Looking for a cooler for a 4670k.4770k

starmanwarz · 7 Oct 2013 at 01:54

I'm getting one of these CPU's (haven't decided yet) and I am looking for a very good cooler. I plan on overclocking the CPU as much as I can, won't push it to it's limits though.

I was looking at the Corsair H100i but I am not sure if it will fit in my old (2007 model) case, a Thermaltake Armour LCS (which has watercooling). It may be possible to place the rad where my old one used to be (bottom front of the case). Also, there are quite a few complaints about the H100 so I am a bit scared.

Another solution is Air cooling, but I don't know how good is the airflow in my case. Here are all the fans I have in my case

http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model_specification.aspx?id=c_00000142

Is an Air solution going to be noisy/dump heat in my case? Which coolers would you recommend?

Make · 7 Oct 2013 at 08:13

H100 will probably not fit on the bottom of a case due to short hoses. Fit it on top only.

However I haven't hard that many complaints, considering they've probbly sold millions.

starmanwarz · 7 Oct 2013 at 10:04

I can't fit it on top because the PSU is there. Looking for other options then, what about the H80? Any Air coolers you recommend?

Make · 7 Oct 2013 at 10:21

Depends on you budget, but i'll try to avoid any recommendations as I don't know that case.. however, the H80 should be just fine with any case and will do fine for a mild overclock (4.2ghz, 4.4ghz maybe).

Wait for other opinions though

starmanwarz · 7 Oct 2013 at 10:26

I don't want to spend more than £80-90.

I see in other threads the Noctua NHD14 is popular, would that be a good choice?

Make · 7 Oct 2013 at 10:37

If it will fit in your case it will be one of the best air coolers your money can buy

It is huge but quite quiet. These liquid coolers have nothing on it.

starmanwarz · 7 Oct 2013 at 10:45

Make said:
If it will fit in your case it will be one of the best air coolers your money can buy It is huge but quite quiet. These liquid coolers have nothing on it.

Awesome!

Why wouldn't it fit though? I don't have a side fan so I don't see the problem?

Also, if I get the Noctua, will I have problems with the RAM on a Gigabyte Z87X UD3H board?

stulid · 7 Oct 2013 at 11:05

Do you know what RAM you want?

starmanwarz · 7 Oct 2013 at 11:09

stulid said:
Do you know what RAM you want?

Not really, haven't done any research yet

. I will probably go with 2x4GB sticks for now.

stulid · 7 Oct 2013 at 11:12

That gives you an idea of how big the NH-D14 is and that Ripjaw RAM will just about fit.

Normally its easier to stick to low-profile RAM with these big air coolers, have you seen this that I done? - http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18512639

kfouwels · 7 Oct 2013 at 11:23

starmanwarz said:
Awesome!

Why wouldn't it fit though? I don't have a side fan so I don't see the problem?

Also, if I get the Noctua, will I have problems with the RAM on a Gigabyte Z87X UD3H board?

If you have "Low Profile" ram, aka without the silly go-faster heat fins, you should be fine. You will however want to fit the ram BEFORE the cooler.

starmanwarz · 7 Oct 2013 at 11:29

Very useful links, thanks!

The distance from the CPU to the case is around 17cm, i just measured it. Not 100% sure on this though.

Helios1234 · 7 Oct 2013 at 11:41

starmanwarz said:
I don't want to spend more than £80-90.

I see in other threads the Noctua NHD14 is popular, would that be a good choice?

The Noctua is very good but there are cheaper alternative. The Alpenfohn K2 is cheaper and just as good. The Thermalright Silver Arrow SBE (Non-Extreme) is even cheaper and quieter, but performs as well if not better than the other two. Regarding size, just bare in mind that the Thermalright is 170mm tall while the other two are 160mm tall so check that your case can cater for them.

Also, as the others have mentioned, make you you get low profile RAM, ie ones without huge heatsinks. The K2 and Noctua can accommodate taller memory modules likes the G.Skill RipJaws but will struggle with Corsair Vengeance kits. Maybe go for something like the Avexir modules, then you can still fit any cooler you want.

starmanwarz · 7 Oct 2013 at 12:14

How about the Corsair H80i? Saves me a lot of trouble

Make · 7 Oct 2013 at 12:34

You'll be fine with all of these for 4.2-4.4ghz OC no problems

Just make sure your airflow is OK, which in that case it should be.

Helios1234 · 7 Oct 2013 at 12:42

starmanwarz said:
How about the Corsair H80i? Saves me a lot of trouble

Air coolers tend to be quieter for the equivalent or even better performance, and far more reliable.

starmanwarz · 7 Oct 2013 at 12:47

I believe that the Noctua would fit in my case, will I have to remove the fan in the back of the case? Here's a pic

stulid · 7 Oct 2013 at 13:18

Are you sure a 240mm rad wont fit in the roof or where the current radiator is?

Make · 7 Oct 2013 at 13:25

Helios1234 said:
Air coolers tend to be quieter for the equivalent or even better performance, and far more reliable.

Some air coolers, the TOP-end maybe, if airflow is good.

There aren't many air coolers that beat a H100i when it is used on the top as an intake. And yes, it stays quiet.

Reliabiltiy is very relative, if one out a 10.000 fails, it's still worse than 0 out of a million air coolers, but it is a very small chance.

Usually the temp difference between "quiet" and "full speed" is 4-5 degrees on AiO's, it's the same on air.. so I wouldn't say they are louder either.

starmanwarz · 7 Oct 2013 at 13:30

stulid said:
Are you sure a 240mm rad wont fit in the roof or where the current radiator is?

It probably could fit in the front, where the current rad is but the tubes are not long enough to reach the CPU.

I will be getting the Gigabyte UD4H which has a nice layout, the CPU slot should allow me to use the Noctua without removing the fan on the bottom of the case (I think)

I think it will fit nicely. Also considering the H80 but I will probably order the Noctua.