Best CPU Cooler for £60-70?

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Hi all,

Looking to get away from the stock cooler on my i7 930... whats the best thing to do with this budget to get a decent OC but not too loud?

Thanks,

G
 
This is probably the best at the higher price scale.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-099-TR&groupid=701&catid=2330&subcat=2352

Other alternatives.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-003-PT&groupid=701&catid=2330&subcat=2348
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-015-NC&groupid=701&catid=2330&subcat=2346
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-020-AL

All of theese are very good coolers, im using the Alpenfohn k2, 69c max on an i7 920 @4.0ghz, fans on it arent too loud either. Low profile ram is a must have with all of the above coolers.
 
All those that Setter suggested are good, but I'd go for the Silver Arrow. It's what I'm using now.
 
Case clearance is another thing to watch out for. As some of theese coolers are pretty tall.
 
Theyre about on par with the high end air coolers. But the stock fans are reputed to be very loud. One great advantage they offer is that they take up a lot less room.

Personally, im not that struck on them, as there are reports of the pumps failing. Air coolers on the other hand cant go wrong unless you mount them poorly. But the same can be said about any cooler, waterblock etc.
 
What is your sidecover to CPU/motherboard clearance and how tall is your RAM?

There are many good coolers beside those mentioned above.

Here is a list of a few with number of pipes, size and RAM clearance.
Cooler size comparison (Width x Depth x Height looking from front of case with motherboard laying flat)
K2 . . . . . .= . . . . 8x 6mm pipes 140x128x158mm 146x154x160mm w/ 120mm & 140mm PWM fans 43.2mm*
D14 . . . . .= . . . . 6x 6mm pipes 140x130x160mm 140x158x160mm w/ only 2011 has PWM fans 44mm*
TC14 . . . . .= . . . 5x 8mm pipes 140x134x160mm 140x159x171mm w/fans, PWM adaptor included 40-45mm*
Silver Arrow . = . 4x 8mm pipes 147x123x160mm 151x149x160mm w/Fans 40.87mm*
SA SB-E . . . .= . . 8x 6mm pipes 155x105x164mm 170x130x170mm w/ 140mm & 150mm PWM fans 31.9/39/46mm**
SA SB-E Extreme 8x 6mm pipes 155x105x164mm 155x130x165mm w/fans Reason it's smaller is 140mm fan vs 150mm fan.
HE01 . . . . .= . . . 6x 6mm pipes 140x119c160mm w/ 140x38mm PWM fan
Dark Rock Pro .= 7x 6mm pipes 133x124x166mm 133x149x166mm w/ 120mm & 135mm PWM fans
*cooler base to fins.
**fins are at 3 different levels

Another I just thougth of is to consider are Scythe Mine 2

Then there are all the great single tower coolers
 
Ive got the Phanteks PH-TC14PE on a 3570k @ 4.5 and its close to silent with the included PWM adapter ....great cooler but very big.
 
Is your ram low profile or does it have large heatsinks. I use Phanteks PH-TC14PE and it does a good job with a potential 250W overclocked processor draw.
It does take up a lot of motherboard space though.
 
K2 is very good cooler for £55!
The difference between Phanteks / Silver Arrow SB-E and NH-D14, K2, Dark Rock Pro, etc. is only a couple of degrees. Only SA SB-E Extreme with TY-143 2500rpm fans is much cooler.. and it also much louder.

Shop around. There are some good after Xmas prices out there!
 
The k2 seems to pop up on this week only deals pretty often. Even at it's normal full price of £59.99, it's pretty good value. It will also accept Thermalright TY fans should you wish to change out the stock ones. Uncle Petey got a nice temp drop by switching out the stock k2 fans for a pair of TY's.
 
Yep, i remember reading the first k2 review. Wasnt very impressed with it's performance, (looked the part though). Then Helios tested a revised version. This made me choose it to replace my super mega. Im thinking of swapping out the centre 140mm fan for another 120mm 1500 rpm wingboost that i have. Id like a few TY fans, but cash is a bit low at present.
 
Dig deep and grab a couple of TY-147's while the price is so good £5.99 is less than have what a comparable fan costs. And if you the it to fit in a 140x140mm space a good cabinet saw or cabinet miter saw will trim them nicely
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-104-TR&groupid=701&catid=2331&subcat=

TY-140sqfrtcrop_zps2abafc5b-1_zpsf8520cf1.jpg
TY-140sqedgeblk_1rezpsf8ad4b35_zps6b947914.jpg


I know, I painted the housing black. Live with it! :D
If you need them cut I'll do it free, just pay post. :)
 
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setter said:
Uncle Petey got a nice temp drop by switching out the stock k2 fans for a pair of TY's.
Click to expand...

Even better than that actually :)
A single TY-140 @1000rpm in the centre matches the temps I got with two Alpenfohn 120's @1450rpm.
I still think the Wingboosts are good 120mm fans though.

I may take you up on the cutting offer doyll.
 
Do theese need to be cut to fit the k2 Petey? I also see that according to the spec, theyre 26.5mm in depth. The k2 stock fans are 25mm. Wondering if theyd fit into the middle slot ok as its pretty tight.

As case fans, theyd fit fine on the rear slot of my case. It can take either 120/140mm. For front intakes id be sticking with my current silverstone air penetrators. Ive yet to find a better fan for front intake.
 
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Fit fine on K2. Just offering if you guys wanted to put them somewhere that isn't 151x141mm. You end up with same length of flat surface as stock sides but it narrows down in middle some. (see 2nd image above)
 
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