Need help deciding on CPU cooler/fans for Sabertooth Z77/HAFX-M asthetic

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Started a new build today.

So far only have the HAF-X M, Corsair AX860 PSU (with black individually braided cable kit) and the Sabertooth Z77, plus 3770K cpu..

I'm going for a mainly black and some red colour scheme. I've kept the front 200mm coolermaster red led fan and mounted 2 coolermaster megaflow red led fans on the roof and moved the roof fan to the sidepanel (this fan already has black fan wiring). I've added a rear Corsair AF140 140mm fan (with red ring), and 2 Corsair AF120 Low noise fans (also with red rings) as intakes on the hard drive cages. The front and rear fans are plugged into the motherboard headers. And the remaining 5 fans are plugged into an NZXT Sentry Mesh fan controller, which goes with the HAF very nicely. All fan cables going to the board along with usb, hd audio, and front panel controls use Bitfenix individually sleeved black cables. Same with the motherboard assist fan for the rear, have replaced with a Noiseblocker 40mm and using bitfenix fan extension cable.

I am now stuck on what cpu cooler/fans to get.

I'm considering 3 options and would be interested in hearing opinions. Obviously while performance and noise levels are important, I want something that will match what I am after.

I have ruled out the Corsair H80i over reliability issues and probably the H100i also as it would also mean having to ditch the 2 megaflows on top. The H110 wont fit in the roof over the case having 15mm fan spacing.

So here is what I am considering :
1. Corsair H90 - but is there any decent PWM 140mm fans that would match my motherboard/case. Perhaps the stock one is good enough. The AF140 I have is not suited for cpu cooling over low static pressure I think.

2. Megahalems (black or red) and I could mount 2 Corsair SP120 PWM fans if I bought 2 pairs of the megahalems fat fan clips. This sounds perfect from an aesthetic point of view but not sure how good the Megahalems is compared to dual tower coolers. Will likely be overclocking so dont want to limit myself.

3. Phanteks PH-TC14PE black seems an obvious choice but I dislike the white surrounds on the 140mm fans and dont want white sleeving Would also mean having to replace the AF140 with a Phantek 140, and likely replace the 2 Corsair AF120's with the Phantek equivalent. Or I guess I could just switch to white rings on the Corsair fans. But I'm trying to stick to black and red only. Again, are there any decent PWM 140mm fans which don't buzz or click that would work with this cooler ?

Thanks in advance
 
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I think you've found the two best options. Both are very good coolers.

Phanteks is an option in red or black but would need to change fans or paint the housings black... more money.
 
So the Megahalems still rates compared with the Phanteks ?

I would consider the Phanteks in black if considerably better than the Meghalems and even go as far to change the fans if there were decent 140mm pwm fans on the market. But doesn't the Phanteks use special clips which slip through the rubber grommets on their fans which use 120mm mounting holes ?

The simplest option might be a megahalems with a pair of the new Corsair SP120 pwm fans. What you reckon ? Will that handle clocking a 3770K to 4.2ghz ? would be using 2x8gb (likley some low profile stuff), and either a 7970 or GTX680.

I was also considering the H90 but to be honest, just dont want to risk a noisy pump. I had 2 H50's which has that problem and I believe it got worse on the H80 and H100. I gave up after the H50.
 
The megahalems can handle a 4.2ghz 3770k I run a 2500k at 4.7 with no issues, temps stay below 80.

The pwm sp120's would be a good idea, you would need special fan clips as I dont think the mega comes with the required ones.
YOUR BASKET
1 x Prolimatech Megahalem Fan Wire Clip - 120mm x 25mm £3.98
Total : £6.26 (includes shipping : £1.90).



You need those for the corsairs as the standard clips only work with a square frame and the corsair has a rounded frame.

The phanteks is a good cooler tbh, it comes down the asthetics, and price, the meghalems is expensive and doesnt come with fans. both will handle your cpu.

OCUK use the Megahalems on one of their i7 3770k bundles running at 4.4 on a sabertooth
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-108-OE&groupid=43&catid=2479
 
In the end I ordered a Phantek PH-TC14PE.

I have read comments that this heatsink has 120mm mount holes. It looks like you insert plastic clips into the holes for the heatsink wires to grab onto.

Does this mean I could use any 120mm fan with the Phanteks ?
I wonder would a pair of the new Corsair SP120 pwm fans fit ?
 
Yes you can use 120mm fans depending on how the frame is designed. The corners need to be open like Phanteks fans. At a guess the SP120 corners are too thick to use the Phanteks corner pins but you could make some with pull-ties.

Why are you choosing SP120 fans?
 
doyll said:
Yes you can use 120mm fans depending on how the frame is designed. The corners need to be open like Phanteks fans. At a guess the SP120 corners are too thick to use the Phanteks corner pins but you could make some with pull-ties.

Why are you choosing SP120 fans?
Click to expand...

Mainly for aesthetics. I'm trying for a black/red theme, so I have red rings on rear AF140, 2-AF120 intakes and considering replacing the 2 top megaflows with AF140's also. If I use the stock phantek fans, it means using white rings which is ok I guess. But likely then have to get white braided cables for usb, hd audio, 3pin fans, and psu motherboard connectors :)

Also, I'm thinking SP120's will have very good static pressure compared to the stock Phanteks fans. But I guess the Phanteks is optimised for lower airflow situations anyway.
 
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I have installed in case and. Not as easy as out but I didn't have a real problem with it. I would suggest practicing and doing a complete install without thermal paste to be sure you have it all figured out.. including installing the fans.
 
In my Arc Midi it was a huge PITA to install.

Mounting the retention bracket across the base plate is hell when you can get at the top end because of the case restrictions. Plugging in the fan header wasn't fun either.

Performance is great though.
 
Arc Midi is a small case (230x460x515mm) so would be harder to work in. HAF-X M is bigger (252(W) x 530.5(H) x 579(D)mm) should be easier to work in.
 
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