Quote Originally Posted by dejanh View Post
This is what I'd like to know too...right now with Rampage II Extreme (0602 BIOS) and a Core i7 940, stock Intel cooler I cannot get over 3.4-3.5GHz to be Prime95 stable on 4 cores/8 threads. Still waiting on my TRUE, but if I cannot get 4GHz with it then I will likely want to go water instead...

What's the maximum reasonable speed expectation for something like TRUE or Noctua?

I'm starting to get the feeling 4GHz is not going to happen on air...not unless TRUE shaves off 20C when compared to stock cooler....

Also, what is a good water setup for this rig? Which rad/pump/block(s)? I have an Antec 900 btw...never done water b4.

I found that my stock cooler was not flat. It was a PITA to lap too. I had to take a special machined block I have that was just the right size and "reverse lap it by hand. If you do this make sure that what you use to sand with is very true...it pretty much has to be machined, and the paper must be affixed to it completely flat with some spray adhesive ina very thinn coat to avoid 'waves". I took the block and pressed it onto the opaper on a glass top on my workbench I have, but any piece of thick glass would work to make sure it was totally tru and flat.

Care must be taken to avoid any uneven pressure. It's a laborious process.

It also could be that the IHS is not flat, but that gets into seriously voiding your warranty. If that's not a concern lapping may help. Some have reported bad Thermal Interfaces.

Saying that I am definitle going water whether I have a cool running CPU on air or not. I'm one of the "cooler is better" crowd, and even if it would do 4GHz on stock air, I know that it might do 4.5 on water. I'm not expecting that much, but if I were to get it that would be great. I already have some of the parts here for water, but will testing first with air. After studying water cooling I sriously belive it's a more efficient way of cooling. It just takes a bit more care.