For anyone looking for a CPU cooler!

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by MontanaFX

I agree, it went a little overboard in certain sectors, and probably should have used identical thermal paste throughout, although that isnt the most important factor and would only effect the temperature by a few degrees. But overall, it gets the job done and most importantly, all the info is in 1 place/article.

It was the most up to date and lucrative CPU cooler comparison article I could find.

The HardwareLogic Thermal Compound Round-Up - The Results
With 13 celsius between the best and the worst thermal compound, I can see some of the results getting easily misinterpreted.
Even a 5 celsius error is a rather big error. Consider the lowest temperature for the processor to be slightly over ambient (let's say 21C is ambiant for the sake of an example) and the highest load temp reached being 71 celsius, you have a 50 celsius difference. 10% error... ouch.

[theburan]

Hey, the cooler I have came in 2nd place. Sweet. I love that thing.

[halutzparilla]

i was just browsing upto p 67 and my eyes hurt already... God that review most of them dont make any sense to me....

[MontanaFX]

Originally Posted by polobunny

The HardwareLogic Thermal Compound Round-Up - The Results
With 13 celsius between the best and the worst thermal compound, I can see some of the results getting easily misinterpreted.
Even a 5 celsius error is a rather big error. Consider the lowest temperature for the processor to be slightly over ambient (let's say 21C is ambiant for the sake of an example) and the highest load temp reached being 71 celsius, you have a 50 celsius difference. 10% error... ouch.

You have well and truly proved your point. To the untrained eye, the Hexus cooler comparison seemed to be pretty solid, but on closer inspection, it obviously was flawed. It didnt seemed to ring true that the Thermalright Ultra 120 eX scored so badly.

I made my cooler purchase based on the results of that test and hope the true performance isnt to far off the results given. On a brighter note, the compound supplied with my VX is crappy white paste that will not be used, instead I have Artic Silver 5, which didnt do to badly in the thermal paste comparison.

I would love to see a well managed and true comparison test set up and by looking at some of your recent PSU reviews and the thermal compound comparison, I think your the guys to do it.

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by MontanaFX

You have well and truly proved your point. To the untrained eye, the Hexus cooler comparison seemed to be pretty solid, but on closer inspection, it obviously was flawed. It didnt seemed to ring true that the Thermalright Ultra 120 eX scored so badly.

I made my cooler purchase based on the results of that test and hope the true performance isnt to far off the results given. On a brighter note, the compound supplied with my VX is crappy white paste that will not be used, instead I have Artic Silver 5, which didnt do to badly in the thermal paste comparison.

I would love to see a well managed and true comparison test set up and by looking at some of your recent PSU reviews and the thermal compound comparison, I think your the guys to do it.

Don't be afraid, I wasn't trying to prove that the Typhoon was a bad cooler. I'm just saying, some coolers mights have got a lower score than they were supposed to, even when all fanboyism bias are set aside.

I've owned and still own a Thermaltake Big Typhoon in one of my rigs, it's a superb cooler. It keeps everything very cool. The only few down sides to cooler would be the fan and heatsink orientation (more or less negated by the PWM cooling properties) and relating to the orientation there's also the height causing a problem. While it will fit in most towers without a duct, often enough it will be relatively close to the side panel. Obviously this setting isn't optimal for air flow.
Stays a good cooler nonetheless and will always have a big soft spot in my heart. :P

Regarding the Ultra-120 scoring so low, it depends on many factors. I see they've used a Notcua fan, which are amongst the best fans one could get. I don't see any mention of RPM, CFM or static pressure though. Also, it's not an Ultra-120 Extreme. If you look carefully there's only 4 heatpipes whereas the Ultra-120 EX has 6. Or if you're a geek, you can also remember the weight like I did which on the EX is 790g. :P
Here's a review made by Anandtech showing the difference in performance using a higher static pressure fan between the Ultra-120 and Ultra-120 Extreme.
AnandTech: Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme: Is More Better?
I went for an S-Flex fan myself upon Tech Geek Deluxe recommendation (if not mistaken) and I'm glad I did. Since the fins on the Ultra-120 are rather tight together, you will need more pressure than most people will believe to get the air through it.

[MontanaFX]

Originally Posted by polobunny

Don't be afraid, I wasn't trying to prove that the Typhoon was a bad cooler. I'm just saying, some coolers mights have got a lower score than they were supposed to, even when all fanboyism bias are set aside.

*
Tries to be brave* Dont get me wrong. I didnt think you had hostility towards the Big Typ VX, I thought/think your problem lied with the review/comparison it self. Which I can fully understand, now that my eyes have been opened. My original intention was to help any1 looking to purchase a CPU cooler coz I know how tricky it can be trying to hunt down a decent cooler comparison. That proves that even if you think you have found a winner, you could be wrong.

