Cheap, quiet cooling

[beppodmime]

Hey folks, need some opinions on this one. I'm looking to do a cheap build for a friend, and need some advice on a CPU cooler. The components I've basically settled on for her are an Epox 8RGA+ with a 1700+ in it. I was looking to use a Cooler Master X-Dream cooler on the thing, as I've used one before and they are a good quality cooler for what NewEgg charges, but they apparently don't have them in stock anymore. Used it for another friend's build, and adjusted all the way down, it kept the CPU pretty cool and was very quiet. I'm looking for something that will be reliable, quiet, and under 20 bucks. Any suggestions? Oh yeah, I'm looking to buy everything from one place, and that's pretty much going to be NewEgg.


EDIT: I'm looking at this cooler, the Thermaltake Volcano 7, linkage is:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...ion=35-106-011

I know that TT makes pretty good products, and this box will not be overclocked, so massive amounts of cooling will not be necessary. I just need something reliable and quiet. Anyone have this particular HSF?

[ben-the-slacker]

Well I've heard good stuff about Glacialtech's coolers. And this review shows that their quietness-to-cooling-ability are quite good.

If he doesn't mind having a loud fan whining all day and nite, Volcano 7 is good enough. But if noise is a factor, I'd stay away from Volcano since they make a hefty amount of noise. The V7 comes with an adjustable nob, so you can select the speed of the fan, just something fancy for people who wanna jazz up their computer. Even with it turned all the way down, it's still pretty noisy.

[Omardeth]

if you want good and quiet i would say the vantec aeroflow . works nice for me and is very quiet . it is about 30$ but i think it is worth it . i see you are in ca , fry's carries them and the zalman . both are very quiet . i think at fry's they are about 29$ but the glacial tech igloo 2500 pro is really cheap and seems to do well in reviews if you want cheap and work well . i have never used it but i have used the zalman and the areoflow . and i don't think it is as quiet as those 2 . i get more noise off the ps fans that the cpu fans with the areoflow and the zalman on overclocked systems . i like the areoflow best myself but i do plan on trying out the glacial tech 2500 pro next .

[DPA]

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...ent+breeze+462

i liked it so much... that i bought 5. not a good HSF for killer overclocking, but it'll take my 2400+@2700+ maxed out up to 50C. so it does its job.

did i mention you can't tell that this fan is on unless you LOOK at it

EDIT: oh one more thing, that fan goes about 2300RPM, not 2000RPM like stated. still quiet as ever.

[ben-the-slacker]

Heh, so I guess that review proves correct. I think that's what I'll be getting next time I'm in the market for a HSF too.

[Omardeth]

ya i am gonna try the igloo 2500 pro for my next build also .

[Tazzin]

One thing about the ThermalTake Volcano 7 (possibly other HSF's) ... and certain mobo's .. just installed one of these into a Soyo Dragon Ultra Black mobo with an AMD 2400+ processor...

If your mobo has three leads for the CPU Fan and checks for the Fan on the processor before booting up.. you will have to connect the thermal lead (yellow) to the CPU Fan socket on the mobo.. and the actual power connector to another fan connector on the mobo.

The computer would just start up.. fans spinning.. and give a long beep tone.. and the shut down... took alot of head scratching to figure it out.. but all is well now.