Either the i7 runs ways hotter than a Q9450, or I'm just unlucky.
 
I bought a Zalman 9500 (trusty, kept my Q9450 at ~65C @ 3.6ghz)
In a Haf X Case.
 
I'm not even trying to overclock.
 
I'm simply trying to run a 1:1 sync with my DDR3, which is 1600mhz.
So I had to raise the base clock (which is the biggest factor on CPU temp) to 160 x 20 = 3.2 instead of 3.06ghz.
 
So I'm barely even over clocking and hitting 80C.  160 x 20 = 3.2 FYI is much hotter than 133 x 24 = 3.2.
My observation is the base clock frequency stresses the CPU way more than a huge multiplier.
(why a 950 with a 24x multiplier is better than a 930, it runs much cooler at the same frequency with a lower base clock and higher multiplier)
 
Anyway, my trusty Zalman 9500 obviously isn't keeping it cool enough.
 
I just bought a CoolIT ECO-120 (before reading any comparison reviews) based on its high user rating on newegg.
 
Before I install it, should I return it instead?


Also I just noticed the rear CPU hole on my haf x case, covers the rear heatsink screws by about 3/4in, so I either have to dremel the case hole so I can swap coolers or take out the motherboard.  (took me 4 hours to put together properly this tri-SLI + physX setup)
 
So the question is...
Am I gonna be happy with a CoolIT ECO-120 (water cooler) running maybe 1800mhz memory, so a 3.6ghz clock rate.
- OR - 
What is the best cooler for an i7 1366?
 
-- I also ordered a Thermaltake Frio (air cooler), which supposedly was the best performer in a comparison review.
 
How does the CoolIT ECO-120 and Thermaltake Frio compare to the Zalman 9500?
--  Is there a better cooler out there I should get instead?
 
I wouldn't mind swapping the cooler a couple times if I had another 3/4in access behind my motherboard through the rear CPU mounting access....
[[ 
[ 
Summary:  CoolIT ECO-120 or leave the Zalman and wait for the Thermaltake Frio to come?  - OR - Is there a significantly better cooler for my purposes?
 
 
thanks in advance for any help.

+1 for the Corsair H70...:D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181013&Tpk=h70

Thermalright Silver Arrow.

loveha 

Zalman Coolers are the last thing on my mind when it comes to air cooling. 
 
...
TT Frio
...
Don't know much about the CoolIt Systems but from what I understand they are good as well. 
Even a CoolerMaster Hyper 212 is probably better than what you have now. 

 
Zalman Coolers have always been great high performing top of the line air coolers.  I guess the 9500 (the smallest model) couldn't handle the i7 (the 9700 and 9900 are larger).   I had to even buy an adapter to make it fit because the 9500 is like 5 years old.... I've had it on my Q9450 since I built it originally with a E6750, and at 3.6ghz 1800mhz 1:1 FSB:DRAM, it never overheats. 

 
 

hething

+1 for the Corsair H70...:D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181013&Tpk=h70

 
I was looking at that model and the CoolIT ECO-120 I just installed.  The reviews on newegg looked like the perform exactly the same with same results in temperatures.  The H70 had a couple bad reviews where people damaged the CPU installing it, and the ECO-120 seemed to have longer hoses so I got the ECO-120.  (I wanted to mount it on top of my Haf X, but there were no mounting holes)

awalp

loveha 

Zalman Coolers are the last thing on my mind when it comes to air cooling. 

...
TT Frio
...
Don't know much about the CoolIt Systems but from what I understand they are good as well. 
Even a CoolerMaster Hyper 212 is probably better than what you have now. 

 
Zalman Coolers have always been great high performing top of the line air coolers.  I guess the 9500 (the smallest model) couldn't handle the i7 (the 9700 and 9900 are larger).   I had to even buy an adapter to make it fit because the 9500 is like 5 years old.... I've had it on my Q9450 since I built it originally with a E6750, and at 3.6ghz 1800mhz 1:1 FSB:DRAM, it never overheats. 

hething

+1 for the Corsair H70...:D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181013&Tpk=h70

I was looking at that model and the CoolIT ECO-120 I just installed.  The reviews on newegg looked like the perform exactly the same with same results in temperatures.  The H70 had a couple bad reviews where people damaged the CPU installing it, and the ECO-120 seemed to have longer hoses so I got the ECO-120.  (I wanted to mount it on top of my Haf X, but there were no mounting holes)

 
I hope the CoolIT ECO-120 will suit you well.. I can only say that my H70 keeps my I7-930 @ 4209mhz cold.. idle temps in the mid 40's..:D
 
This is a link to my ModsRigs.. here you can see how I top-mounted the H70: http://www.evga.com/modsrigs/detail.aspx?buildid=22260 It wasn't that difficult to install..:D

fishys87

You ordered a Frio too? Might as well order the Rasa WC kit and a Silver Arrow. 


