Liquid cooler for the i5 2500k overclock

atomos · 20 Dec 2011 at 21:13

Hi all

Im buying a i5 2500k soon and plan on overclocking it. Hoping to get some where between 4.5Ghz and 5Ghz(i know it will be lucky at 5 lol). Ive been looking at getting me a corsair h60/h80/h100. (Not interested in aircooling)

Would a H100 be overkill because I would reach my CPU threshold way before needing to max it out? Should I go for the H60 in this case?

Also would it be better to but a cheap watercooling kit?

Thanks for any advise

panyan · 20 Dec 2011 at 21:14

the best air coolers outperform the best low-cost-liquid-cooling solutions

dont get the h100 or the h60, i'd try to persuade you to get the noctua d-14

ThePengu1n · 20 Dec 2011 at 22:21

The H100 would be slightly overkill at the volts you'll likely need to get that speed, however, you would be able to carry it across to your cpu, which may require some beefier cooling. TBH though, if you really don't want to go air cooling, why not got for full custom water? will geive far better temps than any air/aio liquid cooler.

Helios1234 · 20 Dec 2011 at 22:39

atomos said:
Not interested in aircooling...

Any particular reasons?

Davefran · 21 Dec 2011 at 01:16

Watercooling Kits

Depends how much room you have in your case, the ALC's won't match the best air coolers without being excessively noisy.
The above kits would be the next step up, or you could do a custom loop, but that would be from about £300 upwards.

Stoner81 · 21 Dec 2011 at 02:35

I run a i7 930 @ 4GHz on a Antec Khuler 920 and have idle temps of about 35 degrees give or take a bit. Now bear in mind that the 1366 produces more heat than Sandy Bridge does so I am very pleased with the performance and therefore recommend Khuler 920.

Stoner81.

atomos · 21 Dec 2011 at 08:21

I'd prefer the liquid coolers as they would run quieter, there wouldnt be the need to clean out a heatsink block the future. Also i cant afford a full watercooling system in my budget :-(

the case im looking to get is the corsair 500r btw

Helios1234 · 21 Dec 2011 at 10:15

atomos said:
I'd prefer the liquid coolers as they would run quieter, there wouldnt be the need to clean out a heatsink block the future. Also i cant afford a full watercooling system in my budget the case im looking to get is the corsair 500r btw

Liquid coolers are not quieter (a common misconception born from their marketing) than good air coolers and funnily enough, they tend to get dusty very quickly compared to normal tower heatsinks.

I say this because I've used them all and still prefer air coolers.

Surveyor · 21 Dec 2011 at 10:18

atomos said:
I'd prefer the liquid coolers as they would run quieter

I tried the Antec Kúhler H2O 920 and swapped it out for the Thermalright Silver Arrow.

The Silver Arrow cools at least as well and is much quieter.

The Silver Arrow is great if you have the room for it.

lgevans · 21 Dec 2011 at 12:03

The noctua NH-D14 is absolutely whisper silent! I had one in a previous build before I went full water. Highly recommend it!