Battle of Coolers! (for Q6600 but in general too)

[[Dr. V]]

I've basically narrowed it down to 3 culprits;

1) Cooler Master GeminII with 2 ARCTIC 10.5-24.5dBA fans = $59.97 + tax = $68.37

2) Thermaltake V1 = $64.99 + tax = $74.09

3) ZALMAN CNPS9500-Cu-LED = $63.99 + tax = $72.95

They're all in a similar price range. Some would IMMEDIATELY say the GeminII. I mean - an amazing all around cooler with two fans is cheaper than the other two? But what's the best OVERALL in terms of cooling, efficiency with the corresponding fans, noise level, everything - THAT'S what I'm worried about! And, Q6600 may have specific cooling specs that lean towards one of the above three coolers. Thanks in advance guys!!!

[dedgar]

I am OC'ing an E6600 C2D with the Gemin II + two AC 120mm fans. Right now the cpu is at 3.22 ghz (7 X 460) and 1.35v. Running Linux SMP the temps are at 45-46C in a room at about 22-23C.
I vote for the Gemin II but makes sure you have room in your case. This thing is BIG. Mine is laid out vertically. One fan over the other rather than next to each other. Roughly half of the 2nd fan sits over the top of the video card.
Look at the review to see pictures of this thing mounted.

[Capper]

I would recommend the CNPS9700, I've toyed with the V1, and its a good cooler, but I've noticed most of these coolers simply don't cut it for 4 cores.

A great example is the Virtual hideout review of the Zalman Reserator XT.......at $570 it is incredibly expensive.....but it cools a Dual Core processor decently, not great, but decently......and can't cool a Quad for shit.....which i'll cover in our review next week.

[[Dr. V]]

Hmm...only reason why I didn't have the CNPS9700 up there is because it's so incredibly similar to the CNPS9500, but about $15-20 more. Is that worth it?

I mean...I guess it would be CNPS9x00 vs GeminII then...but the question is - which number replaces x?

In any case, if it's the 9700, price comes into effect as the GeminII with two fans is already cheaper than the 9500!

Thanks so far guys!

[Yellowhello]

I would say GeminII, but I'm just worried about the bad mounting hardware. If you like to take risks, go for it. It was a great cooler while it still worked.

[Quakindude]

Originally Posted by yellowhello

I would say GeminII, but I'm just worried about the bad mounting hardware. If you like to take risks, go for it. It was a great cooler while it still worked.

I've not said anything about this before, but I'll have to now.

9 times out of 10, a bad mounting hardware issue is a direct result of the user. These mounting screws have very fine threads and if you're off by a fraction of a millimeter, you'll strip them. Since your hardware went in once without issue, then it was very likely you got the alignment off a tad the next time you mounted it. This probably happens more frequently than we realize, especially as cooler sizes keep increasing and the angle of attack on the mounting screws becomes more difficult.

Technically, the cooler still worked. It was borked hardware that was the issue.

Did you ever try contacting Cooler Master for spare parts?

My impression was that one screw was stripped.

The only thing I'm trying to point out here is I wouldn't keep parroting the bad mounting hardware issue when initially, it worked fine. I've used a lot of coolers over the years and I've stripped out mounting hardware myself. Either the manufacturer sends me new stuff for free or, I go to Lowe's/Ace Hardware/Radio Shack and buy replacements.

[Tyreal]

I've always liked thermalright's stuff. Most of their coolers are smaller, lighter, and I get to pick my own fans.

I've said it before... I was never a fan of the Gemini. It's huge, heavy, and cools just as well as the thermalright at best.

[Yellowhello]

@Quakin': I did e-mail CM about getting some new mounting hardware, but i never received a reply. And yes, only one of the 4 mounting screws were stripped.

IMO, if the cooler's mounting hardware is hard to use or easily broken, then that's a flaw. They should have designed it better. I also agree that it was probably my fault that I stripped it, but were all human and we do make mistakes. If I did it, then I'll be willing to bet that someone else will do the same thing...

EDIT: Whats the point of dropping money on a cooler that is so delicate (or in my case, the mounting hardware so delicate) that you are afraid to use? I'm not trying to blame CM for my own issue, even if it sounds like it (if very well might have been that I am more clumsy or not as patient as most people) just something to be aware of.

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by yellowhello

@Quakin': I did e-mail CM about getting some new mounting hardware, but i never received a reply. And yes, only one of the 4 mounting screws were stripped.

IMO, if the cooler's mounting hardware is hard to use or easily broken, then that's a flaw. They should have designed it better. I also agree that it was probably my fault that I stripped it, but were all human and we do make mistakes. If I did it, then I'll be willing to bet that some else and do the same thing...

EDIT: Whats the point of dropping money on a cooler that is so delicate (or in my case, the mounting hardware so delicate) that you are afraid to use? I'm not trying to blame CM for my own issue, even if it sounds like it (if very well might have been that I am more clumsy or not as patient as most people) just something to be aware of.

I can only agree with you. A lot, but really a lot of the best air coolers out there got a horrible mounting system which most of the time requires a freaking backplate.

[Kent10]

Maybe this will help with your decision

ClubIT Product - COOLER MASTER GeminII CPU+Board Cooler RR-CCH-ANU2-GP Intel LGA775 & AMD Socket AM2/754/939/940 CPUs