Which cooler???

[0iD]

OK, I have two collers to fit on my opteron (see sig). Firstly a Gigabyte 3D Cooler-Ultra GT GH-PCU31-VH, and secondly a Thermalright XP-120 (+120mm Xinrullian fan).

Now the XP120 probably requires me to hoof the mobo out, which I really dont want to do, beacuse everything is nice & snug & all cable tied up neat and tidy like. But if it's going to do a much better job then it'll be worth it.

The Gigabyte jobby however doesn't need major mobo mods & I can just pop it on & crank it up. I've read the Hexus review btw & it doesn't seem half bad.

So, which one is going to get the job???

[kushtibari]

Before swapping to a shuttle I was using an XP-120 briefly and I wasn't hugely impressed by it. Looking at swapping back to full size and was going to go for the gigabyte myself.

[Stigggeh]

i really like my xp-120, (had zalman 7000cu before it)

one thing i have noticed, it does not need huge airflow to keep it cool. i am using a low rpm fan and very happy with it.

[StormPC]

The XP-120 is much better than the Zalman or the Gigabyte if it fits. I haven't tried it on an SK8N but it works on most motherboards. You may need to go with an SK8V if you want to use the XP-120. I use only two A64/Opteron coolers. The XP-120, and in cases where size is an issue the Thermaltake Venus 12. I even run a Venus 12 in my Monarch Hornet case with an FX-55. Overclocks to 2900MHz+ stable.

[0iD]

Well I checked the compatability chart for the XP120 & it says the SK8N is ok. It's just the pain in the butt factor of removing the mobo. You know how it is, it's just how you want it, working flawlessly

[StormPC]

I didn't have to remove the motherboard to install it in my A8N-SLI. You really shouldn't need to unless you took off the backplate when you installed your Zalman. If you did, shame on you! You didn't need to.

[0iD]

I didn't have to remove the motherboard to install it in my A8N-SLI. You really shouldn't need to unless you took off the backplate when you installed your Zalman. If you did, shame on you! You didn't need to.

Well I haven't So i'm cool.

Cheers Storm! s'all I needed to know

[Grey M@a]

I don't have the XP120 but I do have the XP90 and I am highly impressed with it, its cooling my P4 3.2 Northwood at 29c idle and 38 load All thats on it is a 92mm quiet fan, its even better than my old Swiftech MCX4000 with 80mm Delta screamer

Go with the XP120

[0iD]

Kewl, am going with XP120

[0iD]

Well I've just fitted it. The 120mm Xinrullian was a bit fat so i'v tie-wrapped it on

Apologies for the rubbish photo, but it's only a cheap camera & the mirror finish of the case is reflection-tastic.

[Stigggeh]

Well I've just fitted it. The 120mm Xinrullian was a bit fat so i'v tie-wrapped it on

Apologies for the rubbish photo, but it's only a cheap camera & the mirror finish of the case is reflection-tastic.

air sucking out too ? seems to drop cpu temp 1c having sucking away rather than blowing, and seems to reduce case temp, due to back 120mm being close and sucking warm air out.

[Raggy]

I just built my first system and I'm useing a 120 on my winnie 3200, and I must say it was a holy terror to put on. But I'm a little worried about my temps, it's running about 35c, will it lower as it gets broken in? I'm not positive I put on the artic silver just right.

[StormPC]

35c idle or under load? What is your ambient temp?

[rajagra]

I'm a little worried about my temps, it's running about 35c.

What's the room temp? 35C is fine in absolute terms, anyway.

will it lower as it gets broken in?

A bit, but not much - unless you slapped the AS on with a trowel.

I'm not positive I put on the artic silver just right.

Nice and thin? Covering most of the surface? If so, that's good enough, don't sweat it.

[Raggy]

35c while still in the bios not really doing anything. I put the artic silver on right to the 'T' the first time following step by step according to the online direction given by AS. But while putting on the heat sink it slipped and I had to redo it. It being really late and me just forgetting I forgot a step the second time.. an important one. After you squeeze out about a rice sized drop on the center of the CPU you’re supposed to spread it out using your finger in a bag. It's the spreading step I forgot. Thirty minutes later while pouring myself some coffee I had an "oh sh.." moment when I realized it, but by then I had already hooked most everything up and I'm not sure I can take that heat sink off and put it back on again with out effing something up. I suppose if it seems like it’ll be ok (no problems thus far a few hours) I’ll most likely wait and redo it in a month or so after the whole system has stated to get broken in, because I do want to OC.

[rajagra]

I tried the plastic bag method. It sounds brilliant in theory, but I just couldn't get it right. So it was back to using the edge of a (maxed out ) credit card for me.
It sounds like it would be worth you reapplying when you want to overclock, but as long as everything stays under 50 or even 60C you're well in the safety zone.