CPU cooler + Case coolers question

[NIM]

I would like to make my PC even more quiet.

I already have Antec P183 case which already is pretty quiet. as it has two fans with 3 different speeds, along with a 3-layer side panels for noise dampening.

My Intel stock cooler is rather loud, and although it spins at the full speed, this temperatures don't look normal to me.

CPU Idle: 37 Celsius

CPU Load: 50-55 Celsius

CPU speed (2056rpm) constant

I have mount the Intel Stock cooler as is, without re-applying the thermal paste. See picture HERE.

Because of that I was thinking of replacing the stock cooler with Scythe Zipang v2. Unfortunately, this cooler isn't available in stores here, so I was thinking about Scythe Shuriken. Any experiences with this coolers guys?

Update: I've just found out that Sycthe Kabuto is available and should be a good alternative for Zipang 2.

Also, I would like to change my two 120mm case fans with Scythe Slipstream 120mm, but I'm in doubt, as Scythe offers several different speeds for this coolers.

Therefore you have it in 500rpm, 800rpm, 1200rpm, 1600rpm and 1900 rpm available speeds.

Since 800rpm isn't available, but 500rpm and 1200rpm, I'm in doubt on which one to buy. Here are some reviews of it.

http://www.silentpcr...age4.html#SS-SL

http://www.silentpcr...page4.html#SS-L

http://www.silentpcr...page3.html#SS-M

http://www.silentpcr...page3.html#SS-H

http://www.silentpcr...age2.html#SS-SH

If those have fixed speed, does this mean that I can't buy one with more rpm and then reduce the speed with my case fan controller?

Recommendations and advices are much appreciated.

[5eraph]

If those have fixed speed, does this mean that I can't buy one with more rpm and then reduce the speed with my case fan controller?

No, you can always undervolt the fan with your controller to reduce its speed. Most fan controllers are simple potentiometers (they vary circuit resistance to drop the voltage).

My suggestion to you is to choose the fan with the loudest noise that you can tolerate, then use your controller to reduce its speed when you want it silenced.

General tips:

• [*]If you keep your tower on your desk then choose the quietest fan that does the job. Personally, I'd never put my tower on the desk

Edited May 16, 2010 by 5eraph

[LUZR4LIFE]

Is there a reason why you are sticking with Scythe?

[Mr_Smartepants]

I'm not a big fan (no pun) of the "top-down" coolers. Generally those are better suited to flat desktop (horizontal) cases that don't take advantage of natural heat convection (heat rises).

Tower cases where the mobo is mounted vertically don't need the additional cooling around the cpu area because of the heat tendency to "rise" across the components on it's way to the "top".

You could do what I did here and get rid of the excess fans.

More fans == more noise.

Off topic: When I saw the Scythe Kabuto I immediately thought of Giants: Citizen Kabuto.

One of the most enjoyable games I've played. I still have it!

Edited May 16, 2010 by Mr_Smartepants

[ccl0]

i refer you to the definitive source for cpu coolers http://www.frostytech.com/

top right of the page theres a 'top 5' box.

you can find the Shuriken review here http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2247

or maybe look into something like CoolIT ECO or Corsair H50

[NIM]

Thanks for your answers guys.

@LZR

No mate, by reviews available on the net, Scythe seems to be among the best. In my old PC I had been using Glacial Tech Igloo 5750 which is unbelievably silent, but it it not available anymore and I've sold it with my old PC.

@Mr.Smartepants

I agree with you for top-down coolers as I have 2x120mm exhaust coolers in the Antec P183 case. So, I agree that a better option would be a cooler that would pull the heat from the cooler and then case coolers would move hot air from the case.

I have noticed that even though my processor hits 55 C during gaming there is no hot air moving out of the case, probably because my Intel stock cooler is also top-down.

Therefore, please link me to reviews for your cooler suggestions for my Intel I5 1156.

@ccl0

CoolIT ECO or Corsair H50 aren't available here in Croatia

Update. I was checking tower coolers that are available here and here's what I've found:

Cooler SCYTHE KATANA 3 SCKTN-3000

Cooler SCYTHE Mugen2 Rev. B SCMG-2100

Cooler SCYTHE Yasya SCYS-1000

Cooler ZALMAN CNPS10X Flex

Cooler ZALMAN CNPS10X Performa

Cooler ZALMAN CNPS10X Quiet

ZALMAN CNPS10X Flex, 133

Anything that you guys would recommend from the list. All of those are tower coolers.

