Air vs closed loop water for prodigy 2500k build?

squarehead94

squarehead94

squarehead94

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as title, wondering if say a cheap coolermaster hyper 212+ is sufficient for a 2500k, clocked to say 4.2ghz, in a bitfenix prodigy, or should i go for a closed loop water setup, say a h60i? budget is important, but if needs must, ill get the better.
cheers
 
In that price range I would look at Thermalright True Spirit 120, Macho HR-02, Macho 120, True Spirit 140 if it will fit, Alpenfohn Matterhorn, Phanteks PH-TC14DX white.. all are £25.00 - £40.00
 
which is the best? Im looking to keep my rig, fairly quiet, what would be the best cooler to help achieve this? bitfenix prodigy, gtx480/7870 2gb depending on finances, which cooler provides the best ratio of cool/quiet at a good price point? I firmly believe in bang for buck so if it is a little dearer for a significantly better one, i will pay it, or look for used.
 
What motherboard? I'm not up on these smaller motherboards but do know some are okay with normal coolers and some have CPU socket too close to PCI slot/slots.
 
Hello again my friend :P, you have threads everywhere!

The Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO (don't get the plus) is perfectly viable and will keep your i5 2500k cool. I have the same CPU and the EVO, idle temps are in the 30's and load is in the 50's which are excellent temperatures for a budget cooler (which is one of the best coolers in the price range). The EVO is virtually silent below 50% speed (on the stock fan), you can only hear the fan moving air (VERY quietly) if you put your ear like 1cm away from the fan.

Of-course a closed loop will perform better, but think think about it, is it really needed? no its not.

Or you can look at slightly more expensive coolers if you desire but its not necessary.
 
Last edited:
doyll said:
What motherboard? I'm not up on these smaller motherboards but do know some are okay with normal coolers and some have CPU socket too close to PCI slot/slots.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

Unless its the Asus Z77 motherboard it won't accomodate a big aircooler. A CLC will fit any board.
 
yeah the board I will be getting, is the Asus P8z77i deluxe if thats the correct title.

looks like the hyper 212 will be the cooler for me then! Ill only be clocking up around 12-15 hours a week on the rig anyway, maybe a 3rd of that actually gaming. So I reckon it will barely touch max load, other than when I stress test it :)

And yeah, I have a lot of questions about this new rig, want to make sure ive got everything to a T for when I build it :)

cheers guys!
 
Once I build it, I will :) (and ill do a build log, posting pictures of mid build and stuff I guess) Holding out for the blue Bitfenix prodigy it looks tasty! My 3930k setup is supposed to be selling saturday, so Ill be able to pre order the case, buy the board now and pick up an SSD right away. if it doesnt sell yet, ill just pre order the case and buy the board payday, then they should arrive at the same time i guess as paydays the end of the month and the case is due out then too so.
 
Skip the H60i, the performance is pretty poor for the price.

The Hyper 212 is the cookie cutter cooler, and for good reason. Unless you're shooting for big overclocks or really care about noise it's all you'll need.
 
I do kind of really care about noise im afraid bud :/ but tbh ill grab the cooler and if i dont like it sell it on and get something else, worth a punt at the price point anyway! i wont be overclocking right now either so ill have it a while at least!
 
fishingcat, the EVO is silent when you put the fan below 50%, I just set it to 12% and to speed up when my CPU hits 60c in the BIOS, which it never does.
 
To be honest ill only ever come close to load if i purposely do it when benching it.
Thanks for the input i really am excited about this build now :D
 
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