i need a heatsink for my nf7-s rev. 2 (2500 barton). yes, i'm currently searching the archives, but the problem is: i'm finding so much info that it's completely overwhelming me. all i want is a decent aftermarket hs that will accept an 80mm or better fan (would like to try it with my tt smart fan2 before upping fan diameter), and i don't want to have to make any mods to get the thing to fit. my temps are currently decent (30-32c/idle, 37-40c full load) with the stock hs and a tt smart led or smart fan 2 in conjunction with a 60 to 80mm adapter...i just want the temps lower. am considering going with an alternative cooling type (prob. water cooling), but i want to see how low i can get my temps with fans before i get into anything else.

You'll want one of the AMD pimps to confirm this. however I believe the Thermalright SP-97 fits on the rev2 of nf7-s board. It will take a 92mm fan as well.

ZAlman CNPS 7000 Al-Cu. quiet as a mouse and cools like icewater....

thanks kr!mson and chrome rust. yeah, the more i read, the more the zalman sounds like the best bet, but i just juiced up my hs with a tt 80mm smart led and a chrome skull and crossbones fan guard...am sort of laothe to part with it. oy, will have to seriously ponder this. thanks again, for the info.

ok, quick noob question: the sp 97 specs. say that this hs if for 2800 and up proc. i'm running a 2500. will this present a problem (why is there a distinction)?

The SP-97 takes both an 80mm or a 92mm if you want to continue using your 80mm accessories. Perhaps throw a 80mm tornado on for the best performance in your case.

[Edit]: Good question. I don't know the answer. I'd answer but I use the intel version of that heatsink. You could always fall back to an earlier thermalright heatsink, check out the SLK series.

Here's my favorite link for seeing what the best AMD heatsink currently is:

http://www.overclockers.com/articles373/socketA.asp

Doesn't look like you could go wrong with the SP-97 or an SLK.

still looking @ the thermalright...it's just that the zalman is soooo darn quiet (argh, the age old question: form vs. function). either way, i'm gonna have to pull my mobo (just got the new mobo in), so i want to make darn sure that i get this right.

AWESOME link funkyfresh! thank you about a million times over.

answer to compatibility question:

Question 7:

I have an old Athlon processor. Can I use SP-97?

Answer:

Yes, SP-97 can handle 120W of thermal dissipation energy with ease when properly installed. If the motherboard can work with SP-97, your CPU will work also.

Question 8:

Can I use my new Barton 3200+? (Your specs says 2800+ up)

Answer:

Yes, SP-97 can handle 120W of thermal dissipation energy with ease when properly installed. If the motherboard can work with SP-97, your CPU will work also.

still don't know why they make the 2800 and up distinction, though.

The reason they make that distinktion is because the 2800 and up sounds impressive, but the truth be told reason is that they put off a little more heat than anything below that at stock settings, not much but a little. Also take a gander at the slk-900a by theramlright. Ive been running that with my vantec 92mm tornado for about 6 months now. Ive got my barty 2500 oc'd to 2.2mhz and i usually run around 36c on full load.

With the zalman hsf just remember you have to modify it a bit with a dremel tool or something.

thanks to all of the awesome pimps for the sage advice. as always, it is very much appreciated. i still haven't made a final decision, but i'm leaning toward one of the thermalright heatsinks. i'm gonna do some measuring and try to figure out how much space these things are going to occupy, and that'll probably be the deciding factor on model. will let everyone know how it goes. thanks again.

went with the thermaltake sp-97. this is a beautiful hs, and it was pretty darned easy to mount (with one exception: i had to notch one portion of the backplate to get it to fit around a standoff). i would love to tell you what my temps are, but i've got about a 10 deg. C variation with onboard monitoring (my best guess is upper 20's C at idle, mid to upper 30's C at load). sooo, i'll be purchasing a thermal monitor within the next few weeks. thanks again for all of the feedback and suggestions. as always, it is very much appreciated.

Ditto Sparky's recommendation.

Rob