Which would you use?

GHoosdum

I'm putting together a Media PC using one of the new 55W XP2500+ Barton chips in an SFF case made by Antec. I'm going to be using a low-speed (30CFM or so) case fan on the HS. I'm not sure which heatsink to use on this CPU.

Would you use an ALX-800 for its higher surface area (but more restrictive) or an AX-7 for its less restrictive properties (but less fins)?

All opinions are appreciated!

mmonnin

I would go with the ALX-800 if it fits inside the case. Some of the SFF cases come with Heatpipe heatsinks since there is so little room.

edcentric

ditto, the fine fins will work better, even if they restrict some flow.
What does hte mount for the exhaust fan look like?
Are there a bunch of punched holes? If so cut it out and buy a wire grill. That will help your airflow. In a standard case it wouldn't matter, but since you are going for quiet every little bit helps.

GHoosdum

This case is an Antec Aria. It doesn't have the crappy heatpipe that the proprietary SFF cases have. Right now I've got an ALX-800 with a 1.65VCore TBred chip in it, and you can feel the waves of heat that this thing pumps out into the entertainment center cabinet. The only fan on the case is the 120MM exhaust fan on the PSU - there is some waffling in the case layer behind it. I'll think about cutting that out, since I think the PSU fan already has a grille on it.

edcentric

Is the back of your EC open?
Maybe a nice quiet 120mm exhaust fan in the back of the cabinet.
I have done that to my wifes computer becuase it sits in a closed space.

GHoosdum

Unfortunately, the back of the ec just has two holes for cabling to come in and out. The thing belongs to CB and not me, otherwise I'd just punch a big hole in there and ventilate it.