Help with CPU cooler choice

Cenchria

Cenchria

Cenchria

Associate
Joined
15 Mar 2015
Posts
23
Location
Plymouth
Hi I'm currently looking at upgrading my system and I want to get a new cpu cooler as the one I have at the moment (Cooler Master Hyper TX3 EVO) isn't quite good enough for the overclocking I want to do. I'd prefer to go air rather than an AIO and my budget is up to about £65. With that in mind the cooler I've been looking at is the Noctua NH-U14 S. What are peoples opinions on this cooler? And would anyone choose any others over it?

This cooler looked good to me as it has slim dimensions and my motherboard is quite tight for space between the CPU and the RAM slots, the RAM I have also has relatively large heatsinks so I think that would be a problem with some coolers. My spec:

RAM: Patriot Intel Extreme masters 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit
MOBO: Asrock Z75 Pro3 Socket 1155 VGA HDMI 7.1 ATX

As for the case I will be purchasing a Fractal design define R5 at the same time as whatever cooler I decide on.

Any help would be much appreciated
 
mickyflinn said:
I understand you want to go air but for the price and that case is ideal for a 240mm rad aio and no worries about your ram.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £69.89
(includes shipping: £9.90)

http://www.eteknix.com/antec-kuhler-h20-h1200-pro-h600-pro-aio-water-cooler-review/
Click to expand...

For that price that is a very tempting proposition! Have you any experience with that cooler? I'm slightly hesitant as apart from the review you linked I'm struggling to find many other opinions on it?

Thanks for the help
 
Good for not covering ram slots, quiet in low setting and keeps an FX 9590 cool.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

Total: £53.69
(includes shipping: £8.70)
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I bought the NH-U14S this week after quite a bit of research, haven't had time to install it yet but I did read a lot of reviews and it looked like a good choice, noise was a big factor for me though so I dunno if you're more interested in just pure cooling
 
Went for the Antec kuhler h1200 in the end, extremely pleased with the temperatures I'm getting so far, time to overclock a bit more I think!
 
What nkata said.
The only reason the D15 might be 1-2c cooler is because it has 1500rpm fans while PH-TC14PE has 1300rpm fans. How well you optimize your case airflow to supply cooler with air within a few degrees of room ambient is way more important. It is common to see air tempi into cooler 10-15c warmer than room. Lower that 5-10c and your CPU will be 5-10c lower in temp as well. ;)

I wouldn't even consider a CLC. They might be a degree or two cooler, but at the expense of twice to three times as much noise. They are not as dependable with pumps being the biggest failure issue, and if pump fails you cannot use your system until CLC is replaced. With air coolers the fans are only thing that can fail, and they rarely do. If one does, any fan will work until suitable replacement arrives so system is still usable.
 
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All three are overkill for me, I'm just getting itchy as my new case is silver and I wanted a new shiny silver heatsink to go inside, despite the fact I'll never see it. My Phanteks PH-TC14PE is red you see.

I wouldn't go CLC for all the reasons mentioned, primarily silence.
 
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Is the Darkrock Pro 3 up there with the best. I like the looks but the mounting system is a bit pants.

My 2nd choice is the Phanteks PH-TC14PE. I had one when they were 3pin fans supplied and a pwm converter. Do they now come with pwm fans ?

NHD15 probably cools the best but can't get over the look of the fans, and I have no intentions of replacing them.
 
Yes, Dark Rock Pro 3 sacrifices a couple degrees to be quieter.
PH-TC14PE now comes with PWM fans.
NH-D15 cools no better than PH-TC14PE and other top coolers.
 
Flanno said:
Is the Darkrock Pro 3 up there with the best. I like the looks but the mounting system is a bit pants.

My 2nd choice is the Phanteks PH-TC14PE. I had one when they were 3pin fans supplied and a pwm converter. Do they now come with pwm fans ?

NHD15 probably cools the best but can't get over the look of the fans, and I have no intentions of replacing them.
Click to expand...

There;s a barely used Dark Rock Pro 3 in the MM at the minute.
 
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