Review: Thermalright Ultima-90 ES vs TT120 (56k warn)

[Battle_Rattle]

Excellent... ty for linking.

My results aren't all that different from theirs.

The only thing I would take issue with (and this goes for any reviewer) is the explanation of TIM application. Essentially there is none.

Anyone would do well to go through the motions (and say so) of applying, reapplying, and only starting testing once the best temperature was found. No one really knows what they're dealing with until they've seen the new HS under multiple installs of controlled conditions.

Good to see they have started to share their vCore stats, that was a major weakness before.

[BIKeINSTEIN]

One thing to keep in mind when ordering the Thermalright Ultima-90 concerns the fan that will have to be ordered for it. I just received my Ultima-90 and found that the fan mounting clips only work with 1" thick fans; they hold the fan by the outside edge of the fan and not by the inside edge as the other Thermalright heatsinks do. I want to use either a 90mm or 120mm fan on the heatsink that are both 1.5" thick. I am going to have to come up with a way to attach the heatsink other than using the stock mounting clips. Especially since Thermalright support indicates that they only have the stock clip and nothing else that would hold the thicker fan. Why they didn't design the mounting clip to hold the fan in the "normal" position I cannot fathom.

By the way, if anyone has used a thicker fan and has a method of attaching it to the heatsink please let me know. Right now I am planning on using the standard wire clips with plastic ties. Or spacers of the proper length screwed onto the fan to provide mounting holes at the required 1" distance to allow use of the provided clips.

Pardon me for this.

I was looking at ultima pics and esp at the top where the fan holes are.
I think it has another set of holes to attach anoher fan.
Also was trying to figure out the width of the fan and the distance between the 2 locations for inserting the wire clips on the cooler.

Will you please try this?
Use the wireclips in the other set of fan holes to mount the same fan in the same position- esp the 92 mm ones.
Will this allow the wire clips to grab the inner edge of the fan?

[Battle_Rattle]

I think it has another set of holes to attach anoher fan.

It does

Also was trying to figure out the width of the fan and the distance between the 2 locations for inserting the wire clips on the cooler.

about 34mm

Use the wireclips in the other set of fan holes to mount the same fan in the same position- esp the 92 mm ones.
Will this allow the wire clips to grab the inner edge of the fan?

I understand what you mean...

The distance from the clip hole to the desired fan hole looks a little long. More than that though, the problem is the crimped heat pipes at the top of the cooler. The crimped heat pipes may obstruct the bend in the fan clip wires, and if it didn't, the bend may be completely gone. That bend is pretty crucial for tension on the fan.

You can always try... have backups though

[Ace-a-Rue]

it looks like you could use small or thin plastic ties to wrap around the heatpipe within the fins to secure a large size 38mm fan

[BIKeINSTEIN]

It does
about 34mm
I understand what you mean...
The distance from the clip hole to the desired fan hole looks a little long. More than that though, the problem is the crimped heat pipes at the top of the cooler. The crimped heat pipes may obstruct the bend in the fan clip wires, and if it didn't, the bend may be completely gone. That bend is pretty crucial for tension on the fan.

You can always try... have backups though

Thank you.

Hmmm...

Time to take a look at XP-90 or some other clips if they will suit the purpose.
Sidewinders does have XP90 clips for retail.

it looks like you could use small or thin plastic ties to wrap around the heatpipe within the fins to secure a large size 38mm fan

That is the ultimate solution- but wanted to give the stock clips or the XP 90 clips or custom clips a go.

Cableties have always been the ultimate saviour- be it cables or dual fans in push-pull or single fans.
Like using a Panaflo H1A on the AC Freezer 64 pro with a vantec 92mm rubber dampener and cable ties.
When its cleaning time- just snip them off- clean the fan and heatsink- use new ones.
Cheap and effective- so don't pinch the pocket too- you get 100s in the price of a pair wire clips.

[Ace-a-Rue]

i put this puppy on my quad core "G0" and i had to add 2 fans (push-pull) to make up the difference from Ultra-X....i have a silverstone 120mm in front and a silverstone 92mm pulling....the 120 is a 2.5K and the 92 is a 3.8K speed fan.

the 92 mm or 90 mm clips were not even close to being able to hold on to the fan...it was a joke!...finally figured out that i had to bend the points that covered the screw holes....the 120mm clips worked perfectly!

the under the board brace (back plate) and TR's solution to insert these base studs, with a rubber "O" ring for holding in position, is a COMPLETE JOKE!...their mounting solution at least from the bottom is miserable!!!...many thumbs down on that approach ...i had to use super glue to keep the base studs in position so it would not fall out from the back plate as i tried to push the studs into the mobo holes.

don't waste your money on this cooler...you would be better off shelling out a few more bucks and buying the Ultra-X...at least you can use a 38mm fan on that puppy!...AND...if you are into Xtreme cooling, just buy an extra set of 120 clips from sidewindercomputers.com and you can mount two 120mm X 38mm fans on the Ultra-X.

