Maximum PC

after finding out the case im using in my new pc will be as loud as a vacuum cleaner, I realized theres not much point in going with a quiet cpu fan/heatsink, so i wanna get the absolute highest performance cooler regardless of noise so i can do some overclocking, problem is I have no idea which one is the best

I do NOT understand how the best HSF will help a loud case. If you know that your case fans are going to be loud, do something about it! Purchase quiet case fans and you should be a lot happier. Additionally, a louder HSF does not mean better performance.

The Zalman line of coolers and fans are the epitomy of quiet air performance cooling.

I just put together an fx-55 sli system and I used the gigabyte 3d pro rocket cooler.... good results so far and its pretty quiet too...every place ive seen rates it fairly highly

XP-120 is a good choice

go with the zalman

the xp-120 with a nice slow 120mm fan with low noise will work great.

the best HSF can quiet a case if thats whats making the most noise. your not dumb, so you obviously know that a lot of coolers use 60mm fans that must spin faster creating more noise. if you go with a good heatsink, you will be able to put a larger slower spinning fan on it that will lessen noise substanially. the thing i think of is that these people may have quiet cases but may be using stock cooling with its little 60mm high speed fans so they want something that is quieter.

Well yeah, I get what you're saying, but if the case fans themselves are 60mm, then it's high time to get a new case... yah know? And if they're 80mm, just get slower spinning ones.

A performance PC doesn't have to be a vacuum cleaner. Good news is, you can remedy that problem and still get some overclocking in too. The Zalman fans are very nice, but not highly rated for overclocking. If you're really serious about it, go with water cooling.

Water cool it.

Just get a fan controler. Or put in some resistors for the do it yourself people out there.