a little XP cooler advice, please

[augidog]

i'm getting ready for next month's purchases, and don't want to forget anything.

i'll be getting a AthlonXP 2500+ (i'm new to K7's) that may clock on my board to 3200+, so i want to cool it as best as my budget will allow. 80mm fans are too tight a fit (mini-ATX case), so i'm going 70mm.

i'm looking at this:
http://www.nexfan.com/nexfan03/evcucoacofrs1.html
this:
http://www.nexfan.com/nexfan03/evcoshforsox.html
& this:
http://www.nexfan.com/nexfan03/aral1byarsi.html

suitable? opinions?

thanks

[bombledmonk]

What is it that is blocking you from using an 80MM HSF?

If you can find a used Thermalright SLK-900A or 800A that would probably be a good bet, because they are basically the best Socket A HSF's ever produced.

Why are you getting a shim? XP processors and compatible heatsinks were designed to be used without a shim.

Here is a better Thermal Compound with free shipping.
http://svc.com/as5-3g.html

My main computer is still an unlocked 2500+ Barton which has a SLK900a on it. Before that I had this cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835150040 which fit nicely into my Aria SSF case(which is quite a bit more cramped than most mATX).

[augidog]

good info, thanks.

my case is pretty cramped, with a card in the PCI riser, it is a very tight fit for 80MM.

about the shim...i really don't know, that's why i'm asking.

the silver5 was one of my considerations, once again, i'm asking cuz i don't know.

[augidog]

the vendor i've been linking you to says (almost) exactly what you do...

"try to use a 80MM, recommends thermaltake (that's what he carries), no shim, as5 compound"

...he seems totally honest to me, so he'll get my business.

thanks, bombledmonk.

[bombledmonk]

If you can fit an 80mm by all means do it, but the key word is "if". Thermaltake makes some good stuff, but I prefer other brands, especially thermalright. An 80 or even possibly a 90mm fan "might" fit if the heatsink were shaped right

I would try checking the compatability lists on thermalright's website but something like this would be a great buy...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Thermalright-SLK...QQcmdZViewItem

[augidog]

yeah, but...this isn't to debate, just a good question (i think)...i know for sure the 70MM CUD-725 will fit, and isn't it a pretty nice '70', after all, being all copper & having a very good CFM?

[bombledmonk]

If you feel safest going that way, I will tell you that it isn't a bad choice. With AS5 and no shim it will easily suffice to get you to 3200+.

[augidog]

i think that's where i'm at, only because of space...no shim, & AS5, check!

thanks, i'll let you know how it goes when i get it all together

[augidog]

bombledmonk! wait a minute...that pic was not my board, that's a p4, right? that's 80MM of space there, right? right.

you're not gonna believe this, but now height is an issue, my case is only 90MM high total, leaving me room for about a 70MM high HSF.

[bombledmonk]

stay on course, get what you planned.