8700k cooling

[Progenitor]

Hi folks,

I'm going from a 7700k (w/Hero IX) to an 8700k (w/ Hero X) and from my morning's research (and applying common sense) have come to the conclusion that the H75i that I currently have really, really won't cut it on the 8700k.

From a lot of Googling I've come down to either a Noctua D15 (which seems odd to me to go back to air cooling, having been on AIO for years now), or the NZXT Kraken X62 (with some debate over the 240mm or 280mm version), on Grizzly Kryonaut.

As you lot are far, far more experienced in this than I am, I figured I'd ask for your recommendations - both on these two coolers, and any other coolers that would fit/suit the use.

Notes:

• I'm not intending to overclock it (yet).
• This is in an NZXT S340 Case (note: not the elite), without a window on it (design direction was to have a black obelisk, so I replaced the window panel with a solid panel).
• I don't care about RGB.
• I don't care about price (performance + fit are more important).
• I may replace the fans on the Kraken for Noctua ones if the performance+noise is better.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

<3

 

[TheVoice]

I'm using a Corsair H115i Pro with mine and I've been very happy with it. On quiet mode (lowest pump and fan speeds possible) at the moment with the PC basically idling it's sitting at 26 degrees, and under full load in benchmarking it hovers around 60. I'm pretty happy with that.

 

[Progenitor]

I'm using a Corsair H115i Pro with mine and I've been very happy with it. On quiet mode (lowest pump and fan speeds possible) at the moment with the PC basically idling it's sitting at 26 degrees, and under full load in benchmarking it hovers around 60. I'm pretty happy with that.

Ah I was put off of Corsair coolers as I had an H100i, and the thick tubing without any rotator cuffs on the CPU block made it an absolute sod to install nicely. It was also loud af - which I later discovered was because it was actually knackered from the start - I see on the latest Corsair AIO series they've fixed that by changing the connectors to the cpu block, so I might have a look at them.

 

[pob9]

i have the D14 on my 8700k. oc 4.8 1.245v gaming temps usually 65c . Its easy to fit and runs quietly. Tbh i think you would be pleased with either option. the corsair will be a bit cooler but also a bit more expensive.

 

[TheVoice]

Ah I was put off of Corsair coolers as I had an H100i, and the thick tubing without any rotator cuffs on the CPU block made it an absolute sod to install nicely. It was also loud af - which I later discovered was because it was actually knackered from the start - I see on the latest Corsair AIO series they've fixed that by changing the connectors to the cpu block, so I might have a look at them.

Check out some reviews, I chose this one because many of the reviews said it was very quiet especially with the newer Corsair fans. It's total overkill for my system, but I liked the look of it and had a nice budget to play with this time, so figured why not.

 

[doyll]

First a few details; CLCs are a sub-group of AIOs .. and majority of AIOs on the market are CLCs. The difference is AIOs that are not CLCs have theaded fittings, fill port, higher flowrate pumps that are quieter than CLC pumps and almost all have copper radiators instead of cheap aluminum ones. AIOs that are not CLCs are Swiftech H series made by Swiftech, and Alphacool Eisbaer, Fractal Design Celcius & be quiet! Silent Loop all made by Alphacool. While they generally give lower temps as well as lower noise levels, their real advantage is they give owner the ability to top up coolant every 4-6 months and change coolant every year or two .. or at least add corrosion inhibitors so the copper waterblock does not cause electrolysis to occur with radiator or gunk to grow. They are also better built then CLCs, if pump fails you can replace it, change hose length, change/add radiators, etc. All of these add up to AIOs that are not CLCs being much better than CLCs.

Top tier air coolers like NH-D15, NH-D14, NH-U14S, TRUE Spirit 140 Power, Silver Arrow IB-E Extreme, Archon IB-E X2, Le Grand Macho, PH-TC14PE, Dark Rock Pro 3, Cryorig R1, and others I can't remember of the top are all very close to as good as any CLC when ran at same noise level and usually better and cost less too. Add to this the fact air coolers never wear out (only fan can fail) while CLC pumps can fail at any time and with no provision to top up coolant one working hard looses coolant through the hoses, so after a year or two or maybe three coolant level is low, corrosion inhibitors wear out and we see progressively more and more failures .. all while the air cooler keep right on cooling same as they did new.

We can add to this that if a CLC fails (99.9% of the time it's the pump) there is no CPU cooling until new cooler is installed .. while with an air cooler only the fan can fail, and if it does system still works at low load and any fan can be rubber-banded onto cooler until new one is in hand.

Phanteks PH-TC14PE is £59.99
Noctua NH-U14S is £62.99
Cryorig R1 is £72.95
Noctua NH-D15 is £84.95 .. make sure you have 77.5 mm or more from center CPU toward PCIe sockets for it to clear PCIe sockets. NH-D15S is 67mm center CPU toward PCIe sockets
OcUK does not sell Thermalright but they are available on major internet site at lower or comparable prices.