need help finding new heat sink

[mrgonzo]

Hi all i am currently running a q9450 on an old coolmaster vortex tx heatsink as the hs that came with the cpu was, well... pretty poo, i dont want to stick with this fan as its about time for retirement.

is there any fans you would recommend for the job i have currently looked at 3 models but you guys know the score so any recommendations would be appreciated.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/136637/show_product_reviews
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/140478/show_product_reviews
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/127437/show_product_reviews

 

[Jaevric]

Check out benchmarkreviews.com's heatsink section. There are some VERY good heatsinks on the market right now at reasonable prices -- the ones you have listed aren't anything special and aren't considerably cheaper than, for example, the Xigmatek S1283. Which is one of the best heatsinks on the market.

 

[mrgonzo]

thanks for the link jaevric much appreciated

 

[evongugg]

Another link:

Top 5 heatsinks:

http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm

 

[aevm]

Between those 3, I'd pick the Ninja. I have one right now. It cools about as well as the Zalman but quieter. The Zalman would be my second choice.

The HDT-S1283 is not available at ebuyer, but Scan has it for only 22 GBP. It's a better deal than those 3.
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=700899

 

[zipz0p]

My Q9450 runs cool as ice using a Noctua cooler: http://www.amazon.com/noctua-NH-U12P-Noctua-CPU-Cooler/dp/B00117OGC4/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1214505404&sr=8-2

You can find other e-tailers that sell these through noctua's web page.

The Noctua cooler was reveiwed at: http://www.anandtech.com/casecoolingpsus/showdoc.aspx?i=3268&p=1

 

[aevm]

That's the best air cooler money can buy, IMO. 42 GBP at Scan.
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=768118

I don't know if it's worth paying twice as much, compared to the Xigmatek though. Maybe if money is no object and the more important parts are already good enough...

 

[rgsaunders]

The Xigmatek 1283 or the OCZ Vendetta 2 are both excellent coolers that give great value for your money. They are equal to the TRUE but at a significantly lower price. The Xigmatek has the best mounting system of the lot.

 

[aevm]

Do you mean with the retention bracket that's sold separately, or even without it? I couldn't find it at Scan or eBuyer.

 

[rgsaunders]

Do you mean with the retention bracket that's sold separately, or even without it? I couldn't find it at Scan or eBuyer.

With the retention bracket that is sold separately, the standard mounting is the same as the OEM Intel, the push pins that everyone loves to hate. They are ok, the Xigmatek and OCZ variants are sprung tighter than the Intel, ensuring a good tight fit, however it is recommended that you install them with the mobo out of the case, that way you can look underneath and verify that the pins are inserted properly and locked. You may have to check with a local shop and see if they can order the unit with the retention bracket.
The product you are looking for is XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket. Carried at Scan UK, http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=824662
Its in stock, works with the Xigmatek S1283 or the OCZ Vendetta 2, the 2 products are almost identical, although the OCZ is a slightly better cooler due to its enhanced fin design, the embossing decreases the effect of laminar airflow boundry layer, increasing the heat dissipation slightly.

 

[aevm]

Cool, thanks for finding it. It didn't show up when I searched for "Xigmatek" or for "retention" so I assumed it just wasn't there. My bad.

 

[RyanS2000]

I just ordered the Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer. $42.00 at www.coolerguys.com. It is rated #1 at frostytech and it comes with a 120mm fan with speed-controller that goes in a PCI slot.

 

[mrgonzo]

Thanks for all the replies and help guys, i reckon i'll take the OCZ vendetta 2 and that crossbow retention plate.

thanks again all.