LGA1366 socket cooler

[NathanT]

I'm looking at overclocking a mates 920 to about 3.8 to 4ghz in the next week or so. At the moment he is using it on stock speeds with a stock cooler.

Case is an antec 300 (with stock fans) with a 120 intake at the front, cable management is crap, the bits have just been thrown in to the case, so I guess I'm going to be cutting holes in the motherboard mounting plate

Motherboard should be happy to clock to these speeds quite easily (used the same board earlier on to hit mid 3's only changing a few options in the bios, was suprised how simple it was) Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R Intel X58

Question is the cooler. I have heard such varied reports on their size, quietness (which is quite a big deal for this guy as he sits with his PC at his feet) and of course ability to cool.
All of these that I'm now completely clueless as to what would be best.

I have been recommended now the following 5 products. Any strong reasons to pick one over the other?

Akasa AK-967 Nero Direct Contact Heatpipe CPU Cooler 26.99 (quiet)
Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme 45.99
Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 CPU Cooler 57.99
Prolimatech Megahalems Performance CPU Cooler 44.99
Titan TTC-NK85TZ Fenrir CPU Cooler 33.99


I have the fenrir on my system, and am not "that" impressed with it, and sometimes it can sound like a small aircraft taking off next to my desk, though of course, price compared to some of the other coolers I'm not able to complain really.

Also, to get the best, coolest and easiest overclock.. is it still advisable to lap and use artic 7 rather than the TIM that comes with the coolers?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[FaceplantSi]

TBH in that case you're gonna need to do the cable mgmt pretty well so as to give good airflow as i7's at 4GHz do get hot. That being said I used to have that case with a skt 775 version of the Noctua cooler and it fits perfectly and is virtually silent whilst also giving good cooling - my money is on that out of your list. It is expensive, but you do get two of the best fans around in terms of their static pressure and noise levels.

I am using the 1366 Noctua on my rig atm and it's a great setup for noise vs cooling potential, but as I already said, you do need good case airflow to help things along.

 

[territt]

TBH in that case you're gonna need to do the cable mgmt pretty well so as to give good airflow as i7's at 4GHz do get hot. That being said I used to have that case with a skt 775 version of the Noctua cooler and it fits perfectly and is virtually silent whilst also giving good cooling - my money is on that out of your list. It is expensive, but you do get two of the best fans around in terms of their static pressure and noise levels.

I am using the 1366 Noctua on my rig atm and it's a great setup for noise vs cooling potential, but as I already said, you do need good case airflow to help things along.

Hope you dont mind me jumping in on your thread but just wanted to ask FaceplantSi if you know if the Noctua will fit in a cosmos s case?

 

[FaceplantSi]

Hope you dont mind me jumping in on your thread but just wanted to ask FaceplantSi if you know if the Noctua will fit in a cosmos s case?

I have no personal experience of that case, so would suggest you send a webnote to ask sales... also post in the case central forum. I would guess yes, but better to be certain as it is expensive!

 

[Xelene]

There was a write up at The Reg of 10 coolers - might help with initial research

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/07/07/review_accessory_cpu_coolers/

It's nowhere near as thorough as a regular indepth review, but makes for a decent overview.

Now my time to hijack

Anyone can recommend a cooler that wont block any of the RAM slots? I had been looking at the Megahelem - but apparently it blocks the RAM. (I have 6 sticks)