PCA Forums

Currently using the stock one. Any suggestions? Socket is AM3. Really looking for something quieter. This fan cranks up to 5600RPM when the processor is under load, and it has a high pitch whine (not bearings or anything, just blades passing through the air.)

I have a coolermaster V8 on my 6 core and even at full tilt it only gets up to about 1800 rpm and is still quiet. that and it comes with a knob so you can turn it down and still use Q fan.

Noctua make quiet coolers:

Noctua NH-C12P SE14 (10 - 19 dBA)
http://www.svc.com/nh-c12p-se14.html

Noctua NH-U9B SE2 (7.9 to 17.6 dBA)
http://www.svc.com/nh-u9b-se2.html

I can't find the sound level for this but I'd bet this runs quiet also. It has a 120mm fan running at 1,700 rpm: CORSAIR CWCH50-1 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181010

Yeah, Noctua makes some good stuff. Bit expensive, but quality made.

Thanks guys. Anyone ever use "Sunbeam core freezer"? Its $15 w/ fan. Thoughts? I don't want to spend too much b/c I'll probably upgrade next year to an i7 and need a new cooler anyway.

CaterpillarAssassin wrote:Thanks guys. Anyone ever use "Sunbeam core freezer"? Its $15 w/ fan. Thoughts? I don't want to spend too much b/c I'll probably upgrade next year to an i7 and need a new cooler anyway.

The reviews on Newegg all say this is a good cooler. The max dBA is under 20 so it should be relatively quiet. The only con I saw is that it's big and to make sure your case can handle it. According to the manual from Sunbeam's website, you don't have to remove the motherboard to install it. That's a plus. The thermopaste that comes with it will be sufficient. Good find.

Yeah, good reviews mostly, hard to pass up the price. I'd check your temps after getting it installed. Looks like a few people got defective heat pipes.

Heck, it's almost worth it for the speed controller & fan alone.

I bought it. Should be here Monday. I'll give you all a report once it is here. Currently running anywhere from 47c no load, and up to 61c at full load. Hopefully it brings it more reasonable

Recieved it on Friday, and installed. MUCH quieter, although a bit of a pain to clip on. At full load, with fan set to max I can get temps around 47c. Only downside is that it is not a PWM fan, so no automatic fan control. They do give you a speed adjustment know to mount in an expansion bay, which I suppose is OK. Of course I knew it didnt have a PWM fan to start out.

Meh, you can get a PWM fan later if you desire. I kinda like manual control of my fans personally. Anyhow, I'd call a 14 degree drop pretty good.

CaterpillarAssassin wrote:Recieved it on Friday, and installed. MUCH quieter, although a bit of a pain to clip on. At full load, with fan set to max I can get temps around 47c. Only downside is that it is not a PWM fan, so no automatic fan control. They do give you a speed adjustment know to mount in an expansion bay, which I suppose is OK. Of course I knew it didnt have a PWM fan to start out.

Glad you got it mounted. You could always upgrade the fan later if you wanted to. 47c is really good by the way.

Yeah really for $15 you ask for anything more. Pwm is not a huge problem, and it's not worth the cost to buy another fan, really.

with the V8 on my 6 core its at about 47-48 full load and is nice and quiet.