Optimal hs + fan idea

[bob5568]

It seems from spending time researching cpu cooling, that the two top hsfs appear to be the prolimatech, and the new noctua behemouth. However, the Noctua hs is so big it appears to be a bit too big for convenience sake. one of its stats that kills the megahalen, is its noise level.

Since noise level has to be a function of fan plus mechanical fan structure, I wonder if an ideal purchase for me would be the megahalen ver 2, plus 2 noctua p12 fans.

I notice in the reviews of fans on frozencpu.com that some folks have lowered their rating from 5 to 4 for the p12, but that appears to be 100% due to folks employing the p12 for case cooling. They are complaining about lower than desired cfm. One of the interesting readings for me has been from the noctua web site in which they describe the roll of high dynamic pressure vs high airflow in a cpu fan vs a case fan.

In that article, they claim high dynamic pressure is far more important for cpu hs cooling than airflow, and the reverse is true for case fans. They designed the p12 for cpu, it has high dynamic presure and lower airflow, and the reverse for their s series fan.

Yet at 1300 rpm, the p12 claims to only emit 9db of noise, and testimonials claim the noctua fan cannot be heard at all. Even thou I'm trying to max my oc, I am part of a home office, and my mate would object to a loud hsf.

I'd love to hear discussion on the pros and cons of my selection process. Anyone disagree that the megahalen plus 2 noctua pc12 fans would be ideal for a serious 17 860 oc plus noise control?

B

i7 860@3.6(180x20)/ga-p55a-ud4p/4x2gb g.skill ripjaw/evga 8800 gts/corsair 520/lancool pc-k60/win7 64/ cooler master hyper tx3

 

[Shadow703793]

Anyone disagree that the megahalen plus 2 noctua pc12 fans would be ideal for a serious 17 860 oc plus noise control?

Exactly how quiet are you planning to go? I think that combo will do well.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The Mega doesn't come w/ fans so the reason that it oft gets knocked on noise is peeps don't bother to ask Prolimatech for their fan recommendations (which are 800-1200 rpm). Noise only becomes a problem when, given the freedom to choose their own fans, peeps throw 2000 rpm fans at it.

As for the Noctua's S12's there was a problem:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article63-page2.html

"An effective choice for a case fan, but the questions raised about its pressure make us hesitate to recommend it for use on a heatsink. "

Problem is the S12 Noctua's do great in a case with no air resistance but when they have to force air between all those metal plates, they just don't have the oomph to push the air thru. The P12's were suppossed to address this issue but I have seen little published in this regard. Also, where the S12's were advertised at 18 dba, the silentpcreview test measured 25 dba. zIn addition, the measured air flow dropped from 63 to 25 cfm after they revised their test procedures. Finally, at $21 a pop....I went another way.

I have twin Enermax magma fans (69 cfm @ 1500 rpm, 18 dba) which is more air flow with same noise, running at 83% 1250 rpm of speed and it's very quiet....could turned down even lower as CPU temps are in mid 50s at 3.7 Ghz and 1.125 volts. If I had to do it again though, I'd probably use the Scythe PWM model below. Right now I am running the Magma's off a fan controller because w/o PWM, the MoBo won't adjust speeds automatically. Originally was leaning to the Enermax Cluster PWM but like the Noctua, it doesn't serve well in HSF applications. Here's next build's buy list from frozencpu.com

(1) http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8807/cpu-pro-01/Prolimatech_Megahalems_Rev_B_Intel_CPU_Heatsink_LGA_775_1156_1366_AM2_AM2_AM3_Hot_Item.html
(1) http://www.frozencpu.com/products/7038/thr-41/Innovation_Cooling_Diamond_7_Carat_Thermal_Compound_-_15_Grams.html
(2) http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10026/fan-639/Scythe_Slip_Stream_120mm_x_25mm_PWM_Fan_-_SY1225SL12LM-P.html?tl=g36c365s936
(1) http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8418/cab-150/FrozenCPU_PMW_Y_Splitter_Cable.html

 

[bob5568]

Thanks for the recommendations! I wonder how one goes about adhereing to the warning on the splitter cable you referenced. It suggests you find out if your mobo connector can handle the power draw of two fans.

Ideas?

B

 

[Shadow703793]

Imo, connect one fan to a Molex and the other to the CPU header on the motherboard. Or connect the 2nd fan to a different header.

 

[bob5568]

on the ga-p55a-ud4p, there are only 5 headers. My lancool pc-60 has two exhaust top fans, one inlet front fan and one rear exhaust. When I add a pushpull hsf, I'll have a total of 6 fans.

I'll end up using a molex and leaving one of the hsfans on a header.


My interest was more academic than practical. Seems odd for a website to instruct you to make an assessment prior to using their product that no one knows how to make.

Cheers!
Bob

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Thanks for the recommendations! I wonder how one goes about adhereing to the warning on the splitter cable you referenced. It suggests you find out if your mobo connector can handle the power draw of two fans.

Ideas?

B

Information is readily obtainable. Wattage / amps available on manufacturer's web site. Amperage of fan headers should be found in the MoBo manual....mine handles 2 amps ...or about 6 fans. If not in the manual, which would be lame, should be able to find answer via a yahoo search

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/running-2-fans-cooler-36403/
http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/can-cpu_fan-header-ex58-handle-3-fans-34197/#post318451

 

[bob5568]

Thanks Jack!