mm fans are very quiet. I'm not sure what alternate cooling solutions there are for a 260 though, might just have to stick with stock cooling for that.

 

[Phil]

$200? I spent $650

 

[Squall-Leonhart]

yeah but your one crazy ***** bro