CPU Cooler advice (limited selection)

[baaj]

My wife just called me at work (with a slightly contemptuous sneer in her voice) to tell me that my DFI mobo arrived this morning! :shake:

 

Anyway, there is one last purchase I need some advice on: a CPU cooler. The stock AMD heatsink doesn't look like it'll cut it for light-medium overclocking. And the tiny fan is sure to be loud. I was hoping to go with water, but I'm alreday over budget as it is...

 

I've done my research but, of course, the stuff I want isn't available in China. (zalman, etc). Thermaltake is the only brand that I've found here that has a decent rep for quality/performance.

 

I really wanted to get the TT Blue Orb II (mostly for the bling factor, but it apparently does a decent job cooling & quiet too!) Not available tho...

 

Have any of you had any good experience with the Golden Orb II?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16835106062

 

There's also a passive cooled tower.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingRe...N82E16835106044

 

Lastly, there's the Big Typhoon, which I've heard alot of good things about, but it sure is ugly.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16835106061

 

My goal is to build a sportscar of a rig (balancing performance with a little bling) rather than an all-out performance musclecar (loud & ugly).

 

Thanks!

[racinjimy]

big typhoon.................

[black_dought]

If you must choose, I would go with the Big Typhoon because its giving you 54 CFM as opposed to only 34-37CFM from the Golden OrbII. It is exactly what its called though, BIG, so make sure you have room there in your case.

 

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread...4494#post224494

 

Should help you out more in depth, given you get a better selection going. Hope this helps...and have fun!

[Guest Loony]

I have the Big T also. Right now I'm OCing, at 2.7ghz and climbing, and load temps are 38c stock voltage. Idle is around 30c.

 

BTW I'm using ceramique.