2600k cooler advice

[MrSteven]

Hello

I will soon be building a new computer which will have the Intel 2600k CPU. I've figured out most of the components that's I will be using except the CPU cooler, I'm definitely looking for a performance cooler as I would like to overclock to 4.6Ghz (which I have read isnt too hard) maybe 4.8Ghz if I can keep the temperature down.

I've been looking around the forum and there's a few coolers which seem to stick out, The Noctua NH-D14, Thermalright Silver Arrow and a few of the Corsair Hydro series. Ive had a look at a lot of reviews and they all seem very good apart from a few things. The NH-D14 and silver arrow look very big and the fans on the Noctua look awful even though they have great reviews, and the Corsair apparently are very noisy.

As this is my first proper build I'm trying to get it too look nice aswell as perform well, I have compromised on looks for the case as I've gone for the HAF X for the good airflow.

Anyway I did see the Venomous X Black Edition which I think looks great as im going for a black/blue design, also what fans would you suggest in push pull? Im wondering If anyone has this or if anyone knows its good, or if I should just stick with one of the more familiar ones. My room temperature is around 27/28 degrees normally (dunno if this is of any use when picking a cooler)

Thanks

Steve

 

[Helios1234]

The Venomous X is a brilliant alternative to the bigger Noctua and Silver Arrow if you are worried about size. As for fans, Scythe Gentle Typhoons are a popular choice. The only downsides to the VX is that you can't use 140mm fans and at £45, it is fairly expensive especially when you consider the Silver Arrow isn't much more and already bundles two very good fans.

 

[Reaper 392]

personally i'd recommend you starting a thread in general hardware with your budget, what you plan to do with the computer mostly, your budget and what bits you need. i dont mean to be patronising but i can guarantee that someone will be able to squeeze more out of your budget than you have (probably stulid if he's around). also, if your going for a certain look to the build then i'm sure we can accommodate for that too

as for the coolers i can tell you that the thermalright silver arrow is the one to go for simply because of the price. the noctua NH-D14 performs exactly the same as the silver arrow, but its £20 more expensive. many benchmarks find a maximum of a 1C difference between the two, and that can be in favour of either. the H80 performs similarly to the silverarrow and NH-D14 and the H100 outperforms all three of them by ~4C, but with the £100 price tag its really not worth it

 

[MrSteven]

Thanks for the quick reply Helios, I'm not to worried about size it was just the looks of the Noctua and Silver Arrow that put me off as I wanted a specific look inside the case but if it will make a decent drop in temps compared to the Venomous I will certainly pick one of them over it.

 

[Reaper 392]

The Venomous X is a brilliant alternative to the bigger Noctua and Silver Arrow if you are worried about size. As for fans, Scythe Gentle Typhoons are a popular choice. The only downsides to the VX is that you can't use 140mm fans and at £45, it is fairly expensive especially when you consider the Silver Arrow isn't much more and already bundles two very good fans.

i thought scythe gentle typhoons were only meant to be case fans, and not used for coolers because of the low airflow and static pressure

 

[MrSteven]

Thanks for the input Reaper, Ill start a thread in general hardware and see what people can come up with then. My problem with the silver arrow is again I dont like the look of the fans (even if they are very good) is there any decent replacement fans? Maybe the Scythe ones Helios recommended?

 

[Helios1234]

i thought scythe gentle typhoons were only meant to be case fans, and not used for coolers because of the low airflow and static pressure

To be honest with you, I haven't actually used them so I don't really know but people seem to use them for watercooling radiators and rave about them.

Thanks for the input Reaper, Ill start a thread in general hardware and see what people can come up with then. My problem with the silver arrow is again I dont like the look of the fans (even if they are very good) is there any decent replacement fans? Maybe the Scythe ones Helios recommended?

Hmm, I don't think you can get much better fans than the Silver Arrow ones. If you are interested in the Silver Arrow but want to change the fans, then I'd get the Venomous X instead. That way you can keep costs down. If you want low speed quiet fans, then the Thermalright X-Silent 120s are decent and very cheap. Otherwise, get something you like the looks of. OCUK's range doesn't seem to be very extensive so choosing some from there is a bit hard.

 

[setter]

The prolimatech megahelims is another cooler that can use 140mm fans, as ive tried them in the past.

Again though, it's expensive as you also have to add your own fans. Providing that it fits on your board and doesnt foul your ram, the silver arrow is a great choice, great cooling and supplied with by all accounts, two excellent fans, (that would probably cost £10.00 + each). It is incredible value for money.