Can this little cooler really be that good?
Now this may be old news but i'm currently in the market for a new CPU cooler for my Q6600 as it's about to go into my new rig. :mrgreen:
I was planning to get the Xigmatek HDT S1283 along with a backboard thing for the mobo. Then the other day i came across the Aska 965 (had heard about it but hadn't really looked at it. I thought @ £9.99 it isn't priced to bad and then i clicked on the Hexus review and saw it got some excellent results even compared to the Xigmatek S1283.
Now this leave me with a problem. Which one to go for. I'm very keen for the Aska as at the price its excellent and it's not to noisey.
My only main concerns are how its going to be overclocking (Its a B3 and i'm taking it up to 3.2Ghz on stock volts if i can) and the push pin attachment.
What do you guys reckon.
Re: Can this little cooler really be that good?
Highly unlikely you can OC a B3 to 3.2GHz on stock volts
My VID is 1.2750 and needs 1.4050V for 3.2GHz and then 1.5V for 3.3GHz
a 3GHz OC on any volts is considered decent for a B3, yes they suck which is why there was so much fanfare for the G0 stepping.
Re: Can this little cooler really be that good?
I've just installed the akasa 965 in the last few days, it's very good, cpu temp is around 17C on start and average is around 25 for an e5200 on a P31 motherboard. Push pin is annoying but if you attach it to the motherboad outside the case you'll be fine.
Haven't tried overclocking with it yet
Re: Can this little cooler really be that good?
I used to have this cooler and it certainly worked. I can't say for the Hexus review or for other's experiences with it. In my experience though, it's certainly a solid little cooler but it is exceptionally noisy. Perhaps I just had a bum version or installed it poorly or a less than sympathetic case, but despite a few weeks of tweaking with fan speeds, resetting the cooler and wearing earplugs, in the end it had to go.
Re: Can this little cooler really be that good?
If you are overclocking then I would get a bigger cooler, especially for the B3 65nm quad as it will need more volts for 3ghz +
Re: Can this little cooler really be that good?
Perhaps with a Q6600 a more substantial cooler may be needed as they run a bit on the hot side.
Certainly for a dual core the AK965 seems quite good.
Re: Can this little cooler really be that good?
The AK965 is very good value for money, but I'd go with the S1283 for a B3 Q6600.
Also for ease of installation you might want to get a bolt through kit, as push pins can be a pain at times.
Re: Can this little cooler really be that good?
S1283 would be my choice too.
Re: Can this little cooler really be that good?
I looked at the Hexus review a while back as I found the results very surprising, however I recently stumbled on this method of applying Thermal Paste to to the HDT Heatsinks:
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.ph...1&limitstart=5
perhaps this could have something to do with the poorish results from the two Xigmatek Heatsinks in this test - as generally they seem to get VERY GOOD REVIEWS (especially on quad cores).
Re: Can this little cooler really be that good?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CAT-THE-FIFTH
Perhaps with a Q6600 a more substantial cooler may be needed as they run a bit on the hot side.
Certainly for a dual core the AK965 seems quite good.
Q6600 is one thing, a B3 stepping is roasting hot, anything like an AC7Pro or Akasa will have the fan on full every time its given heavy load.
Re: Can this little cooler really be that good?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
davidcrofter
I looked at the Hexus review a while back as I found the results very surprising, however I recently stumbled on this method of applying Thermal Paste to to the HDT Heatsinks:
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.ph...1&limitstart=5
perhaps this could have something to do with the poorish results from the two Xigmatek Heatsinks in this test - as generally they seem to get VERY GOOD REVIEWS (especially on quad cores).
I'd not advise lapping a HDT cooler, it can be done but requires extreme care as it is quite easy to rupture the heat pipes and kill the cooler.
As always with coolers the real trick is getting the correct amount of thermal paste on them.
Looking at the slabs of paste seen in the hexus review I suspect this may of bee the reason for the Xigmatec under performance compaired to all the other reviews I've seen.
The gaps in a HDT cooler do actually help with over pasteing as they form gaps the excess paste can get squished into more easily than a solid based cooler, but looking at the hexus pic's you can still put on way way to much paste.
I would agree with others here, B3 setpping are not great overclockers and hotter than most.
I think the ak965x3 is going to seriously struggle esp overclocked, the 90mm fan will ramp right up to control the temps, I'd look at something else, esp a 120mm fan cooler if you want to keep the noise down.
While the xigmatec coolers are highly rated they have gone up a lot in price :( I\'d have a look around there are still older coolers that are very good and can be got for less.
Re: Can this little cooler really be that good?
Hmm I bought this cooler too. With 2 120mm case fans in my case somehow with a overclocked E5200 to 3ghz on a g31 mATX mobo it\'s 39 degrees C to 44 :/ I still think it\'s pretty good for its price though!
I did seat it properly though. Not sure why it\'s so hot. It\'s running at stock Vcore too :/
Re: Can this little cooler really be that good?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ulti
Hmm I bought this cooler too. With 2 120mm case fans in my case somehow with a overclocked E5200 to 3ghz on a g31 mATX mobo it's 39 degrees C to 44 :/ I still think it's pretty good for its price though!
I did seat it properly though. Not sure why it's so hot. It's running at stock Vcore too :/
Umm if you mean the AK965x3 then no that's not high temps for a 3ghz overclock on a e5200, also depends on what you set the PWM settings to in the BIOS.
Re: Can this little cooler really be that good?
Thanks guys' I'll guess i'll get the Xigmatek. I'll follow the link that davidcrofter posted but i'll doubt i'll lap it. Probs just apply the TIM in the same way. Going to use arctic silver.
As for the overclocking the Q6600 B3. I'm not to bothered if i can't get it up to 3.2Ghz i just thought it would be nice to get it there. I'll gues i'll aim a bit lower.
Re: Can this little cooler really be that good?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
edp33
I've just installed the akasa 965 in the last few days, it's very good, cpu temp is around 17C on start and average is around 25 for an e5200 on a P31 motherboard. Push pin is annoying but if you attach it to the motherboad outside the case you'll be fine.
Haven't tried overclocking with it yet
You sure your temp readings are right?
If they are, do you live in an igloo, as your idle temps are more than likely colder than the ambient temp in your case/house (which isnt possible).
I would also take any of the Scythe offerings before using the Xigmatec's.
They look bulky and are way way overpriced for only slightly above average cooling.
Re: Can this little cooler really be that good?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Pob255
Umm if you mean the AK965x3 then no that's not high temps for a 3ghz overclock on a e5200, also depends on what you set the PWM settings to in the BIOS.
I've heard people at around 30-35 idle though with higher loads than me. Maybe I just have a high ambient temperature?
Well either way, if you have the money, get something better, if not then this is is a good budget cooler I reckon then.