King of the Small Coolers?

King Damager · 24 Apr 2012 at 13:20

Ok, so one of the ideas I'm playing with at the moment is downgrading to a smaller case, and probably mATX.

Anyway, this will mean I'll be limited to a CPU cooler height of 140mm (although I'd prefer some clearance...)

So generally speaking, what's the best of the small coolers?

Anything Black gets extra points xD

I'm thinking at the moment, that the Havik 120 is probably way up there?

I'm looking for something that is quiet, but can compete performance wise with my current CPU cooler (Corsair A70).

Have considered the idea of putting some aftermarket fans on the CPU cooler if required to get better performance/noise ratio, if that helps with the decision.

kd

Helios1234 · 24 Apr 2012 at 13:25

For something black: http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/phanteks_ph_tc14cs_cpu_cooler_review.html

140.5mm in height with both fans.

Alternative is the Noctua NH-C14 which is closer to 130mm in height. Performance should be similar to the Corsair.

~Mike~ · 24 Apr 2012 at 13:30

^ I'd go with that (bit pricey)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-006-PT&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

Spenty · 24 Apr 2012 at 14:21

My Thermaltake V3 is only an MATX case I think with not much room but my Cooler Master Hyper 612s fits in (just):

The-Plethora · 24 Apr 2012 at 15:39

If space is a big contraint then why not look at one of those all in one water cooling jobbies? Providing you have a fan slot for the radiator it could keep things cooler in a smaller case.

King Damager · 24 Apr 2012 at 15:57

Helios1234 said:
For something black: http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/phanteks_ph_tc14cs_cpu_cooler_review.html

140.5mm in height with both fans.

Alternative is the Noctua NH-C14 which is closer to 130mm in height. Performance should be similar to the Corsair.

Nice idea, the Phanteks does create some nice ideas for modding as well...

I'll have to check clearance clearly. Would prefer both fans if possible. I am slightly concerned about the fact that unlike a traditional cooler it would just be blowing into the side of the case, rather than blowing out a rear fan area as such...

I guess, do you have any more 'traditional' styled ideas?

The-Plethora said:
If space is a big contraint then why not look at one of those all in one water cooling jobbies? Providing you have a fan slot for the radiator it could keep things cooler in a smaller case.

Because I'm pretty sure I won't be able to fit one in. Unfortunately, chances are the case won't fit a Rad in.

kd

Helios1234 · 24 Apr 2012 at 16:13

King Damager said:
Nice idea, the Phanteks does create some nice ideas for modding as well...

I'll have to check clearance clearly. Would prefer both fans if possible. I am slightly concerned about the fact that unlike a traditional cooler it would just be blowing into the side of the case, rather than blowing out a rear fan area as such...

I guess, do you have any more 'traditional' styled ideas?

kd

Finding a decent tower cooler of that size is quite hard. The only decent one is the Arctic Freezer Extreme Rev. 2 but it wouldn't be as good as the A70. The top down coolers will work well but what case are you using? As long as you have decent airflow, there's no reason to go look for a small tower cooler if the top down Phanteks is perfectly suitable. Afterall it's black and performs well without being too loud.

I may have one spare...

King Damager · 24 Apr 2012 at 16:26

I haven't yet finalised my case choice xD, but I'm thinking that the Lian Li A04 is going to win.

Lian Li do state maximum clearance is 140mm, so it really might be pushing it fitting it in with the both fans. I'm especially thinking it might end up being starved of air.

Although I do think it looks slightly better than the Noctua... It has 2x120mm in the front and 1x120mm in the top, and I'll probably be filling at least the 2x120mm in the front with 2 nf-f12s. The top fan might be left a bit vague..

Also, one other question. In your review, you mounted it, so the 'top' of the cooler (the bit with the Phanteks written on it) pointed towards the memory slots on the motherboard. Can you mount it 90 degrees left, so the Phanteks logo would effectively be facing the top of the case? Or would this create fouling issues possibly with a GPU?

Thanks

kd

Helios1234 · 24 Apr 2012 at 18:38

King Damager said:
I haven't yet finalised my case choice xD, but I'm thinking that the Lian Li A04 is going to win.

Lian Li do state maximum clearance is 140mm, so it really might be pushing it fitting it in with the both fans. I'm especially thinking it might end up being starved of air.

Although I do think it looks slightly better than the Noctua... It has 2x120mm in the front and 1x120mm in the top, and I'll probably be filling at least the 2x120mm in the front with 2 nf-f12s. The top fan might be left a bit vague..

Also, one other question. In your review, you mounted it, so the 'top' of the cooler (the bit with the Phanteks written on it) pointed towards the memory slots on the motherboard. Can you mount it 90 degrees left, so the Phanteks logo would effectively be facing the top of the case? Or would this create fouling issues possibly with a GPU?

Thanks

kd

It depends on the motherboard but ideally that's the position you want it in. I personally couldn't orientate it that way because it doesn't fit and would just end up coinciding with my top mounted PSU. If colour isn't a major concern, then the Noctua NH-C14 is just as good if not slightly better.

It's also possible to just use a single fan at the bottom to give you more clearance.

King Damager · 24 Apr 2012 at 19:51

Well colour isn't a big thing, but now I've seen the possibility, I'm just thinking mmmm xD

So did you say ideally you would want it to orientate it the way I said? Or the way shown in the review?

As for the issue with it clashing with the PSU, how much did it stick over the motherboard as such then? (roughly)

kd

Helios1234 · 25 Apr 2012 at 00:12

King Damager said:
Well colour isn't a big thing, but now I've seen the possibility, I'm just thinking mmmm xD

So did you say ideally you would want it to orientate it the way I said? Or the way shown in the review?

As for the issue with it clashing with the PSU, how much did it stick over the motherboard as such then? (roughly)

kd

The way you said is the best way. Errm I didn't measure exactly how much but it's mostly because the CPU socket on the ASUS R3E is located higher than on most board. On my R4E on the other hand, it doesn't extend beyond the length of the motherboard orientated that way so fits perfectly fine.