Quote Originally Posted by EvilBellyLint View Post
So let's see:

* Thermalright Ultra 120 eXtreme: $56.95 on sale @ Sidewinders
* + Scythe S-Flex SFF21F: $13.95 on sale at Jab-Tech
= $70.90

- VS -

ZEROtherm Nirvana: $47.99 @ NewEgg

Price difference: $22.91

So as configured, the units Anand tested reflected roughly a $23
price difference. the TRUE (as tested) was 48% more expensive.

Follow me?

So now I'll take a look at page 6, as you requested:

Highest Stable Overclock

Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme: 3940
ZEROtherm Nirvana: 3900


Again, this is with the Nirvana using an inefficient stock fan,
and the TRUE using one of the best fans you can buy.
Yet, the TRUE manages a whopping 1% better overclock.

FACTS:

If you use the crappy stock fan on the Nirvana (and whom among us would)
the Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme manages a 1% higher overclock for a
48% higher price.

My Conclusion:

Replace the Nirvana's stock fan with a Scythe S-Flex, and it will beat the
TRUE by a couple degrees, match it in noise/performance, and still cost you
10-bucks less (and that's when the TRUE is on sale )

EBL
If you want to do a % comparison...you can't do HSF cost, you need to compare total system cost.

So on a $1500 system, the TRUE costs 1.5% more for 1% higher OC with less noise.

The Nirvana at 1600RPM will not perform as well as the TRUE--it's louder because the fan is faster.