Heatsinks: copper based vs. aluminum based?

I realize copper based heat sinks are probably better but I need some input as to why they are better than aluminum based. Please. And as always, thanks in advance. :)

Copper has a base heat tranfer factor of 1.0.
Alumimum has a heat transfer factor of 1.7.
Silver has a factor of 0.7

Now for weight, the silver is the heaviest and most costly. Then comes copper and then aluminum is the cheapest and the lightest.
Now if you get the Intel versions of these HSF. It will help.
I have used the Volcano 9 here. By the way, I like looks of the Volcano 11
But I am at presently using the Cooler Master Aero 7 which is quieter and has a higher cfm [cubic feet per minute] airflow. Temps are the same as with the 9, but quieter to me as it runs at lower rpm .

Ok, the Volcano 9 was what I had picked out to buy, and that's why I needed the input. A friend recommended this one only because of the connection being wider slots??? Now your Aero 7 is that the 7+ or the 7 lite? Price wise the lite is cheaper than even the V9. And I'm looking for better built but not as expensive. I know you get what you pay for. ;) But the V9 is, 21.99 and the Aero 7 Lite is $16.99. But I want my cpu cooled and quietly if at all possible to get both in same fans.

Running an AMD T_Bred, the one thing i do not want to skimp on is the HSF. With that said,my choice is the Thermalright SLK-800a all copper(third one down here)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...tby=14&order=1

Coupled with the YS Tech 80mm x 25mm adjustable speed fan(second one down here)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...tby=14&order=1

Very seldom go over 45c and average 43c with ambient room temp at about 68-70F. Copper 'is' heavy,but check the attaching clamp that uses 'all' the socket tabs,unlike some that use just one on each side. Yes,,it uses some space around the CPU,but any decently configured mobo should give plenty of room around. Oh yeah,,the fan runs very quiet at 3700RPM and moves a 'lot' of air.

I've had mine for quite awhile and am very satisfied with it...:)

Geez and I thought 22 was expensive. :D Guess I need to look at putting by more money until I can afford better heatsink/fan.

Ok, question number 2. Could I run this puter on the provided heatsink/fan for say two weeks then change it out with a better one without causing problems. Funds are still low here and I was hoping to not pay more for the heatsink/fan than I'm paying for the mb.

Without searching your other posts(memory escapes me:D ), are you going for an AMD or Intel? In either case,if your getting 'retail' that has the HSF supplied,you should be ok. Only thing i'd suggest is to do a good job of applying thermal compound and keep a close eye on your temps in bios when you first boot the new 'animal' up. I have the habit of whippin' over to the 'power' menu first thing and watching the mobo monitor 'til things are nicely warmed up. Then,while making adjustments,going back to keep an eyeball peeled on it just to be sure. Ya',, I know,,worry wart here. But,,better safe than sorry imo... :p

Well, I was going to build an Intel, but then the prices for such computer drew me to AMD. The same friend that suggested copper based heatsink also builds AMD and after checking out his computer this is the other reason for AMD this time around.

I would rather be safe than sorry too, that's why I've been asking. I would hate to put this together than have it burn up the chip before I even get to see what this new AMD XP2400 will do. Oh, and Arctic Silver is on the list of buying also. ;)

Photo lady, your going to like that 2400+. I have one sitting here on my desk that is about 6 months old. I replaced it with a 2600+ then replaced that one with a 2800+(current cpu). The 2600+ went into another computer for a friend, whom was on a tight budget, so he got a good deal on it. I also have a gig of Kingston PC2100 value ram sitting here that is about the same age. I am using a Thermaltake Volcano 7 heatsink with a smart fan 2 with ducting mod (a volcano 9 for the most part). When it was on the 2400+ the cpu temp was 36C under normal conditions. My new 2800+ with this cooling unit runs 39C normal to 45C under load.

Thanks rbc, I'm going to be playing graphic instense games on this computer so I want something that will handle the heat nicely. And I will be adding case fans (four to be exact) and round cables which should help keep things cooler. Although mean temps here now are only about 60F in the house, and outside about 19F (brrrrr). ;) I will look into those fans suggested and decide which before I get ready to buy, sometime next week.

Later I'll post what I'm building because I still haven't decided which video card (I want the Nvidia Ti4200) but may have to get a cheaper card until later. And I haven't decided on hdd yet either.

Good call on the video card. I have a 128meg ti 4200. love it!!!

Well, rbc, I have to confess Train is the one suggested this video card. I took a look and liked what I saw, coupled with the rave reviews he gave. :)

And after you get it, should you dislike it contact me! :D

Yeah right. :D

The last card you suggested got sold with the computer, but I liked it. So......no, I don't think I won't like this one either. And I've read the reviews and the Tom's Hardware benchmarks.....so

Gunna do some hardcore Myst, Photolady? :D

I had my videocard wrapped with a Zalman ZM80C-HP Cooler (with Fan) and it works wonder. I overclocked the core to 310 and the memory to 560 and it is as cool as it can get. Ti 4200 is the best overclock card I ever had. I also slapped a Zalman CNPS6500B-AlCu Pure Aluminum and Copper combined CPU Cooler and a Vantec ICEBERG DDR-A1A for the RAM.