Advice on CPU cooler for overclocking

Nbuilder · 9 Jul 2016 at 16:38

I am in the process of building a machine that I would like to eventually overclock. I will be using the octa core 5960x on a Deluxe II motherboard and the final piece of the puzzle for me seems to be which cooler to go with.

On one hand I had read quite a bit about the Noctua NH D-15 and it seems to get great reviews all around. On the other I am reading conflicting comments about AIO coolers being better for overclocking than a top air cooler like the Noctua. So upon further reading it seems like the X61 is a good AIO cooler to go with since I can not afford custom at the moment.

So the question is, for overclocking purposes, which to go for, the D-15 (air) or X61 (AIO water)?

If you think there are other coolers worth considering I would love to hear your thoughts too!

chaparral · 9 Jul 2016 at 16:52

All the top end air coolers give about the same performance

I myself is looking at buying the Phanteks PH-TC14PE CPU Cooler ..
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/phanteks-ph-tc14pe-cpu-cooler-black-hs-009-pt.html

That mainly because I want one with a black heatsink..

Nbuilder · 9 Jul 2016 at 17:19

Are you at all concerned about the performance for OC vs an AIO cooler?

This is my question, which out of the two is better for OCing?

Is it simply a case of AIO being cooler whilst the air coolers are quieter?

Helios1234 · 9 Jul 2016 at 17:58

The X61 might be marginally better but at the expense of money and noise. Air coolers are more efficient, in that at a given cost or noise level, they will cool better than an AIO cooler.

Go air.

Nbuilder · 9 Jul 2016 at 20:35

Would the Noctua NH-D15S be the one you would go with?

Helios1234 · 10 Jul 2016 at 00:50

I'd go for the non-S to get the extra fan or the Phanteks.

Nbuilder · 11 Jul 2016 at 13:26

Will do, many thanks!