I5 2500k stock cooler

matthewwhitton · 9 Sep 2011 at 22:54

Hi, was wondering if the stock cooler is any good? What about when a small overclock is applied?

Jokester · 9 Sep 2011 at 22:56

I found it was perfectly acceptable for overclocking mine to 4.4GHz, though it is noisy as to be expected.

matthewwhitton · 9 Sep 2011 at 23:01

Cool, how hot was that getting? I have another cooler on it's way, but it's all getting put together tomorrow....

Jokester · 9 Sep 2011 at 23:02

Stress testing I think it was hitting about 80C.

matthewwhitton · 9 Sep 2011 at 23:03

Oh right, that doesn't sound that bad, why do most people change then? The noise?

Jokester · 9 Sep 2011 at 23:04

Pretty much anything is going to be a better cooler, so you'll be able to overclock further and quieter at the same time.

matthewwhitton · 9 Sep 2011 at 23:06

Thanks for the info.

Mutt · 10 Sep 2011 at 01:42

For something so small it's a noisy little bugger when under stress. I've only oc'ed mine to 4ghz and it's whirring like it's life depended on it. Like Jokester said, anything will be better than stock for efficiency and quietness.

I've so far only tested the CPU on Portal 2. I imagine those volumes will only increase with something more challenging. I've opted for the Noctua NH-D14 until the Phantek is available in this country.

porkmince · 10 Sep 2011 at 11:24

thermaltake frio for the win

john10001 · 11 Sep 2011 at 19:46

Hi Matthew,

Did your i5 and its stock cooler come with any thermal paste? I have the same one as you and I'm sure it has some with it but if so I think I must have misplaced it. I am just doing a new system build atm.

If there is some that comes with the stock cooler I'm just wondering if that thermal paste is any good to use? If not I may get some MX4 or Silver 5 instead.

Thanks
John

Jokester · 11 Sep 2011 at 19:47

The stock cooler comes with it pre-applied, rather than a tube. It's good stuff, on a par with high end TIM.

hardkore · 11 Sep 2011 at 22:06

another vote for the frio. not the best but by far the worst. 4.5ghz at 1.33volts 63c whilst intel burn testing.

rajravat · 12 Sep 2011 at 10:42

anandtech site easily managed 4.4ghz with the stock cooler:

"These chips overclock very well. Both my Core i5-2500K and Core i7-2600K hit ~4.4GHz, fully stable, using the stock low-profile cooler."

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/...-core-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested/3

hardkore · 12 Sep 2011 at 17:47

All chips are different though. Some will hit 4.4ghz at low volts and temps and others will need more volts to hit that speed which = more heat.

Go for a half decent cheap after market cooler. 4.4ghz isn't an insane overclock and any cooler other than the stock one will do a better job.

gug54321 · 12 Sep 2011 at 18:09

hardkore said:
another vote for the frio. not the best but by far the worst. 4.5ghz at 1.33volts 63c whilst intel burn testing.

hardkore · 12 Sep 2011 at 19:35

555BUK · 13 Sep 2011 at 22:02

It will be fine for upto 4GHz. If you want more than that buy a better cooler.

logi-cat · 14 Sep 2011 at 00:14

i would say the stock cooler is only good for 4.0ghz. Anymore and you need to get something a better.

goodl · 16 Sep 2011 at 11:29

I love my H50 though there are better solutions now

bakes0310 · 16 Sep 2011 at 12:01

Jokester said:
Stress testing I think it was hitting about 80C.

Whats the hottest the cpu can go before you need to start worrying?