Those temps still look high @ 3.2ghz, unless your ambients are in the mid 80's.  I'm at those temps, but running 3.8 with HT on. I also have this fan:

http://www.svc.com/nb-m12-s3hs.html

Instead of stock..

 
Ambient Temps of 65C....  Maybe it is the case, it's a Haf X, even with its huge fans, my smaller mid tower with smaller fans seems louder and moving more air.  Maybe the air movement is the same over a larger volume and less dense, so quiet.
 
I have the radiator mounted on the rear exhaust with the fan pulling the air out.
 
I do have a video card / cpu crosstalk/crossheat issue.
--  GPU 1 runs 10C hotter than GPU 2, which runs 10C hotter than GPU3, which runs 10C hotter than GPU4.
--  So with 3x GTX470s, and 1 GTS450 in the case,
 
the CPU while running ~45C idle (after a long time) ~40C at boot for a half hour... makes the graphics cards run like this.....
GPU1 run low 50sC idle
GPU2 40sC idle
GPU3 35-40Cs idle
GPU4 25C idle.
The ECO-120 is performing good enough for now, with ~70C average after two hours of Prime95.  (15C lower than the Zalman 9500).
-- Still isn't cool enough to safely run 1800mhz or 2000mhz memory and the 180mhz and 200mhz base clock that come with them.
Could be the issue mentioned below...  Asus Rampage III Extreme not running Fans at 100%.

Another issue I may be having is it seems like my fans aren't pushing much air.  The motherboard has really mild fan profiles, and the Zalman 9500 may not have been at full 100%.  The case fans are barely audible.
I can read the RPMs from Windows, for the CPU on "Turbo" highest profile setting, not until 50C does it even kick in full load 100% fan.  
 
---- With the water pump connected to the CPU Fan, and the radiator fan connected to a motherboard AUXFAN connector my problem could be lack of the ability to run 100% fan speed.
Is this even possible?  It really seems like it is the situation, I'd like to run 100% fans with an Asus Rampage III Extreme.
-- Also the GTX470s are on a custom Fan profile I made, with 50-60% fan speed the air is exhausted out the back of the case, during and GPU load 100% fan profiles are sure to be creating excess heat the vents inside the case.
(There was only a single 200mm fan at the top, now there is a 200mm and a 140mm, and a 260mm side fan)
--- (also a 140mm Intake on the case front)
 
Maybe it's the case? Nvidia Haf X?  The 4 GPUs + Case + i7 being a hot processor.  I donno.
-- My Q9450 CoolerMaster NV690 with 5 120mm Fans feels like a wind tunnel.
-- The Haf X feels like a light breeze,
but the fans are significantly larger, 200mm, 2x 140mm, and the radiator 100mm? (and 260mm side fan)
 
The Asus Rampage III Extreme is the "Republic of Gamer's" edition board and came with an optional North Bridge heatsink/fan that is 2x the size of the stock heatsink without the fan.  (Previously my Zalman would have been in the way of this easily swapped)
 
Could the North Bridge be contributing to the temperatures? =/  3.2ghz @ 70C water cooled isn't breaking any records.
 
Another thought, I'd bet the i7 950 would run 3.84ghz (160 x 24) at the same temperature it does 3.2ghz (160 x 20).
--  The only time the temperature goes up is when the base frequency increases.
 
 
EDIT:  Is it safe to run a water pump on a CPU Fan connection that possibly doesn't provide full 100% power except during full load. (I have no choice)  
 
 
Also does the Corsair H70 provide any different performance than the CoolIT ECO-120.?  (Same basic design, cost, etc. )

I need some help with water cooling and some advise from water cooling experts!!  (my option B idea, see middle of post, and question at end of post)
 
Option A: Just sticking with a simple factory sealed CPU water cooler.
If the CoolIT Vantage 'Tweaked' mentioned performs a bit better than the CoolIT ECO-120 I have now.
 

