Recommendation for CPU and Heatsink Upgrade

[firengine16]

I am going to up grade my CPU and Heatsink.

CPU Choices

1. X2 4400+

2. X2 4600+

3. Opteron 165

 

Heatsink

1. Thermalright 120-Ultra + 120mm x 38mm Sanyo Denki San Ace 102.5 CFM, 39 dBA

2. Scythe SCNJ-1000P 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink

3. ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 92mm 2 Ball Blue LED Light Cooling Fan with Heatsink

 

I am not so sure about the Zalman because of the mounting I am afraid that it will end up with the fan blowing up and that I can not point it with the fan going to the back of my case because of the Expert’s CPU bracket. If any of you have that Zalman on an Expert show me a picture please.

 

All opinions will be appreciated just tell me your choice and why.

[michaelzhao]

For the CPU, I would go with a 165. Make sure you get a good stepping. You have an Expert board, a board made for overclocking. It only makes sense you get a 165 because its more overclockable than the other CPU's. With a good stepping, you'll surpass both the other X2's.

 

Also, the 4400 has 2x1mb L2 cache. But the 4600 has only 2x512kb L2 Cache. The 165 has a 2x1mb L2 cache AND you can clock to the 4800+ even with a crappy stepping.

 

With a good stepping... 2.8 to over 3.0ghz easily.

 

I'm not sure about the heatsinks. Someone with more knowledge of air cooling should take this one.

 

But I would recommend the XP-120 over the other 2. The XP-120 generally gets really good temps (not that the other 2 don't). But I think the XP-120 gets lower....

[Guest MeDS]

I say three and three (3. and 3.)

 

I lowered my temp astronomically with this fan. but then again the INTEL fans aren't the best.

[michaelzhao]

Oh, not to mention the X2's really don't overclock that well, I forgot to tell you that in my first post.

 

So even if you buy a 4400+ or 4800+, it doesn't OC all that well.

 

Of course, the 3800+ X2 is a beast when OC'ing and its cheap. Excpetions to every rule...

[Angry_Games]

My x2's overclock quite well thank you, as do other X2's that have passed through my hands...

 

be careful about making blanket statements based on hearsay and 'other people'

 

my 4400+'s will all hit 2750 quite easily and quite stable, and the 3800+ will too (for me anyway).

 

I do agree that the Opteron 165 or 170 is the better choice, but please don't run around saying that X2's don't overclock well, especially since the X2's DO overclock quite well and they are extremely well priced these days.

[michaelzhao]

My x2's overclock quite well thank you, as do other X2's that have passed through my hands...

 

be careful about making blanket statements based on hearsay and 'other people'

 

my 4400+'s will all hit 2750 quite easily and quite stable, and the 3800+ will too (for me anyway).

 

I do agree that the Opteron 165 or 170 is the better choice, but please don't run around saying that X2's don't overclock well, especially since the X2's DO overclock quite well and they are extremely well priced these days.

 

Sorry about that happy. I should have clarified. By not clocking well, I meant usually not hitting the overclocks that Opterons hit. To some extent, we've started expecting high overclocks from Opterons. Which is true. But hell, I can even get 300-400 mhz from my Venice which is a decent amount anyways (nowhere near my Opty though)

 

And I absolutely agree about the pricing, they are extremely competively priced. 3800+ for 161? Hell yeah. Especially considering how a lot of the 3800's do really well. I don't know anything about 3800 steppings though...

[centy]

The ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 92mm 2 Ball Blue LED Light Cooling Fan with Heatsink looks like it would help airflow in any case, I would have got one myself if they'd been in stock.