BTW. since I don't plan to overclock in the near future. Would if be sufficient to use some massive passive cooler like ZALMAN CNPS10X Flex, 133 ?

Another update: This Scythe Katana 3 is a tower cooler and it's cheap compared to others from the list above.

Judging by this review: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article957-page1.html it seems that it is very quiet too.

Also, it should better work with my two 120mm case fans which would pull the hot air from the case.

[LUZR4LIFE]

I would go with any of the Zalman's, they have to he option for a extra fan but since you are worried abound sound go with the Katana 3. I am just not a fan of that design.

[Mr_Smartepants]

For the record, I have the Scythe Mugen (not the mugen2). It's a massive cooler!

The Katana3 looks interesting though.

If you're worried about cooling capability with these tower-style coolers, don't be. But you can always reverse the rear-facing fan so it blows in, then build a duct to carry the cool air from the rear fan, to the heatsink, then out the top fan. The problem with this design is the rest of the case air may go stagnant.

Edited May 17, 2010 by Mr_Smartepants

[NIM]

That is one huge cooler Mr_Smartepants , but since I am not an overclocker, I really don't need that kind of power

I've just enabled some CPU fan feature in BIOS. (I haven't remembered the name of it). and now my CPU fan spins at around 1050 rpm with temperature of 37-42C in idle.

During the UT3 game FAN automatically spins to 1800rpm and holds the CPU temperature at 50-55 C.So, it seems that CPU fan only makes that loud sound at 2000< rpm.

With 1040rpm, stock fan seems quiet and generally it is more silent now. One thing that bothers me is that I can replace the case coolers with another set, but I can't use the current speed control set.http://benchmarkrevi..._fan_switch.jpg

Also, I have noticed an oil on my both case coolers. Since my camera is currently borrowed, I've took a picture with my cell phone and will post it later on. Should I return those to the store and ask for another set of case coolers.I will post pictures in about an hour.

Here are the pictures of coolers, along with the tissue that I've used to clean those coolers. Looks like an oil to me.

[Mr_Smartepants]

Yup, that's definitely oil. If you hear the affected fans making a "growling" noise, definitely take them back to the store (you might get lucky and they'll swap them out).

Antec fans are good, but not the best.

Lots of good fans here to look for: http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/120mmfans

Reviews (from 2007): http://www.silentpcreview.com/article63-page2.html

Edited May 17, 2010 by Mr_Smartepants

[NIM]

Yup, that's definitely oil. If you hear the affected fans making a "growling" noise, definitely take them back to the store (you might get lucky and they'll swap them out).

Antec fans are good, but not the best.

Lots of good fans here to look for: http://www.quietpc.c...ducts/120mmfans

Reviews (from 2007): http://www.silentpcr...le63-page2.html

Thanks! Since I have cleaned the fans now, I should wait for the next round of oil leakage BTW, there is no growling sound, but the chassis seems a bit louder than the first time I was using it.

Thanks for the links, but if I replace this default fans, I won't be able to use the speed meter at the back of the case.

Anyhow, since Noctua isn't available in Croatia, this one should be:

http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/120mmfans/s-flex120800

Those 2 pieces should be good.

I have used these before http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/120mmfans/sy-kazejyuni-1200, but they seemed loud. I still have those, but haven't tried it my new case.

Update:

Yup, all of the Scythe's from the provided list are available here.

[NIM]

That's a good link.

This one seems interesting, but I'm not sure if the airflow of 33.5 CFM would be sufficient, although it could as I am currently using P183 fans at lowest speed.

http://www.quietpc.c...ns/s-flex120800

If someone thinks that I'm a Scythe fan, then please check that I don't have much options here

http://www.links.hr/...tegorija=050908

BTW. I've sent a mail to Antec support to see what they will have to say about this oil leakage.

[ccl0]

Scythe makes good products.

do they sell Noctua stuff over there? i think that company is from Sweden or something, so maybe they have it in your area

[NIM]

Scythe makes good products.

do they sell Noctua stuff over there? i think that company is from Sweden or something, so maybe they have it in your area

No, I've checked all the stores, Noctua isn't available here. Mostly Scythe and Zalman. Thermaltake here and there maybe..