Tweaked 

If you are looking to get even lower temps out of your ECO, add some aftermarket fans in push/pull.  I have the Coolit Vantage, and love it.  Coolit says that they revised the pump in the Vantage in order to double the flow over the ECO. 

 
 
So the CoolIT Vantage is a newer version of the ECO-120 that gets much cooler temps?
 
I'm maxing out around 70C which is decent, I planned like another poster suggested to add another fan on the other side of the radiator for a push and pull.
 
What temps are you getting with your Vantage? (on what processor)
 
Like I said, I just bought whatever had the highest newegg customer reviews (not the best method).
 
I like the CoolIT ECO-120, if I could get lower temps with a Vantage a similar price.  I will return my ECO-120 for a Vantage.
-- I'd like to know what the temp difference is between the two.
 
Vantage + another fan = easiest cooling setup. (Option A)
 

EDIT(2):
---------------------------------------------------
I found another review confirming what you said.  (Guru3d didn't use as hot of a processor as this review)
-- This review shows Vantage winning by 10C @ 4ghz i7 (explains why a cooler processor wouldn't show improvement in guru3d review)
http://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/zardon/corsair-h70-review-versus-vantage-nh-d14-4-53ghz/4/

---------------------------------------------------
EDIT:
---------------------------------------------------
All reviews I've read on the Vantage show it actually performing about 2-3C worse than the CoolIT ECO. 
The only CoolIT product performing better than the ECO was the ECO-240.
Guru3d Review:
http://www.guru3d.com/article/coolit-alc-vantage-review/6

I really love the Vantage pump though, the LCD temperature display is awesome.

I wonder why the Vantage performs worse with 'a better pump' and an extra fan.
-- I'm gonna try to figure out what makes the ECO-120 cooler than the better designed Vantage.
Hopefully the pump is better, and the radiator is the problem and not the heat exchange between the water block and the pump on the vantage the performance loss.
If the pump turns out to be better, and the radiator is Vantage's problem, I think ECO offers a custom ECO-240 Radiator w/ Vantage pump, that's what I'd do for a factory sealed CPU water cooling system.
------------------------------------------------------------------   

 

I have the CoolIT ECO-120 mounted on the rear right now (radiator + fan is too tall to fit on the outer inner case)
 
If I keep the ECO-120 or Vantage, I’ll move the radiator to the inner top of the case, and the fan on the outer inner case, with a fan also under the radiator for a push and pull setup at the top.  (I’ll have to build custom 200mm fan adapters first)
 


 
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Option B  (This is what I need advise / help with from experienced water coolers!)
 
I'm a water cooling newb so I need some advise/help with a new idea…
 
 
The other option I'm considering is following.
Current Setup:
-- I have a Cooler Master Haf X Case (Nvidia edition).  
-- It has an top outer, inner fan compartment, holding two 200mm fans about 1.25in tall on top, (with a tad room to spare).
 
If the following is possible, this is what I’d like to do...


Desired Setup: (entirely interior case water cooling setup)
-- Put a 200 x 400mm x 3/4in (or less) radiator on the top, outer – inner case.
2x 200mm slim fans (3/4in or less) on top of the radiator.
2x 200mm slim fan under the radiator inside top of inner case directly below the radiator.
--  If possible, A custom water cooling setup with a 200 x 400mm 3/4in Radiator w/ 4x 200mm fans push & pull, yet quiet setup.
 
 
Here is where the radiator and fans would go….
 
 
 

 
The case does have rear access and inner access holes for water cooling. (if exterior setup)
-- It also has three access points on the top, middle, and bottom, to the right on the motherboard tray.
(there is 3/4in between the motherboard tray and the side case panel for wires or tubing)



 
While I’d like to do a top radiator w/ fans setup, there is also room for water cooling stuff here.
-- The bottom 5.25in two trays are hot-swap-able HD with a case built-in sata plug for 2 HDs.
(Currently using the bottom one, so I could use the top tray and that space for water cooling stuff)
I’m going to have 3 SSDs in the lower part of the case (in raid0), + a single HD.  So I could loose this space for water cooling if necessary. 