Originally Posted by polobunny

I've owned and still own a Thermaltake Big Typhoon in one of my rigs, it's a superb cooler. It keeps everything very cool. The only few down sides to cooler would be the fan and heatsink orientation (more or less negated by the PWM cooling properties) and relating to the orientation there's also the height causing a problem. While it will fit in most towers without a duct, often enough it will be relatively close to the side panel. Obviously this setting isn't optimal for air flow.
Stays a good cooler nonetheless and will always have a big soft spot in my heart. :P

On the subject of the big Typh, have you had any problems with the clamp bolts. They appear to be the standard tool-less plastic push-in type, that just dont look like theyre up to doing the job of holding the weighty cooler. I havent yet fitted my cooler yet coz I have my Q6600 coming tomorrow and my P182 coming Wednesday, and didnt want to keep taking things apart.

Originally Posted by polobunny

Regarding the Ultra-120 scoring so low, it depends on many factors. I see they've used a Notcua fan, which are amongst the best fans one could get. I don't see any mention of RPM, CFM or static pressure though. Also, it's not an Ultra-120 Extreme. If you look carefully there's only 4 heatpipes whereas the Ultra-120 EX has 6. Or if you're a geek, you can also remember the weight like I did which on the EX is 790g. :P
Here's a review made by Anandtech showing the difference in performance using a higher static pressure fan between the Ultra-120 and Ultra-120 Extreme.
AnandTech: Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme: Is More Better?
I went for an S-Flex fan myself upon Tech Geek Deluxe recommendation (if not mistaken) and I'm glad I did. Since the fins on the Ultra-120 are rather tight together, you will need more pressure than most people will believe to get the air through it.

O yeah! I thought it was the eXtreme, you really need to notice small details in this game. I am getting there, but at a cost (Ordered a wrong item)

[halutzparilla]

i didnt realize there are two version of TR Ultra 120, and i have the 6 heatpipe version from Petra... well made and in a very hot apt this cooler play its pretty cool...

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by MontanaFX

*
Tries to be brave* Dont get me wrong. I didnt think you had hostility towards the Big Typ VX, I thought/think your problem lied with the review/comparison it self. Which I can fully understand, now that my eyes have been opened. My original intention was to help any1 looking to purchase a CPU cooler coz I know how tricky it can be trying to hunt down a decent cooler comparison. That proves that even if you think you have found a winner, you could be wrong.


On the subject of the big Typh, have you had any problems with the clamp bolts. They appear to be the standard tool-less plastic push-in type, that just dont look like theyre up to doing the job of holding the weighty cooler. I havent yet fitted my cooler yet coz I have my Q6600 coming tomorrow and my P182 coming Wednesday, and didnt want to keep taking things apart.


O yeah! I thought it was the eXtreme, you really need to notice small details in this game. I am getting there, but at a cost (Ordered a wrong item)

I can't comment on LGA775 installation for two things, I've used mine on a AMD K8 setup, and most of those I've installed were the original Big Typhoon (not the revised VX with variable speed control) which used an I shaped metal bracket with backing plate + screw to install. I'm not a fan of the pushpins myself, but most of the Typhoon weight is in it's base and I don't think the pushpins will be problematic.
On a side note, K8 installation is a pain for the original Typhoon. I'm glad they revised that.

[Capper]

Originally Posted by MontanaFX

You have well and truly proved your point. To the untrained eye, the Hexus cooler comparison seemed to be pretty solid, but on closer inspection, it obviously was flawed. It didnt seemed to ring true that the Thermalright Ultra 120 eX scored so badly.

I made my cooler purchase based on the results of that test and hope the true performance isnt to far off the results given. On a brighter note, the compound supplied with my VX is crappy white paste that will not be used, instead I have Artic Silver 5, which didnt do to badly in the thermal paste comparison.

I would love to see a well managed and true comparison test set up and by looking at some of your recent PSU reviews and the thermal compound comparison, I think your the guys to do it.

there is nothing wrong at all with looking at other content or recommending other articles to read....we do it all the time. We post other sites articles, link related articles in our reviews, and point out others work because we are here for you, and want you to have all the information you need to make an educated buying decision. Many times a site, us included, will take a certain approach to a product that doesn't help a particular audience, or that misses a key point. by looking around, and read as many articles as you can, you'll get a well rounded idea of what the product has to offer.

The problem with these hugely long reviews is that people aren't going to take the time to read the entire thing, even when many of the pages have 2-3 sentences on them........cut the fluff, get to the point. Another issue is that a lot of times these longer reviews are 90% fluff provided by a company foldout or press release and not anything the author thinks. I'm not being accusatory, or saying that that is the case here.....but it does happen.

[MontanaFX]

Originally Posted by polobunny

I can't comment on LGA775 installation for two things, I've used mine on a AMD K8 setup, and most of those I've installed were the original Big Typhoon (not the revised VX with variable speed control) which used an I shaped metal bracket with backing plate + screw to install. I'm not a fan of the pushpins myself, but most of the Typhoon weight is in it's base and I don't think the pushpins will be problematic.
On a side note, K8 installation is a pain for the original Typhoon. I'm glad they revised that.

Wow! I am glad the Big Typ VX didnt have metal screws in the end. It was such a tight squeeze trying to get those pins in. With metal screws it wouldnt be possible. Its all good now though. I finally have my q6600 up and running.