[evoic]

.....and there you have it.

[BIKeINSTEIN]

i put this puppy on my quad core "G0" and i had to add 2 fans (push-pull) to make up the difference from Ultra-X....i have a silverstone 120mm in front and a silverstone 92mm pulling....the 120 is a 2.5K and the 92 is a 3.8K speed fan.

the 92 mm or 90 mm clips were not even close to being able to hold on to the fan...it was a joke!...finally figured out that i had to bend the points that covered the screw holes....the 120mm clips worked perfectly!

the under the board brace (back plate) and TR's solution to insert these base studs, with a rubber "O" ring for holding in position, is a COMPLETE JOKE!...their mounting solution at least from the bottom is miserable!!!...many thumbs down on that approach ...i had to use super glue to keep the base studs in position so it would not fall out from the back plate as i tried to push the studs into the mobo holes.

don't waste your money on this cooler...you would be better off shelling out a few more bucks and buying the Ultra-X...at least you can use a 38mm fan on that puppy!...AND...if you are into Xtreme cooling, just buy an extra set of 120 clips from sidewindercomputers.com and you can mount two 120mm X 38mm fans on the Ultra-X.

I think you mean the Thermalright Ultra 120 extreme.
(or did you mean the Enzotech Ultra-X. )

AFAIK, the Ultima 90 was never meant to beat the Ultra120X aka TRUE120.
The OP has shown that it matches a TuniQ tower 120 or a Thermalright Ultra 120(non-extreme).
And that kinda cooling with the reduced height and weight is helpful in some cases.
And that performance is way better than the ultra90.

As far as the mounting is concerned, i think i will try using the TR Ultra120(non-extreme) plate on this if possible.

[Ace-a-Rue]

sounds good to me!

good luck with that alternative mounting...it should be less frustrating.

EDIT:...yes, Ultra 120-X

[Ace-a-Rue]

As far as the mounting is concerned, i think i will try using the TR Ultra120(non-extreme) plate on this if possible.

the Ultra 120 base mobo plate will work with the provided screws in the Ultima 90; just checked!...to bad i didn't think of that!

actually, i liked what i did with my Ultra 120-X for additional cooling affect.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=156422

[Ace-a-Rue]

just checked thermalright's page...they now show a separate Ultima 90 model for 775 socket mobo's...they must have seen the writing on the wall!...good for them!

[Start]

So those who have Stacker 83x, does it fit w/o removing any of the 4 side fans?

[noroger]

Great review, ill try to get a TT120 asap to cool down a quad.

[Z4P]

So those who have Stacker 83x, does it fit w/o removing any of the 4 side fans?

I have the 832, i have to remove the fan bracket that is directly above the TRU-E...but this is a bonus as i then used that to put another fan in the front panel

[pet168]

just hooked up the ultima 90 + silverstone FM123

[apexracing]

Finally have an Ultima-90 on its way to my house. Should arrive by Wednesday (or Thursday for those in Europe and Asia).

I'll post plenty of pictures and a report on how it affects my system temperatures.

[apexracing]

Good news, Ultima-90 has arrived.

The Beast:






Bad news, the bloke who packed it didn't include the s939 bracket, so I can't use it yet. I've ordered it from another e-tailer.

[64dragon]

its not supposed to include the 939 bracket, says on their site its seperate.

i got an ultima 90 about a month ago for my new am2 setup and it works great. i'm running push-pull with the 92 on bottom and 120 on top

[apexracing]

I'm aware of that, but it was included in my order, as an extra. At the last minute, my money for the supposed s939 bracket (the store had it confused with the AM2 kit) was returned and I ordered the correct bracket somewhere else. However, everything worked out and I'm using the Ultima-90 now.

[XSAlliN]

Finally - I FOUND A DECENT COOLER (in my opinion) for my future rig (hope it's done soon). All in need now, is a decent REV 2. for E8400 ...

[rockfella]

This cooler is really beast, HDT coolers have no chance to compete once voltage increased.