Confused by aftermarket cpu coolers

a giant fox

a giant fox

a giant fox

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Joined
21 Feb 2011
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137
Location
Darford, Kent
Hi everyone

I,m thinking of upgrading to Sandybridge in the next few months (when I have enough money lol)

I have decided I will most likely get the following items:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-368-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1275

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-044-AK&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=

I need to get a new cpu cooler as my current cooler (in sig) isn't able to be fitted onto a sandybridge socket.

I have been looking at loads of coolers but really can't decide the best one.

My current choices are as follows:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-005-PL&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

I do really like the Megahalems and that u can fit your fans but it does make it expensive.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-093-TR&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

I also like this but looking at other review sites the silver arrow and Noctua DH14 seem to perform better.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-078-TR&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

Really like the Silver arrow and does appear on the standard fans to be very quiet.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-011-NC&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

This is always quoted as being one of the best air cooling cpu but is it worth the extra 15 odd quid

My case is in sig and should be able to support all of these coolers, I real question is what is the best option for maximum cooling.

Ideally I want no noise at all when cpu on idle but don't care under load, what I am really asking are the megahelms really worth the extra cash by letting u fit the best fans to them, or is it worth just getting on of the others.

And finally is their much difference between the D14 and the silver arrow and the venonmous X?

Thanks in advance
 
a giant fox said:
And finally is their much difference between the D14 and the silver arrow and the venonmous X?
Click to expand...

from what i have read, the noctua and silver arrow fight for first place, the silver arrow has a fraction of a degree better cooling, but the noctua has a much better mounting system - personally i went for the noctua, but there is very little difference :)
 
The Silver Arrow has had some great reviews.

Have you considered the Corsair H70 as relative silence is wanted?
 
I have the Silver Arrow and its a great cooler. Cheaper than Noctua and near silent operation. Even with both fans full rpm my wall clock ticks louder than it. The noctua fan mounting system I hear is easier to deal with, cant say for sure as I haven't dealt with one.
 
Easy - Thermalright HR02 with no fans.

It was cooling my i7 920 D0 at 3.8GHz without issues, and if you add a silent low rpm fan, it's even better.

Plus Sandy CPUs are lower TDP, so will be even easier to cool passively. Of course you'd need fairly good airflow in the case first.
 
Marvin said:
Easy - Thermalright HR02 with no fans.

It was cooling my i7 920 D0 at 3.8GHz without issues, and if you add a silent low rpm fan, it's even better.

Plus Sandy CPUs are lower TDP, so will be even easier to cool passively. Of course you'd need fairly good airflow in the case first.
Click to expand...

Silver Arrow without fans:

http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/thermalright_hr_02_cpu_cooler_review,10.html

Its better than Thermalright HR02 even though it wasn't designed for that purpose by 4.5c!
 
sithlord said:
Silver Arrow without fans:

http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/thermalright_hr_02_cpu_cooler_review,10.html

Its better than Thermalright HR02 even though it wasn't designed for that purpose by 4.5c!
Click to expand...

On the other hand, Vortez's D14 vs HR02 results are not corroborated by XBitLabs.

I think it varies greatly with set-ups, how good the paste application was and so on, but one review does not reveal the full picture.

Any of the D14, Silver Arrow, Archon, HR-02 et al are all bloody good though.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for all the quick responses guys

I am leaning towards the silver arrow over Noctua DH14 , purely as I can use the Silver arrow passively to make it very quiet and this appearsto have thebest passive performance and the fact that its 15 pound cheaper then the DH -14

Anyone else want to throw something into the mix, i'm supprised no one has said anything about the Megahalems, I thought this was considered a really good air cooling solution?
 
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