Hey guys. After extensive Vista64 problems, i finally located the problem thanks to Sam and Deadrum. Now I am looking to buy a quality CPU cooler however there may be a slight problem: - I have a Q9450 on an EX38-DS4 Mobo with OCZ Reaper PC2 8500 RAM 2x2GB and as you know this memory chip is quite big, which presents a Cooler dimension problem. I should be looking for something of the same size (width) as the standard Intel and also looking for quality at the same time. I wonder if the Zalman CNPS9700 NT Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler would fit? And if it does what of the quality? Please give me your ideas. Many Thanks
How much space do you have between the stock cooler now and the ram ? Cause if it's enough then I would deifnantly go with a TRUE (Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme). It's one of the best right now, but it's kinda big. If you don't want to spend that much then the next best thing would be the Xigmatek HDT-S1283.
Yeah, the CNPS9700 is needlessly large for how well it performs, and will fill up with dust which is a nightmare to clean. If a Thermalright Ultra 120A or Extreme will fit, then go with that. It will certainly fit on an EX38-DS4 as I use the older X38-DS4 with that cooler and it fits fine - as for the RAM the board allows plenty of clearance between the two in all dimensions. If no luck, then go with an Arctic cooling Freezer 7 Pro. This picture shows how my Ultra-120 fits beside Corsair RAM. Because it still has to fit in a slot, the OCZ Reaper RAM is not unusually wide, only unusually tall, and as you can hopefully see from this picture, with the fan installed in a rather 'unusual' way, it does not overhang where the memory would fit. Yes, cables are a mess, I'm working on that...
One thing. Does the Thermalright come with the socket 775 pins or do I have to go through mad maneuvers to fit it?
It uses spring-surrounded screws and a backplate, they're not hard to install, but you will need to remove the motherboard to fit the backplate.
Would there be anything of the same quality with the accursed pins(I had a bad time with them first time around)?
Sam, i have been looking around and have a question: - I have noticed that the thermalright extreme doesn't come with a fan. Since you have 1st hand experience with these coolers, what fan would you advise(quality of course)? This heastsink deserves it!
Depends really. For ultra-quiet operation, you will still get excellent temperatures using a Nexus Realsilent case fan, as I do. For even more cooling performance but a bit more noise, the fan to go for is the Scythe SFF21F, I'm pretty sure a fair few people here are using the latter combination with superb results.
Sam, I normally buy from Eclipse or Lambdatek for PC parts but I doubt they stock these components. I see you have scan.co.uk on your signature and it seems they have both products. Should I go for it?
Yes - I have no experience of Lambdatek but Eclipse have given a few of my friends very poor service, so I tend to steer people away from them. Scan have almost uniformly been on time and reliable. So far the companies that are in my bad books are: MicroDirect Overclockers UK Eclipse computers Pretty much everyone else that's a big influence in the UK PC part retail industry I've used and had little trouble with - Specialtech and KustomPCs have exemplary customer service above and beyond the others.
Hey Sam. Just to let you know I ordered the parts today (Thermalright Extreme and Scythe SFF21F). If there is any advice regarding its mounting then I would very much appreciate that. Many Thanks
What I usually do is screw the backplate to the motherboard with the screws you're meant to attach the heatsink with, so it's secure, then put the motherboard back in place, then once it's screwed down you can remove the heatsink screws and plonk the cooler down on the CPU. I can't really give you much advice on the fan clip, it's far from easy, but I'm sure you'll work it out - either that or do what I did...