 
 
Summary: Questions for water cooling experts!!
1)    Does a 200 x 400mm x 3/4in (or less) radiators exist?
1b) How much could this size radiator cool?
1c) Could it at least cool the CPU? And maybe the North Bridge?
 
2)    What would the pump setup be for a custom setup? (assumingly is it not part of the CPU block or radiator)
2b) How big are pumps / what space requirements would it have?
 
3)    What size / how powerful of a pump would I need for that size radiator?


Final Question…
Could this setup cool the CPU, Northbridge, and 3x GTX580s + 1 GTX570?
(or 3x GTX470s + 1x GTX460)

 

Either way if it is possible to build this setup for at least the CPU and Northbridge I’m gonna do it!
-- If it is possible that such sized setup (all interior) will also support 4x graphics cooling then I’m going to do that too!
 I’ll have to return my GTX470s, and get EVGA Copper Version GTX580s(or wait til EVGA comes out with them or buy aftermarket water blocks)
Either way if I do graphics water cooling, since I have weird Palit GTX470s non-reference cards, no water blocks exist for their chip layout so I’d need different graphics cards. 
 

Would these two products work? And would they provide better performance than any factory sealed unit?
 
Koolance 5.25in Pump and Resovour w/ LCD Display.
http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=800
 
Koolance 280mm (2x140mm design) radiator...
http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=963
 
I'm pretty set on those two products if they are compatible, due to the Koolance 280mm radiator being 30mm tall.


The other radiator I was looking at is this, the Black Ice SR1 280
-- It is "Low air flow optimized", but almost twice as tall as the Koolance Radiator.
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10464/ex-rad-181/Black_Ice_SR1_Low_Air_Flow_Optimized_-_280_Radiator_-_Black.html

 
Having the radiator mounted inside the case at the top.
2x 140mm fans mounted under the radiator.
2x 200mm fans mounted on the top of the case like stock.
 
Again I'm completely new to water cooling, but would those two products work with a CPU block?
-- Would the SR1 be any better? (I'd much rather use a 30mm than a 56.5mm) if it isn't significantly better.


And will they provide the best performance for a i7 950?
 (more than Corair H70 or CoolIT ECO-120)
 
Lastly, Is that pump and radiator enough to support, a CPU, North Bridge, and 3 or 4 graphics cards?
 
Again, I appreciate any help with the custom build.  I am completely new to this.
-- If I would spend $175 on a CoolIT-240, might as well spend $250 on a custom setup and cool more than the CPU if it'll work.

In my previous post I noted how temps had dropped to ~63C full load graphics & cpu 100%.
 
Changing the base clock to test possible faster memory and clock settings...
 
Same frequency 3.2ghz, higher base clock:  200 x 16 = 3.2ghz
Memory at 1600mhz 6-8-6-1T 1.65v
Every bios setting on auto, except base clock, multiplier, and memory using XMP profile (stock 1600 6-8-6 setting), and C1E support (turbo mode), and speedstep disabled.
 
Averaging ~72C with 200mhz base vs 160mhz
~10C higher than 160 base, but still keeping well below the high 80sC, low 90sC of the Zalman  9500 with these settings.
 
These temps are while using 2 fans on the ECO-120.
 
Based on that, I need better cooling to run 1800mhz or 2000mhz memory.
 
Nobody has seen my question about the liquid cooling setup I wish to build.
-- Hopefully someone sees it who is knowledgeable on the topic and can advise me as to whether that will allow me to achieve my goals with safe 24/7 temps.
Goal: 1:1 memory sync, at ~1800-2000mhz memory frequency.
 

mwparrish 

corsair h70... simple, no hassle. very chill. 

 
 
Now with 2 fans on my ECO-120, getting 10C lower than stock ECO-120.
-- Probably puts the performance better than a stock H70.
The Cosair H70 isn't going to change things much I bet.  
Logically, It is the exact same design, a factory sealed CPU liquid setup with a 120mm radiator are all going to have the same limits.  
-- Unless you can prove me wrong. (If it'll do the job, I'm all for it.)

The easiest way for me to answer your question would be to just have you read my review of the Vantage.
 
http://forums.evga.com/tm.aspx?m=487008&high=Vantage