CPU coolers-how to choose the right one?

[gohan0032]

Besides the bigger the safer, how does one choose a cpu cooler to get the job done. My AMD 2500+ has a volcano 9, and while it definetly keeps it cool, I wonder if a quiter cooler could get the job done. Just looking at Thermaltake, there are so many different types of fans, and the specs for the fans are a bit confusing. Thermaltake has some fans that pull in air from all sides of the fan. It seems resonable that it would move more air, but isn't the point of a cpu cooler to pull air through the heatsink?

I would like some tips that would help me learn how to choose my own cooler, but I would also like to know what the quitest cooler (but still powerful enough for proper cooling) for a AMD 2000+ would be.

[TheMattrix]

Right now a really good fairly quiet cooler is the Thermaltake Silent Boost.

As for choosing a cooler, all copper ones perform the best, although the Aero 7+ Lite (all aluminum I believe) is probably the best performing aluminum one, rivialing some copper ones.

But the best way to find a good cooler is by looking into heatsink roudups. Many hardware sites have heatsink roundups for the year. Another way is if you see one that you like, google it for a review, and see what they think of it.

Thermalright makes the best coolers, followed (not in any particular order) by Thermaltake, Coolermaster, Aerocool, Alpha, Swiftech...

Yeah, and the last way to determine if a cooler is for you would be to post it here, and see what we have to say about it ;-)

[gohan0032]

O.k. I have been thinking a lot about componets for my budget computer. I have come to the conclusion that it would be nice if I could use the stoch cooler that comes with the processor. I know it will keep it cool enough if I stay away from over clocking, and I will. But what about the noise? I would think that enough people would have stoch coolers to answer this, but no luck. How noisy is a stock cooler for a Athlon 2000+?

[Vera-Tek]

I would suggesting look at : www.thermaltake.com .
They definetely have the best cooling systems around.
If you are willing to spend the extra money, go for liquid cooling (way more expensive actually), but makes absolutely no noise, and cools to the maximum power and will let you overclock. Just check out all of Thermaltakes products, also you can find good reviews on many different cooling systems.

[PCC-Wilson]

Thermaltake certainly has some great products. We do use a lot of them right on our website. We have found, however, that the best liquid cooling systems comes from Koolance. You can check them out here:

http://www.koolance.com/

And of course, we have them available on our website! :-D

[Vera-Tek]

I should look into Koolance, I always thought Thermaltake was the best.

[PCC-Wilson]

We actually had the Thermaltake liquid cooling kit option on our website about a year ago. We built a few machines with them, but were plague with problems. They just weren't up to par with the Koolance cases, so we decided to drop them.

[TheMattrix]

Well, he was asking about the stock cooler for the 2000+, and the answer is: it'll work just fine if you don't plan on overclocking. Stock coolers are also generally pretty quiet. Not silent, but definitely not loud. Good thermal paste can make all the difference too. Check out Artic Silver 5, Ceramique or Artic Silver 3.

[PCC-Richard]

Stock coolers are also generally pretty quiet. Not silent, but definitely not loud.

I don't think Mattrix has heard the Stock Xeon Fans! :lol:

[TheMattrix]

...no I havn't...
But the stock P4 fan is pretty darn quiet.

[PCC-Wilson]

..and don't forget to turn on Q-FAN in the BIOS (that's for ASUS). Not sure what the other mobo company's call it.

[PCC-Richard]

...no I havn't...
But the stock P4 fan is pretty darn quiet.

Hehe. Lets just say that a chainsaw cutting into a volkswagon is a little quieter than the stock Xeon fans.

[TheMattrix]

Haha...I'll make a mental note of that, for future reference...in case I ever happen to get Xeons.

[Vera-Tek]

I should look into those fans. I was thinking about liquid cooling (I don't really need it, but it is quiet). My fan now I can hear down the friggen street.