Need a quick help from X-Cube/Q-pack /Q-box owner. What after market cooler can be use on an unmodded X-Cube ?

There seems to be a bar blocking high tower cooler to be use.

Appreciate reply. Thanks.

I wouldn't have ask the question if I wanted to cut the bar.

Anyway, I fould a few cooler tht MIGHT fit: -

1. Coolermaster GeminII S
2. TT Ruby ORB
3. Zalman 7x00 series
4. Coolermaster Vortex 752

Now, the word MIGHT is no good. I nid some confirmation from some owner here.

Thanks.

I hv exactly the same issue. The stock HSF was running in 1k RPM, which also amused me. I've set in the bios to run the fan @ max...but it still run the same. I'm starting to wonder...maybe stock fan was indeed only running @ 1k RPM. Currently, FL temp is in the region of 67-69C. Tht a E8400 running @3.2GHz (1.08v)

After market cooler is limited in this case. I'll need to mod the casing by cutting the HDD support rail if I want to bring the best out of this processor.

No cutting on the outside. I'll just keep the casing as stock as possible. Anyway, I've done with tht support rail.

Now...time to choose a decent cooler. I'm looking @ CM GeminIIS or Xigmatek HDT-S963. Any suggestion ?

Look at my previous post. I've said "I've done with tht support rail". Meaning...I've already modded it.

There is no problem with my comprehension of your advice. I wouldn't be asking if I'm not ready to take some good/bad advice(s). I do hear u bout tht air circulation. Now: -

There is no problem with the air ventilation in my casing. Even if there is, it doesn't warrant hole cutting. The casing temp is in the region of 31-33C. Now, that's bout 3-5C above ambient temp. It's fine.

HSF will maintain X temp above ambient temp. So a good HSF will have less variance(s) between ambient temp & load temp. Now, this correlation is only valid up the max thermal cooling effectiveness of the HSF. Anything beyond it's thermal limit, running with close/open case do not affect the cooling capacities it the HSF. So, it's easy to find out whether u got a air circulation prob or HSF cooling prob. In my case, it's the HSF.


tjay_tj,

Yup. With tht rail off...I got more option. I'm running an Asus P5N7A with a large chipset HS. Cooler will nid a clearance of 33mm to be on a safe side.

Darn...Intel. I was running an X2 4000 before this clocking 2.5 GHz with stock cooler & it was fine. Now this E8400 is hot.

Learn to read post. Follow the date of posting.

There are many Intel 'stock' cooler floating around. Unless u r looking at 2 identical stock cooler, comparison is hard. They become smaller & smaller each time.

Sorry if I wasn't clear enough in my previous post. BuckRoger is correct in the theory of air ventilation. I'm not saying he is wrong. I'm just saying I don't hv tht ventilation issue. Ambient case temp was 31-33C (slight hotter than bigger casing of coz...but manageable).

It was the stock Intel HSF. I don't know bout others...but my "stock" HSF is really small. The aluminium block (HS) is just 1.7cm tall ! I doubt it will perform even if the fan is carry 100% CFM due to good airflow.

BuckRoger...it's the efficiency of the HSF that I'm looking at.

I'll gv a simple scenario (say I got a very good airflow in the casing)

3.0GHz - 65C
3.2Ghz - 67C
3.6Ghz - 79C
4.0Ghz - 88C

Now if u noticed that from 3.0 to 3.2 GHz, temp only increase by 2C...but the a further bump is speed do not yield the same correlation. Despite the good airflow, the HSF simply do not hv the thermal dissipation capabilites to clear those hot temp. If airflow is the only variables in influencing the temp, there will not be any aftermarket cooler right ?

So my issue in the HSF efficiency. Not so much of a ventilation issue.

BuckRoger remains correct with the air ventilation. But looking at the HSF efficiency is vital as well.

Tht 4.0 GHz is with tht stock cooler. I stop the moment it reach 88C. If I continue...don't know if the temp will keep raising.

I've decided to pick-up a Xigmatek HDT-S964 2moro. I'll let u know how it goes.