Pictures of the CoolerMaster V8 HSF for my new rig

[Reschke]

First off I haven't bought a non-stock HSF in YEARS! I think the last one that I bought was one of the first peltier coolers back in 1998/1999 and even then those were not that much bigger than the stock ones that came on retail cpu's.

Well as many of you know the increases in core voltages and the decrease in the die size of the cpu have lead to increased temperatures with people using water blocks and even going as far as submerging an entire system in a non-conductive fluid bath for constant cooling.

So here is my first massive HSF that I just bought for my new i7 based rig.

http://s855.photobucket.com/albums/ab119/willnic/?albumview=slideshow

[AirFlyer]

Is that a TEC cooler? If so I'd be interested in hearing your cooling results with the hardware your using.

[Reschke]

It is not a TEC Cooler but it does have a fan speed control built into it that I will have to find a way to mount for external control of the 120mm fan. If I stick with the current case; that means I will have to cut out some part of the case and find a way to mount it to the wall of the case with a little knob sticking out. I have been thinking for a couple of days now about sending this current case (Thermaltake V9) back for one of these CoolerMaster cases. I am leaning towards the Scout listed below simply because of the way the interior seems to be laid out. Not to mention I would rather have the black interior to match my black motherboard with the EVGA X58 SLI LE.

Here is a review of this cooler. http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/cm_v8/

HAF 922 or 932: http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?category_id=18&product_id=2810#

Sniper: http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?category_id=1665&product_id=2882
Scout: http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?category_id=1665&product_id=2912

[AirFlyer]

I use the Zalman CNPS9500 for my Q6600 and it keeps it nice and cool, can't complain for the price.

As far as cases go I didn't see a price for those so it's hard to compare, but I use an Antec 1200 myself and love it, I've also heard great things about NZXT's Tempest case though I have no personal experience with it.

[Reschke]

The Scout is $99 and the Sniper is about the same with the HAF series cases running between $120 and $140 repectively at Newegg. I just got my GTX260 card today. I am going to take my time on this one since it will have to be an after hours type thing with three kids running around all over the place and a wife who just wants it done. I am going to try the Thermaltake case since I have had good luck and really like the way they do their cases but I am going into this build rethinking my purchase on the case. If I don't like it right off the bat I am going to return the case and get one of the CoolerMasters that I listed and a new power supply as well. I just am not an NZXT fan...I can't put my finger on it but something about them just doesn't click for me.

[Reschke]

This is the next step in the CoolerMaster family that has an integrated TEC cooler. The V10 and it is even bigger than the V8.

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/cm_v10/

[BaldEagl]

It is not a TEC Cooler but it does have a fan speed control built into it that I will have to find a way to mount for external control of the 120mm fan. If I stick with the current case; that means I will have to cut out some part of the case and find a way to mount it to the wall of the case with a little knob sticking out.

I put a 1.2 Ghz Intel Celeron CPU in a slocket adapter into my old Dell PIII system.  The fan on it emitted an extremely high pitched whining noise that I couldn't stand.  I bought one of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999047

As an added bonus, since my old Dell doesn't have motherboard control of any of the fans I also conected my GPU fan to it.  I used the rear slot mounting bracket although it also includes a 3 1/2" drive bay adapter.  Works great.

[Reschke]

Thanks for the information there BaldEagl. I was just thinking about using the dremel tool or my drill and punching a hole in the top of the case but if I can re-wire the switch into this it just might keep me good to go.