FYI neither of those are highest performers. For a listing of heatsinks ranked by cooling capacity when there stock cooling fan is removed (so they all are cooled by the same fan) see the following link: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article30-page1.html
Logically 775 can be used in i7 also they have recently reviewed a cooler that was made for i7. Personally I would only do WC if I am OCing and thus have not studied the HT with regard to OC ability but rather silent cooling ability for my HTPC that I am making this summer.
I would like to add that mounting systems tend to make a big difference in air coolers on the hi-end. This is because the HTs them selves tend to get very simular leaving major performance differences up to details such as contact pressure and the construction methodology of the HT.
The xigmatek i was thinkin about getting got some pretty good reviews
the S1283V (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233029)
PEW PEW PEW™
I GOT THE SAME RIG!!!!!!!!
BUT!!! with a EVGA 295GTX OC
PC SPECS:
Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD5 LGA 1366 Intel X58 3 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 support 3 SLI/ 3 ATI crossfire
CORSAIR XMS3 3GB (3 x 1GB) DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) 9-9-9-24 Memory
EVGA 295GTX OCed
I can say that that cooler will not allow you to oc and will be a lot lot louder than 30db like they claim. I would bet the sound at more like 40db and that is not compensating for turbulence caused by the HT also, actual CFM is more around 60cfm at best. I have an extensive chart that estimates real world fan performance from box specs so there is a method to these claims. If you want a heatsink that is going to let you OC, you need one that has more than 3 heatpipes a large surface area and great mounting pressure. I may have misphrased my previous post resulting in you misunderstanding importance of mounting pressure and those other things. I was not saying those are minor detailes to be overlooked. I am saying those are HUGE detailes to be wearry of. If you want to overclock you must take these factors into accound in order to ensure that you can squeez out the most bang for your buck.
I might be able to help more if you can answer the following...
How loud do you want the computer:
How much money can you speed on cooling:
How much do you want to overclock:
How long do you want it to run for:
How long do you want the computer to work:
How loud do you want the computer: doesn't matter, i use headphoens
How much money can you speed on cooling: 75-80shipped
How much do you want to overclock: as close to 4.0 as possible
How long do you want it to run for: until i buy a new one =)
How long do you want the computer to work: 4 years
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By run for I meant how long it will be turned on with out being shutdown.
As for sound this does matter with headphones. Trust me, the computer next to me can be heard though walls and doers to the other side of the apartment. If sound really does not matter getting it to 4.0 is easy as all you do is buy the biggest baddest fans you can afford and a decent heat sink.
Here is what I would recommend to get 4.0+ where sound does not matter:
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/78...?tl=g36c15s780 Exhaust fan.
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/70...?tl=g40c14s757 Heatsink
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/85...l?tl=g36c15s60 Use this fan on heatsink instead of the stock one
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/37...?tl=g8c127s447 Thermal paste
That should get you to 4.0 easily all within your budget. It should also come out quieter than my current system as you are only going to use two loud fans. But yea, that will cool it easily... all within budget!
(Note that you can find most of these parts for less at other stores, prices here are maximum)