Specific cooling suggestions for my system

[_WBaS_]

Please refer to my signature for my system specs.

I'm looking to cool AND quiet my system. I do overclock so this is of first importance. Secondly, I want to be as quiet as possible while having solid performance. I'd like to crank my vcore up on my CPU to 1.5v-1.55v, hoping that I can get over 3.3Ghz and keep my max load temps under 55C (to me max load is orthos for 40mins small ftt test). I also don't like the idea of hanging a 2lb HSF from my mobo, but I guess if that's needed to get the performance and noise requirements then I have no choice.

Which heatsinks do you recommend for these conditions I've read many reviews on HSF's and have come across a few that I'm curious about, mainly the Thermaltake Big Typhoon VX, Thermalright Ultra-120, Scythe Andy Samerai, Tuniq Tower, Arctic Freezer 64 pro, Thermaltake V1, and Zalman 9500 AM2, (I think the gemini is just too heavy).

For a case I think I really like the Antec Solo. Once again, I'm looking for a well performing quiet system that I can overclock with. I've also looked at the antec p180/182, antec 900, thermaltake armor, thermaltake soprano dx, and coolermaster 690. Would I have HSF clearance issues with the Solo

For my GFX card I'm thinking about getting the Thermalright HR-03 or the Zalman vf900. I overclock my card as well (I don't plan to volt mod or anything though). I hope to quiet it down and cool it more in hopes to get a higher overclock. I'd like to keep my load temps under 70C. I can't decide if the HR-03 is overkill for my needs. The vf900 might do just fine.

As far as prices go, I'd like to get the best bang for my buck while getting the performance I need. I don't need the very best, just enough to cool my cpu with those conditions mentioned above.

Sorry for being long winded! I appreciate your suggestions!

[One4yu2c]

Cooler
Unfortunately, you're going to be very hard pressed to find an air cooler capable of maintaining load temps under 55C with a 1.55 vCore, while also running quiet. With that in mind, would you be willing to consider water cooling?

Case
Let me strongly urge you to drop the P180/P182 from contention. It's a great case as far as noise is concerned, but the cooling prowess leaves a lot to be desired, as does the cable management scheme. I've reviewed the P182, which you can read HERE (the scoring was actually pretty generous), as well as the followup thread starting with THIS POST.

If you're looking to balance noise control with cooling potential, take a long look at the Antec 900 case. It uses the same tri-cool fans as found on the P182, so it's nearly as quiet when set to low or medium (both the P182 and Antec 900 become noticeably more audible with the fans set to high), but it does a much better job with cooling.

The Thermaltake Armor is another great case worthy of consideration. Rich/Capper (HL site owner) had been using that case up until recently, and we'll see if he chimes in with his thoughts, beyond what's already been said in his review HERE.

And finally, I'd recommend taking a moment to browse our case reviews (LINK) to see if anything else jumps out at you.

[Yellowhello]

Yep, I'd do some water cooling if you are pumping 1.5v+ through the CPU.

EDIT: I have a Zalman VF900 on my GPU, and dropped idle temps by 10C. And it's very quiet.

[_WBaS_]

I've definitely considered water cooling, and even made a few posts about it on overclock.net... but after much thinking I decided against it. Here is why...

1) I am a college student and paying for college leaves me with little money haha
2) I travel a bit back and forth from home and college. Having to drain it/prep it each time would be a pain.
3) I don't want to have to worry about leaks.
4) A performance WC setup isn't much quieter, if at all.

On the cases:

I've looked at the 900 quite a bit. I think I really like it except the fact that there is no cable management. The price is decent, but not the best.

The armor seems to be decent as well. Might be a bit big for my needs though. Not to mention heavy. I only use 1x5.25" drive and 1x3.5" drive then the rest of my listed hardware. Since I travel a good amount, I'd like to keep weight down. This is probably the most expensive of the cases I am considering.

I checked out the CoolerMaster RC690, but I wasn't real impressed. It seemed like it would be too loud.

The Solo kinda jumped out at me. It seemed to have all the things I was looking for... solid construction, quiet (I like the suspended HDD, I might do that with any case I get), and cheap. My only concerns with it are cooling and space. Whichever case I get, I want to make sure it can fit a good size HSF.

I know I'm demanding a lot, and I don't necessarily expect to get everything. I know I will probably have to sacrafice certain things, but I'd like to hear your thoughts on how to get it as close to my ideal as possible.

EDIT: I have a Zalman VF900 on my GPU, and dropped idle temps by 10C. And it's very quiet.

Yeah I hear it's decent and fairly quiet. You mentioned your idle temps dropping, but what do your load temps look like? Do you feel it could handle a fairly high overclock?

EDIT: I also looked at the Thermaltake Soprano DX. I liked how the HDD cage came out, the looks, price isn't bad.

[Yellowhello]

I water cooling, and if you have it sealed up correctly, you won't have to drain it each time you move it... I can even tip my PC all the way over and NO leakage what so ever.

With stock cooling on the GPU, it was idling at ~45C, and now it idles at ~33-35C, and at load it's at ~50C, maybe a little higher. I'm sure the VF900 could handle a pretty decent OC, as long as you aren't really messing with the volts much.

[Quakindude]

Actually, cable management is simple in the Antec 900 due to the lower mount for the PSU. If you add a modular PSU, it's a snap. I'm not aware of a case that cools as well as the Antec 900 in the lower $100 price range. The ability to control fan speeds on all the fans in the 900 allows you to control noise as well. Each fan has a three position switch and so far, overclocking/temperature control in the Antec900 I have has been easy with the fans set to medium.

[_WBaS_]

Alright thanks yellowhello. I'll probably get the vf900 just due to the fact that it's cheaper. I do think the hr-03 performs better, but like I said... I don't need the best. Although it does appeal to me because it could be more quiet.

Quakindude, you're happy with your antec 900? If you could change 3 things with the case what would they be

I'd also like to remind everyone that I'm looking at HFS's as well. As stated my in first post I plan to overclock it and listed what I think might be my max overclock settings. I'd like this to be as cheap and quiet as possible (like most people), but I do want performance to come first. Which do you recommend Is there one that I have over-looked

Thanks again for all your help everyone!

[Yellowhello]

Yep, the HR-03 is good because you can choose your own fan, and therefore control the noise.

About cooling the CPU, I strongly thing you should water cool. With 1.55V going through the CPU, you really have no other choice...

[_WBaS_]

haha Then maybe I won't go that high. I would think most of those coolers could handle it though. The stock cooler maxes at 58C and thats with 3.21GHz 1.45v after 40mins of orthos. You don't think the mentioned coolers could cool it to 55C with ~3.3~3.4Ghz at ~1.5~1.55v ?

On a side note... I can't seem to get the fan rpm higher than 3000rpm. They mentioned on frostytech that they needed to short it or something to get it to go higher? Does anyone know how to get the fan rpm higher than 3000rpm? This is more a curiousity since noise is of some concern.

[Yellowhello]

Originally Posted by _WBaS_

On a side note... I can't seem to get the fan rpm higher than 3000rpm. They mentioned on frostytech that they needed to short it or something to get it to go higher? Does anyone know how to get the fan rpm higher than 3000rpm? This is more a curiousity since noise is of some concern.

Wait... I thought a higher RPM fan meant more noise?