Coolermaster SF-19 Striker vs NZXT Cryo

Which would you guys suggest? I'm leaning towards the CM a little more as it has built in cable management, usb 3.0 and I trust CM a bit more in terms of fans.. Don't like the cheap plastic, though.

 

I have the CM, so I can only comment on it. Even though it is made of plastic, it is definitely nice. I like how easily it is to open it up and swap fans in and out. The cooler is good enough to make it to where my laptop fans don't kick in. Even though it has usb 3 I still use the AC just because. Sits on it perfectly. I say get it.

 

Depends fully on your notebooks cooling system. I notice the R3 in your sig if your looking for that and I am not mistaken its cooling fans and vents are on the back so I would recommend the NZXT CRYO LX (not S) as it would hit the rear vents.

 

how is the noise level on the SF-19? the SF-19 is supposed to push out a bit more CFM's then the cryo LX (stock vs stock), but all the videos and reviews i've watched/read have commented about the very audible fans.

i'm not sure if u've ever seen a cryo LX in person, but yea...they're not very portable lol. i was actually really interested in purchasing the SF-19 to take with me to friend's/LAN parties, but the noise levels have really killed it for me. i would love to get more feedback from actual users.

 

The fans can get really loud on how high you turn the knob. I don't keep it up that high though because low does perfectly well for me. And it's pretty light.

 

houstoned - Can you power the cryo at full power using just the AC adapter? I really don't like the idea of a fan constantly sucking USB power from my computer.

 

u will have to use both wires if u want to use the cooler and the built in USB hub. u would neeed the USB to USB wire to fully power the fans. alot of guys also buy higher voltage, aftermarket, AC adapters to run their fans at higher than stock speeds.

 

I have both SF19 and Cryo LX, and its hard to say... the Cryo is better built with almost all metal, while the SF19 is mostly plastic n rubber (i think only the mesh might be metal). The Cryo weights much more although fordable, i prefer to move on with SF19, much less weight and fits fine on the Targus Backpack (carry a lot of things there to play on the road).

The SF19 pushes a lot more air, the PSU that comes with 12V, while the one on "my" Cryo is 5V, that said even with a 12V psu i feel the SF19 pushes more air, i find the mesh on the SF less restrictive than CRYO mesh + metal cover. The SF19 is much more noisy than Cryo LX (specially at full speed both on 12V), but the controller on the SF19 can go higher and lower than the nob on the LX, like if the fan controller had bigger voltage range, it can go almost silent at the bottom of it.

Overall i think both are great coolers, but atm the CRYO is staying home while i play some weeks with the SF19, I also bought a couple of German Noiseblockers 140mm and are much better fans, but not huge difference. One last thing that i dislike about the Cryo is the power plug is on the back, while the SF has it on the side aswell as the USB HUB, this allows me to place the laptop very close to the walls, specially important in some hotels where the table is extremely small.

I like a lot more the design of the SF19, looks very good with a G73, if i were to buy either and only one.... probably would be SF19, but still i like both.

 

the NZXT CRYO were very very hard to find a year ago but are excellent coolers. could you post a link as i know of at least 10 people that want one.

 

+1 more person to that list. My ZM-NC2000 seems to be dying on me ._.

 

There a cyro lx @ NBR market, i think they want $40 for it

 

I got mine from amazon, here is the link:

Amazon.com: nzxt cryo lx

 

Would you guys consider d NZXT CRYO portable?

 

NO! Even though I can fold it, its made of all metal-that and having an 18.4" notebook makes carrying (to parties) daunting. That is why I'm seriously think of getting the cool master.



OH, and when your tried, not paying attention and folding up the cooler it can really pinch the heck out of your finger-OUCH. LOL.

 

thanks for the link. sadly still not available in the uk and dont think amazon will deliver (hopefully im wrong)

 

thanks for the info. i might just pick up an SF-19 to see how loud the noise levels really are. if anything, i'll use it as my portable cooler, or just leave it at my friend's house. u happen to know the cheapest place to buy one, preferably with a good return policy?

i'm definitely with u on the cryo LX's fan control knob. the knob and no on/off button are my 2 gripes about the cryo LX. as far as aesthetics, the cryo LX fits my laptops much better so i'd hate to have to retire it. i'm going to mod it with some nice parts and see how it goes from there. it's not like my cryo's performance is deteriorating or anything. it's just that it's served me as "old reliable" for so long i kind of wanna give it a little refresh.

to do list for my cryo LX:
- (3) new 120mm fans
- cut out top mesh to reduce airflow restriction
- 9v-12v power source

do u have any recommendations for some good (CFM-wise), but also quiet 120mm fans? i'm willing to spend a bit of money, but nothing k-tron crazy.

i wouldn't carry it around unless u have a big bag. u also have to remember that this thing is made of pure aluminum. it's solid enough to use as a shield in case of a surprise ninja attack.

 

Newegg has them in stock


Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER SF-19 Strike Force Notebook Cooler Model SGA-6000-KKYF1


I did notice that there are two models. One is for 17" notebooks, and the other goes up to 19" notebooks. So, if someone is looking for the larger one read carefully.




