Review: Thermaltake Volcano11+ (and install)

Little bit of a review, along with my installation 'woes'


I bring downstair my filebox, monitor and all, and open up the case on the big table...

going well so far..

I'm checking out the old heatsink, it doesn't look as clear which side is the "screwdriver side". I try, in vain, to use the screw driver on the non-screwdriver side, doesn't work. I unscrew the powersupply, voila, HSF comes off with a few tries... **much rejoicing, after a plethora of swears and "I'm gonna fuck this up"s.

I grab the Thermaltake volcano11+, disconnect all the extra wires, harnesses, etc.. and lube up the bottom of the hsf, and then wipe it all away (save the microscopic amounts), I cleaned the proc a bit, and then started coating with the Artic Silver (this took a while, i couldn't get a nice even coat, had to clean and retry)

So then goes installation, (its an 80mm fan) Its a big 80mm, and big heatsink, versus the original small 60, so its a tight fit, I put it on backwards, because i couldn't get it on one way due to big thing in the way, only partially covers core, boot to windows, running at 90c, remove power... Swear,

Retry, realize it was backwards, fix the coat, turn and manage to place even with Piece in the way, boot, 35C on full blast(4000-5000), 40C on medium(2800), 45c on low (1500rpm).

Its got nice gadgets on it, a 5.25" controller, that fits in a drive bay, or a PCI controller, or you could attach the temp sensor to the proc and have it autosense(i dont like that), or have none and run full blast (bad idea)



Pro's:

Cooling (down from 58-60 to roughly 40c, that's a nice 20C drop)
Gadgets (ability to control fan, control noise)
Quality (its a nice solid piece)
Sound (at lower speeds its very quiet)

Con's:

Size (it needs to be big, but gets in the way of mobo "transitor")
Sound (If you want max cooling, its gonna be loud, and more of a whine than a hum, fyi)
Not Dual Sided (only install one way, otherwize, the uneven bottom wont cover the core)


Conclusion: I'm very happy with this upgrade, It was my first HSF install, and went "fairly well". Its a good HSF, and definetely allows for more piece of mind.

Cost: $26 + 7 shipping from www.ocsystem.com


edit: http://www.ocsystem.com/thvo11xaedhi.html
23 + 3 (AS) + 7 (ship) = 33

Not Dual Sided (only install one way, otherwize, the uneven bottom wont cover the core)

that's really not a con because most heatsinks are like that.

I don't buy Thermaltake HSFs.

There are so many better brands now.

that's really not a con because most heatsinks are like that.
i guess, the other one just had a plain flat bottom, i guess its just newbie of me to not realize..


and data, i guess some preform better like the monsterous sk800 or w/e

I like the fan control with this, and 40C is great..It does the job well... i don't think i need something better.

I've heard a lot of good things about Speeze heatsinks, supposed to be really quiet and good at cooling.Cheap too, $9 on newegg, Im gonna order one

I've heard a lot of good things about Speeze heatsinks, supposed to be really quiet and good at cooling.Cheap too, $9 on newegg, Im gonna order one
i'm 90% sure that's the type i took out (said on the fan, i will check when i get home)

new one on medium is quieter, and much more able to cool it (80mm vs. 60 mm too)