Help me choose a Socket A HSF.

[Scarlet Infidel]

I have brought an old barton 2600+ out of retirement but the only heatsink i have is very small, very loud and runs too high for my taste.

I want to replace it with a quiet cooler where size doesnt matter too much. There are minimal case fans so nothing passive. I dont want to spend much mroe than £20 including postage. Im happy with ebay and remember that scan gives me free postage and im making an order with them later in the week anyway. Obviously the lower the price the better, this machine isnt that important.

Ive been looking at things like the Zalman CNPS7000B-AlCu and the Sythe Katana. Any suggestions? My motherboard does not have mounting holes.

[scrandman]

The thermalright SI-97 is also good, but is hard to come by these days. You would also need to buy a seperate fan.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/ still stock them I think.

Personally, I'd go for the Scythe Katana.

Edit: Direct link to overclockers added:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...right_120.html

[Scarlet Infidel]

the SI-97a is cheaper on tekheads but they dont have anything else i want so £20 goes up to £25 with postage. A little more than i want to pay.

EDIT: Looks like the Zalman isnt Compatible with my motherboard.

[amjedm]

I was at a computer fair today and www.leftclicks.co.uk were there. They had a number of Socket A heatsinks from Aerocool and others. Prices from around £10 IIRC.

Have a look on their website.

[mofo's]

I'd get a multi socket cooler such as thermaltake big typhoon, that way you can use it on other sockets when you get rid of your socket A system.

Good performance from the typhoon too!

[Scarlet Infidel]

Well i was leaning towards a multi socket cooler for that very reason.

Does anyone know if the SI-97 look a like from gigabyte is like? I could get that and put a better fan on as another option. I imagine itd be worth paying the extra £5 for the real deal seeing as id use my own fan.

Im leaning towards the Katana because its light, well built, should be cool enough and quiet enough and will work on later sockets.

Are the various aerocool tower hsfs any good?

[amjedm]

Are the various aerocool tower hsfs any good?

User reviews on silentpcreview were ok IIRC.

[piranha]

Recommend Thermalright.

[vaio]

Coolermaster Aero 7+ of any use to you?

[Scarlet Infidel]

Ive used a coolermaster aero before, it was ok but wasnt really quiet enough. Im not sure its in the league of some of these larger coolers.

[scrandman]

Does anyone know if the SI-97 look a like from gigabyte is like? I could get that and put a better fan on as another option. I imagine itd be worth paying the extra £5 for the real deal seeing as id use my own fan.

AFAIK, it uses a non-standard 10cm fan. This could be a problem if you're looking to change it in the future.

I have also read over at SPCR that the fan on the Katana isn't the quietest, however it is a standard 92mm, so can be replaced.