Ultra Chilltec review (dialup beware!)

[Grimmy]

So I thought I had a heat issue with my main rig and causing my rig to lock up while in game. I noticed that the temps were getting what I thought was pretty high for having my Q6600 overclocked to 3.2GHz. I've reached temps as high as 70C. I have always wanted to build a watercooled system, but I didn't want to have to tear everything apart, drain the water, ect. every time I added a new piece of hardware. Plus I been thinking of upgrading or rather putting a complete new system together with the i7 proc. So in the mean time, I came across this Ultra Chilltec heatsink. http://static.tigerdirect.com/pdf/Ultra_ULT33186_ChillTec_CPU_Cooler_Data_Sheet.pdf
http://www.ultraproducts.com/product_details.php?cPath=17&pPath=571&productID=571


I am still reading up on the TEC coolers and their pros and cons of using TEC coolers. I read a lot about how they can get cold enough (with the controller being modded or not having a controller at all). I desided to give it a shot, since www.tigerdirect.com (http://www.tigerdirect.com) had a 30 day like it or return it policy on this heatsink.

From the looks and dimensions, this things is HUGE! I wasn't too worried since I have a full size case, but was more worried if it would hit other components on my motherboard. I also had to remove the motherboard, since this is a bit heatsink, it has a bracket on the back to help with the weight, which isn't as heavy as I thought it would be.

That being all said, I took some pics during the install so those that might be thinking about it might have a better look at what's involved.

I have removed my motherboard from the case via the very handy slide out feature of the Thermaltake Xaser VI and had a nice open work area.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00843.jpg

Just a close up of my motherboard and current heatsink.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00843.jpg

Old heatsink removed.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00845.jpg

Close up of my Q6600 all cleaned up.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00846.jpg

Another shot of my Q6600 cleaned up.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00848.jpg

Parts that come with the Ultra Chilltec. Only thing not in the picture is a cable.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00847.jpg

Bottom of the Ultra Chilltec.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00849.jpg

Close up of the tec.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00850.jpg

Another close of the tec. You can see the transistor that is used to monitor temperature.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00851.jpg

The mounting bracket is installed, and just checking fit of everything.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00853.jpg

The thermal compound that I used on the processor.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00855.jpg

Applying thermal compound on my Q6600.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00856.jpg

Thermal compound spread evenly over processor.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00857.jpg

Setting the Ultra Chilltec on processor.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00858.jpg

Ultra Chilltec sitting on processor.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00859.jpg

Attaching thumbscrews.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00860.jpg

Tightening the thumbscrews.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00861.jpg

All the thumbscrews are tightened.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00862.jpg

The clearence between the Ultra Chilltec and first memory slot. You can see the wire attachments as well.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00863.jpg

Everything all mounted up.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00864.jpg

Wires all connected.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00865.jpg

Sliding my motherboard back into the case. Attached the power cable before the motherboard was all the way in. Just made it easier to attach it before it was all the way in and couldn't even see it.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00866.jpg

Pic of the controller for the tec, already mounted.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00867.jpg

Hooking everything back up and reinstaling cards.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00868.jpg

Everything hooked up and secured.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00870.jpg

Closer view of the Ultra Chilltec mounted and everything installed in the case.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00871.jpg

LEDs on the fan.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00871.jpg

Cover installed and how things look when it's running.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00873.jpg

Shot of the controller display right after power up.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00874.jpg

Shot of the controller after 45 minutes of operation.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/YFZGrimmy/New%20heatsink%20install/DSC00875.jpg


After testing for a couple weeks, the highest I have seen the temperature get on the controller was 35C. I ran a utility that told me individual core temps and they were off a little bit. However, it keeps my processor way cooler then what my previous Thermaltake heatsink and fan. I do wish the fins part of the heatsink was a little smaller, but I have the case room for it. After seeing the results of how much cooler my processor is, I am thinking about another system for my 2 GTX 280s. Time will tell on that.

Overall I am very happy with the performance of this heatsink. Temps are more then cut in half during gaming. Also no mess to deal with, as in watercooling. Even though it does cover my first stick of ram, I am still able to get it out. However, if you have large heatsinks on your ram, it might hit the heatsink. I'd rate this product a 9/10. I don't like having to remove my motherboard to install stuff. It gets to be a pain to find out where all the wires go again, and have to find my owners manual to find the color codes. Other then that, if you want a good product that cools well, but don't want the hastle of watercooling, then definately get this heatsink!

[JIMINATOR]

thanks for sharing, nice photos! But you are using way too much heat sink paste. A lot that I have used have said that it should look like a thin film on the processor, not a pile of goop :) You may want to try that, might better your results.

[Slay]

Yeah, I would be scared the paste would go down the side and short out my CPU. Nice pics though. Massive heat sink, my mid tower would never hold it.

[OUTLAWS Tip]

Wow that is huge!! LOL

I bought a really big case for my next pc, so I wouldn't have any problems fitting that sucker in.

How is it for noise? My current pc is too damn noisy and I am wanting my next build to be much quieter. I don't care if it is loud when gaming but when just idling and browsing the web mine pisses me off.
:(

[Grimmy]

Wow that is huge!! LOL

I bought a really big case for my next pc, so I wouldn't have any problems fitting that sucker in.

How is it for noise? My current pc is too damn noisy and I am wanting my next build to be much quieter. I don't care if it is loud when gaming but when just idling and browsing the web mine pisses me off.
:(

I can't hear it over my other fans in my case. I think the loudest fans are the ones on my EVGA vid cards. I have them set to 80% at all times, cause they run warm. However I am thinking of getting tec coolers for them as well, and that would reduce overall noise.

The past on the cpu isn't actually as think as it looks. I scrapped a lot of it off, so I could try to get an even layer over the whole processor. However I don't want not enough, since the processor top isn't perfectly flat. I could lap it, but well I have a hard time taking a processor and wet sanding it. I've had this installed for several weeks now, and yet to have it go over 35C and it was really warm in the computer room.

I did see that they have one for the new 1377 i7 cores now, the V10. If I end up upgrading, I will definately be picking up another tec cooler.

[ME BIGGD01]

Nice setup Grimmy. I agree with Jim on the amount of HS grease. One little drop right in the center is all that is needed. Once you put the heatsink on it will spread perfect.

In my quad 2.4 system, I also run it at 3.2 Ghz. I have had it higher but do not see much of a percentage difference at 3.4 to 3.2 to want to make the system run hotter.

As far as upgrading, I don't think you will get the boost you think you might expect with the apps you use. I think the Core2 is still a keeper for a year ot 2 more. The I7 is good but I honestly feel it's over kill considering the overall expense for the so called upgrade. I would only suggest it if you were just building a new machine which you would have to do because you will need new ram DDR3 which is not perfected yet, new mother board which has a price premium right now and the first revision cpu which will be better and even lower power in the next few Qtrs.

AMD is just starting to roll out some new stuff and it is competitive to Intels line up right now but still wont out perform Intels for atleast 2-3 more qtrs. That's if they manage to last that long. I would still wait for the price war to start up which will happen considering the economy. Unless you do video editing professionally and use corporate software on your box, everything or anything more than what you currently have is over kill.

My AMD Quad core (I call it gimp) may be suitable for an upgrade. The only reason if I consider it (I won'T) would be that the newer chips run much better and doe not have the flaws along with better over clock ability. Honestly, would rather just wait a year or two myself because the market sucks and there is no other reason to upgrade.