QX6800 Quad Extreme Processor

[Ashton Lawson]

Hey guys,

I was just wondering, is it true that you should only use water cooling on the QX6800 processor?  Or is it alright to use, for example, a Zalman CNPS9700NT?

Just wondering, because I've seen some sites saying that only proper system builders can use the processor, and must use water cooling.  I find that a bit hard to believe, because there are no such things said on the Intel website, and when I Google it, I don't get much either.

Thanks,

Str!ker

[jimcooper1]

My X6800 is cooled by a Zalman 9700 and even when it's running FSX it stays under 40C..with an ambient room temperature of about 22C.  I don't know how much extra power the QX6800 takes but my guess is the Zalman would cope !!

Regards

Jim

[ctjoyce]

The reason most people water cool their high end processors is because they are overclocking the daylights out of them, and expect everyone else to do the same. A CNPS9700 will work wonderfully, a Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme will work even better.

Cheers
Cameron

[Ashton Lawson]

I tell you what, on overclocker.co.uk I saw a user review on the CNPS9700 NT, and they said that, even though people say the QX6800 needs water cooling, he tried it with the Zalman cooler anyway, and it worked.

Found it:

Reviewed by: Dove

Stuck one of these on a QX6800 - Which according to some sites needs Water cooling - The Quad-core monster runs at a wonderful 27-35 degrees (non OC'd) and I have no problems with over heating - Used the supplied thermal grease which seems to be very effective!

Possibly not the quietest fan in the shop but a nice green glow and great cooling more than make up for that.

So I guess that stuff about water cooling is just because their default coolers are $h!t3.  I'll definately be getting the QX6850 then.  Thanks Jim.

[Nick N]

[quote]My X6800 is cooled by a Zalman 9700 and even when it's running FSX it stays under 40C..with an ambient room temperature of about 22C.

[Ashton Lawson]

[quote][quote]My X6800 is cooled by a Zalman 9700 and even when it's running FSX it stays under 40C..with an ambient room temperature of about 22C.

[Nick N]

[quote][quote][quote]My X6800 is cooled by a Zalman 9700 and even when it's running FSX it stays under 40C..with an ambient room temperature of about 22C.

[Ashton Lawson]

that settles it then.  QX6850 is my next processor (unless something faster and cooler (temps) comes along).
and the CNPS9700NT is my next fan (unless something cooler (temps) and cooler (looks) comes along).

lol.

thanks guys

btw, sorry Cam, didnt see u there.  i might look at the Thermalright thingy, but im not sure if i can get them in Phuket.

[GunnerMan]

If the day comes when a CPU must be water cooled(wich it probably wont because it would be marketed to a VERY small user niche) then CPU companys will really need to rethink their design and fab process because that much heat means huge power consumtion.  Im going Under the ice though so idk 8-)

[ctjoyce]

Gunner:

The Core 2 Extreme, and Core 2 Quad /  AMD FX series are designed to be for the less than 1/2 of 1% of the community, so therfore if they need their own Nuclear poweplant and a liquid nitrogen truck to cool it, its not going to matter as the people buying them are willing to pay for the preformance.

Cheers
Cameron

[GunnerMan]

Well yes but the things that make an overclcokers chip is low power use and heat. Not many overclockers out there no matter how hardcore they are are going to want to use a water loop just for stock settings. If you get a chip that does 35-40C under water at stock your going to need a chiller, or a phase unit for any sort of moderate to high end overclocks. Now chiller and phase change units are not a good option for even the most extreme, because they require a lot of extra work and care. They can add up to 800w of power used per month, thats a LOT of power just for an cpu cooler. They also can make a computer horridly un-portable. Id rather run 2 dualcore cpus that can be cooled with air rather than 1 quad core thats gonna cause heatloads upwards of 250w