CPU Coolers, and suitable RAM for A64 overclocking..

[StormPC]

have u messed about with a decent watercooling system storm ? they trounce any air system going and mine is almost silent , i would have gone for a phase change if it wasnt fot the fact they have a compressor and fan where as i have no fans atall ....
well except in my zalmann psu which i will be replaceing with a fanless anyways

So you didn't click on my 2k1 compare eh? If you did you'd have noticed that my X800 XT PE was on water (a Zalman Reserator 1). Not a bad score for a card on room temp water with no fan. Room temp water doesn't "trounce" MY air cooling. Only chilled water or better beats it. Ambient is ambient no matter whether you're using air or water. 1 or 2 deg celsius is hardly what I'd consider "trounce".

The Neo 480 PSU is great! I love this thing. Also the Corsair PC3200 XL with TCCD works really well in the ASUS A8N because the VDIMM goes up to 3 volts!

[Thorsson]

Just make sure you keep the RAM to 1T. You have to get quite a bit of extra clocking to make up for going down to 2T.

All tests show that OCZ is the best overclocker, but it's also the most expensive. Look for RAM with 2-2-2-5 (ish) timings at a good price and then google to see if it's been reviewed.

[Thorsson]

As far as aircooling is concerned, there's no doubt that the XP-120 is top dog, but combined with a good fan it's quite expensive. I got a Zalman 7700 in the end, which is almost as good as the XP-120 with a quiet fan and a lot less money. Depends whether you want lots of noise.

As far as cooling is concerned you shouldn't ignore the case. I've tried lots of cases and did a pile of research before choosing my Antec P160 - the layout is excellent. It works extremely well (system temperature runs about 5C less than my old Lian Li with four 80mm fans), and with just two 120mm fans is pretty quiet as well.

[BlueMagician]

So, the choices of RAM are:

> OCZ 1GB (2 x 512MB) PC3200 Dual Channel Platinum Series EL-DDR REVISION 2 CAS2
2-2-2-5

OR

> Corsair 1GB DDR XMS3200XL Platinum TwinX (2x512MB) CAS2
2-5-2-2

OR

> OCZ 1GB (2 x 512MB) PC4000 Dual Channel Gold Series EL-DDR CAS2.5 REVISION 2
2.5-3-3 ?


And an effective choice of cooler would seem to be:

ThermalRight XP-120 sink with a Delta or Panaflo 120mm fan or the Zalman CNPS7700-ALCU Ultra-Quiet (which has okay reviews)..
(can anyone confirm that using a non AMD HSF will void warranty?)


I am coming across conflicting opinions as to whether PC3200 with tight timings or PC4000+ with looser timings is better for the A64-3500+ ... Can someone please explain HTT/Dividers on an AMD system...


Many thanks to all for your opinions on this, much appreciated,
S.

[Thorsson]

Panaflo = quiet(ish)
Delta = Small jet engine on full, and even if throttled back will not be quiet.

As far as the RAM is concerned the answer is that if you're going to heavy OC then just get the cheapest of those 3. If only mild or no OC then get PC3200.

[Chimpie]

As far as I know, all of the mentioned RAM are TCCD. Can't go wrong with those, u can overclock the h*ll out of them combining with high volts. It's worth every penny, if u intend HEAVY overclocking!!

[BlueMagician]

I intend to go as far as the CPU will let me, reliably, with air cooling, which I'm presuming is going to be from stock 2.2Ghz upto 2.4/2.5 ish. I don't want the system to suffer just because I tried to save £30 by buying RAM that's not up to the task.


1. The suggestion has already been made that I get low low latency PC3200, and loosen timings if I want to go higher on the FSB, but will 3200 go to 3700+ comfortably ?

2. If I were to go for the OCZ 4000 C2.5, and NOT overclock straight away, would performance at stock suffer any with the higher latency?


Opinions welcomed and appreciated (I'm nearly there... )
S.

[Thorsson]

1. Yes (plenty of reviews around if you want to check)

2. Probably - it's not set to run at CAS2, and unless you can get it there it will run slower.

PC3200 is best for AMD64 because you won't OC to insane FSBs. P4's are another matter.

[Chimpie]

2. Most likely the RAM is programmed (SPD) to run CAS2 @ DDR400 and CAS2.5 @ DDR500. *I think*

Never checked it myself, but I've read the RAM's mentioned are all using the same Samsung TCCD memory. They should *in theory* be able to run the same speed. U can't be sure, of course...

[Thorsson]

They are the same chips but use different PCBs. The 3200 are optimised to run at low latencies and the 4000+ to run at high FSBs.

[BlueMagician]

A big thankyou to you all - I think my mind has been made up..

I'll be going for the the OCZ PC3200 DC Platinum EL C2 R2 (2 x 512MB), and the Thermalright XP120 with a Panaflo 120L1A 12cm fan..

Can anyone tell me where in the UK to get the Panaflo?


<itches with excitement> YAY - new PC!
S.

[Thorsson]

Tekheads have them.

[BlueMagician]

Couldn't find the 'L' range (quieter ones) on Tekheads, but I'll keep an eye out thanks!


I've found 'Luxotop' brand fans, and if thier specs are honest, their R120 shifts 11CFM more than the equivalent Panaflo, at 1 less dB.. Was wondering if anyone has any experience of these?

Okay, I know this is getting really anal, what can I say, I have nothing better to do - until the system's built!


S.

[tfboy]

http://www.dorothybradbury.co.uk/ have the L1A in stock for £12.99 inc vat + delivery.

edited to say I've found the luxotop R120L on http://www.whispertec.com/Fan120.html in stock. Looks rather nice too, at £10.99 or a pre-prepared modded one for 7V giving 36cfm @ 10dB for £11.75. Those prices are ex VAT but you get free delivery I think

[BlueMagician]

http://www.dorothybradbury.co.uk
http://www.whispertec.com/Fan120.html

Thanks v.much! I'd tracked down the Luxo at the same place, lol

So, has anyone had experience of the Luxotops? I'm figuring they are ball-bearing based, whereas the Panaflo's aren't, so my fear is that the Luxo's will get noisier over time?


S.

[Betty_Swallocks]

Mine is a Luxotop and I've had no problems with it. It's running very slowly now thnaks to my T-Balancer so it'll probably last longer than if it was going at full speed. Still very quiet even at top whack of about 2000rpm though