Replacement CPU cooler, suggestions of a decent, quiet one?

bigben

bigben

Master Poster
Hi guys,

I currently have a Spire Thermax ii (or something like that). While it keeps the computer really cool, it sounds like a jet engine (you can't change the speed of the fan).
I was tempted to just get the super duper quiet one from PCS but it isn't offered to me in the upgrade system (I assume because it is technically a downgrade).
Does anybody have any suggestions please of decent ones? Not interested in water cooling. Budget of about £40/50.

Also, I have absolutely no idea how I would go about removing the current one...

Help would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
keynes

keynes

Multiverse Poster
I was tempted to just get the super duper quiet one from PCS but it isn't offered to me in the upgrade system (I assume because it is technically a downgrade).
Click to expand...
You could just contact them to request the super quiet cpu cooler. It will be cheaper than £40, I don't think you need to spend that much if you are not overclocking your cpu. I think you need to unclip the cooler from the back of the motherboard.
 
bigben

bigben

Master Poster
tom_gr7 said:
you should be able to control the speed of the fans, try using asus probe II, fan expert.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I've tried all of that. The fan speed can't be changed.:( http://uk.hardware.info/productinfo/99750/spire-thermax-eclipse-ii#tab:specifications

keynes said:
You could just contact them to request the super quiet cpu cooler. It will be cheaper than £40, I don't think you need to spend that much if you are not overclocking your cpu. I think you need to unclip the cooler from the back of the motherboard.
Click to expand...
Ok, thanks will get in touch with them. Do you know if they charge for carriage on upgrades?

Cheers guys.
 
tom_gr7

tom_gr7

Life Serving
Right, you have the spire thermax II, this one right? - http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2521

You should definitely be able to control the fan speeds.

The only way I've been able to do it with an Asus board, is using ASUS suite on the mobo disk.

- open it up, then click tools, go to fan expert
- then it should say CPU fan, (in a little drop down menu)
- choose that, then under setting is a few different profiles. IF you choose one of them personally i'd suggest Turbo. then click apply, and it should control your fans.
- OR choose "user". Then you get the little grid, and you can set how fast you want the fans at what temperature. Have a play with that. IF it works that is.

But remember, to not have them too low, otherwise your cpu might get a bit toasty.

It would also be a good idea to open up your case, and check that the two fans are connected to the CPU fan header on the motherboard - (cpu_fan header is generally at the top of the mobo, left of the ram.) check that they are plugged into that. Probably the two fan cables will go into a Y cable, then straight into the cpu fan header. - OR that is how they should be.
 
steaky360

steaky360

Moderator
Moderator
Are the fans just 'normal' 120mm fans? The easiest solution to me would be to change the fans if that's the case. You want 120mm pwm fans which will be controllable by the CPU header on your mobo.

Edit: The fans on the cooler seem to be 3pin... which might be why nothing is working so far.
 
bigben

bigben

Master Poster
tom_gr7 said:
Right, you have the spire thermax II, this one right? - http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2521

You should definitely be able to control the fan speeds.

The only way I've been able to do it with an Asus board, is using ASUS suite on the mobo disk.

- open it up, then click tools, go to fan expert
- then it should say CPU fan, (in a little drop down menu)
- choose that, then under setting is a few different profiles. IF you choose one of them personally i'd suggest Turbo. then click apply, and it should control your fans.
- OR choose "user". Then you get the little grid, and you can set how fast you want the fans at what temperature. Have a play with that. IF it works that is.

But remember, to not have them too low, otherwise your cpu might get a bit toasty.

It would also be a good idea to open up your case, and check that the two fans are connected to the CPU fan header on the motherboard - (cpu_fan header is generally at the top of the mobo, left of the ram.) check that they are plugged into that. Probably the two fan cables will go into a Y cable, then straight into the cpu fan header. - OR that is how they should be.
Click to expand...

Tried it, but still didn't work, thanks for the effort though.

steaky360 said:
Are the fans just 'normal' 120mm fans? The easiest solution to me would be to change the fans if that's the case. You want 120mm pwm fans which will be controllable by the CPU header on your mobo.

Edit: The fans on the cooler seem to be 3pin... which might be why nothing is working so far.
Click to expand...

Would this affect the cooler warranty do you know? Can you recommend good fans? I was looking at those yellow viper ones before.


Thanks for the help guys.
 
tom_gr7

tom_gr7

Life Serving
tom_gr7

tom_gr7

Life Serving
look at your picture, why isnt fan C spinning? unless it is, but just looks like it isnt?

anyway, yes that is correct. both fans connected to that pwm Y cable, then into the cpu fan header. Not the CPu opt header.

There is quite alot of choice and options for fans though.

Noctua NF12's are very good, as are some of Akasa's fans. OR Corsairs new range. OR bitfenix has some nice fans too

The PWM fans here (for cpu coolers)- http://www.bitfenix.com/global/en/products/accessories/spectre-pro-pwm/
or LED case fans - http://www.bitfenix.com/global/en/products/accessories/spectre-pro-led/
or plain black ones - http://www.bitfenix.com/global/en/products/accessories/spectre-pro/
 
Last edited:
bigben

bigben

Master Poster
tom_gr7 said:
look at your picture, why isnt fan C spinning? unless it is, but just looks like it isnt?
Click to expand...

That was a while ago, but sorted it now, it was just a picture that I had easily available..

I liked the look of those pwm spectre pro - looked at a review on youtube and they are silent!

Thanks, you've been really helpful, I'll keep you updated when the fans and cable arrive :)
 
bigben

bigben

Master Poster
Hi, just received the fan splitter, but one of the female bits is missing a pin, I assume this is faulty?
 
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