If USB 3 is not a big thing to anyone, there is the USB 2.0 version for 40USD less.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834992522

 

Newegg.com - NZXT SILVER Aluminum Notebook cooler w/ 3 120mm adjustable fans Model CRYO LX

Here you go.

edit: D'oh! Too slow...

Mr. Mysterious

 

I'm one of those weirdos who has both (now, at least)

My USB 2.0 SF-19 just arrived, and so far, I'm liking what I got. Don't need USB3.0, since I don't see buying another lappy JUST for the Oooh factor, at least not anytime soon...

My M17xR1 sits on it with room to spare, as compared to my LX, which it basically covered to the edges...

The SF19 feels, yeah, kinda light, not necessarily cheaply made, but even without the folding option like the LX, I could see travelling with the SF19 a lot less painfully than with the LX.

I do like the options of the lighting (matches my AW red lighting!!! )and the easily accessible / positionable fans with the SF19. The LX has no lighting, and if you want to swap out the fans (for looks or performance or a wild hair), you're going to have to break out the screw drivers. The screws are kinda off center from the start, so you may have to do some wiggling to get it back together.

 

I wish they had the 2.0 sf-19 with the black rubber.

 

+1. The grey rubber pads don't really do it for me, either...

I sent CM an email asking about the possibility of buying a set of black pads to swap out. Let you know what they say...

 

What are the diferences from 1.0 to 2.0, as far as I can tell I only see it with white rubber, not sure if evrything else is the same.

 

Just PM me if there's an update. Or just tell them to sell all 2.0 versions with black rubber, White rubber sucks..

The 2.0 stands for the usb 2.0, And the 3.0 is for the usb 3.0 I don't think there is a 1.0?

 

Had a few delays because I'm waiting on a replacement m17xs R3..

Just ordered the USB 3.0 SF-19 as I might (but very rarely) be taking it to various places.. Also I like the option of JUST having dedicated power. I'm very wary of having a cooler constantly sucking power from my USB ports.

Hopefully I'll get it this week! Also getting a few hundred back from taxes (Didn't earn much in the past year, lol) .. Spent it on that and a few other things.

Also going to need a second for another computer at work, I'm either going to get the u3 or the Cryo. I'll decide tonight when I get back from work I guess

 

I can vouch for the CryoLX being heavy like a donkey in your backpack. It definitely is a huge cooler and big too. Foldable but it's just heavy. The build is excellent though; taking it apart is quite an easy process too.

The stock fans are decent enough, but I modded them out and put new ones in and it's much more silent and runs cooler and faster. At full speed though, it ran fast, Superman fast. Not to mentioned that the noise gets considerably higher then and surpasses the fans on my laptop.

And I am a happy man.

 

I had the Cryo LX in the past, but I decided to return it as I sold my only laptop. With the M18x coming out now though, I'm having trouble deciding whether to get the Cooler Master this time or the Cryo again. My time with the Cryo left me with a pretty good impression, it was always cool to the touch and kept my laptop very well cooled as well. It looked awesome too.

When I get some more funds, I think I'm going to buy both of them to compare many different aspects that I'm considering. There are a lot of pros and cons that I'm seeing between them, but a hands on comparison would be the best way to determine which I would rather have for an extended period of time.

 

You cant go wrong with either, both do a decent job. I own both, but only use regularly the SF19, while its slightly bigger it weight less, so its easier for me to move with it. Also has usb3 hub that i yet to use, but cool still. Also it comes with 12V psu, and 140mm fans (i changed them but no need), the fan controller will lower them almost silent, while in the cryo the fan controller barely change the speed. Either is great though.

 

Here are some things that I've come up with means for comparison between the two so far:

Cryo LX:

-Fans can be run solely from computer's USB ports, no AC required

-Build quality appears to be more sturdy and attractive (in some respects)

-The aluminum dissipates heat much better than the plastic and steel mesh
on the Cooler Master

-Even at the highest speed, the fans remain fairly quiet

-Better coverage of laptop bottom (?) with the fans being nearer to the top


Cooler Master:

-The fans can reach higher speeds

-Flashy LEDs

-Very easy access to the fan compartment

-Easier to use on lap(?) - this is something that is really making me consider
the Cooler Master over the Cryo

-Lighter than the Cryo meaning better portability

-USB 3.0


I'll add on to this when I get these to compare side-by-side.

 

Just got the sf-19 2.0 version. The grey rubber is not so bad after all. What I like about it is even your laptop is turned off, You can still charge your iphone or anything on the usb hub of the sf-19 because its powered by the Ac adapter that came with it.

 

You can't run the CF19 on just USB power, correct? It has to be plugged in where with the Cryo that's optional?

Correct me if I'm mistaken on this.

 

I dont know if its an option with the cyro, but with the sf-19 yes, you can't run it without its ac adapter.

 

Typecast, is the AC cord relatively long or is it short? If it's not a reasonable length, then that really messes with its portability.

 

Id say its not that long but still not that short. I measured it the cord is 5ft.