Best Value CPU Cooler?

[archer_dan]

I'm looking to get a cooler that'll keep an E8500 cool when clocked at around 3.6GHz, possibly a little higher, and i'm wondering how much i'm gonna need to spend on a cooler.

I've been looking at the AC Freezer 7 Pro and the Akasa 965BL, both cost around £15. Am I right in thinking that the Akasa provides the better cooling?

I imagine these have noticably worse performance than say, the Thermalright TRUE, but is the difference compared to the expensive coolers worth the extra cost?

 

[TK421]

dunno mate but i have the freezer at 28-30c idle oc at 3.6ghz with the e6850 3.0!!! and load temp about 55-60c..

 

[ukbrainstew]

The Akasa 965 is a noticeably better cooler. CDRinfo have a great review that show's it matches many coolers twice its price. I've got one in two different rigs and can't fault the thing, you'll run in voltage barriers before heat barriers when overclocking any 45nm CPU with it.

 

[MeatLoaf]

The Akasa 965 is a noticeably better cooler. CDRinfo have a great review that show's it matches many coolers twice its price. I've got one in two different rigs and can't fault the thing, you'll run in voltage barriers before heat barriers when overclocking any 45nm CPU with it.

 

[archer_dan]

Thanks for the info, i've been reading some reviews, and looks like the 965 is slightly better than the Freezer 7 in general (also performs surpisingly well compared to coolers that cost over £20 more).

Those who have one, does it come with some decent thermal paste applied, or should i buy some separately?

 

[Kelt]

Personally I wouldn't buy a cooler with a 92mm fan for overclocking. I'd pay the extra and get a 120mm one.

The one in my sig. is a superb cooler for the money (it's the nickel plated LED version of the Xigmatek 1283).

 

[Slashiem]

The Akasa 965 (low range).
Maybe the Akasa 967, because it is based on the Xigmatek HDT-S1283, but Overclockers doesnt have it, but the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 can be found for 20 ish quid and add the bolt kit for it and comes to more or less the same price inc delivery. (Mid/High Range)
Theralright TRUE Black + fan. (High end)

Well that how i see it.

 

[Sean_UK]

The Akasa 965 is a noticeably better cooler.

I've used 965 cooler with loads of Dual Core builds and performs excellent, even with high overclocking. Although much like the AC Freezer 7 Pro; it's rubbish for Quads unless you plan to keep the chip at stock, or close to stock, imo.

 

[Columbo]

Xigmatek HDT-S183 imo. Superb for around £20 and competes with the likes of tuniqs and noctuas.

Ocuk dont sell em tho

 

[chuffnut]

I have an Ak965 on my quad setup.
On full load it runs about 13c cooler than stock and 5c at idle.

 

[fornowagain]

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 as above, very good cooler for the money.

 

[archer_dan]

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 as above, very good cooler for the money.

any hints as to where to find these? my google search doesn't return much in the way of vendors

 

[warren_1979]

Another vote for the AK965. Nothing can compare to it for the price.

 

[Shaolin Chicken]

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 as above, very good cooler for the money.

 

[Columbo]

A certain auction site would'nt be a bad place to start, got mine from there.

 

[mishima]

Coolink Silentator - similar performance to U12P but for much less

 

[cosmir]

For extream air cooling, I recommend you thermalright
ultra 120 (35)
or true black (45)
[Fan is not included]

Those coolers might be one of the best coolers ever

 

[archer_dan]

I've used 965 cooler with loads of Dual Core builds and performs excellent, even with high overclocking. Although much like the AC Freezer 7 Pro; it's rubbish for Quads unless you plan to keep the chip at stock, or close to stock, imo.

So the quads kick out so much more heat that they need more expensive cooling solutions for overclocks?