Looking To Buy A CPU Cooler.

arc@css · 6 Dec 2015 at 19:15

Hi,

I've had my 3570K for just over three years now, and for the entire duration I have been using the stock cooler, which I have to say has done me well. However, due to the high temps associated with encoding, I think it's about time I ordered a 'proper' cooler.

Now, money isn't an issue, however I would rather not have something that is complicated to fit / requires me to remove my motherboard, etc.

What would you suggest?

Nichrome · 7 Dec 2015 at 17:56

Hi

Seems like not all threads get answers (just like mine created 2~ weeks ago or so

)
Personally I used Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo. Cheap, performs VERY well. Later on I changed to Corsair H80i (single radiator all in one water cooler). Performed just like the cheap CM Evo I mentioned, although water cooling looks great

Now I am running custom water loop with CPU and GPU under the water (which is the best cooling you can get to be honest).
Air cooler: grab the Evo I mentioned
AiO water cooler: Corsair H80i or H100i are great.

Bickaxe · 7 Dec 2015 at 18:29

The Evo is a good option. An alternative for a bit more cash would be the Noctua range which I think offer the best air cooling or go for an AIO as suggested which will be similar in price.

Air cooling will be quieter, you will get slightly better temps with an AIO depending on what you go for

ShivP · 7 Dec 2015 at 18:57

Anything decent will require you to remove the motherboard

The 212 Evo is ok for the price, but beaten by cheaper alternatives e.g. Themis, Pure Rock etc

What case are you running? The HAF X in sig?

new boy · 7 Dec 2015 at 18:59

Most cases have an access point behind the motherboard so you can fit a cooler with the motherboard in place.

arc@css · 7 Dec 2015 at 20:13

Shivy011 said:
Anything decent will require you to remove the motherboard

Really?

Shivy011 said:
What case are you running? The HAF X in sig?

Yes.

Thanks for the input so far, people. I haven't had a watercooled CPU in years, and although I don't know much about that side of things, I still think I'd rather stick to air cooling.

Bickaxe · 7 Dec 2015 at 21:56

Pretty sure the Haf X has a motherboard cut out so you wouldn't need to remove the mobo to put a new cooler in.
You can go up to 190mm. Which is pretty much every cooler available I think.

setter · 8 Dec 2015 at 19:28

For air, the big dual towers are hard to beat, stuff like the noctua D14/15, phanteks PH-TC14PE. Using an alpenfohn k2 which is similair in performance to the D14. Main issue though with some of theese heatsinks is that they limit you to lower profile ram.

arc@css · 8 Dec 2015 at 19:41

Hey, Setter.

I 'think' my memory should be okay; it's Patriot Viper 3 Black Mamba, iirc.

setter · 8 Dec 2015 at 19:48

arc@css said:
Hey, Setter.

I 'think' my memory should be okay; it's Patriot Viper 3 Black Mamba, iirc.

I had a set of that in red, as long as the ram was installed before the cooler it was fine. Unfortunately though the kit was faulty. That was on my Z87 asus formula board. Ended up with low profile team group vulcan. Current ram is similair in height to the patriot and fits very easily below my k2.

arc@css · 8 Dec 2015 at 19:58

I'll probably take off the rear panel of the case just to see the back of the mounting area, and if all is okay, I'll go and order something like the D15. :eek:

setter · 8 Dec 2015 at 20:00

Looking at pics of the Haf X. It seems to have a pretty decent sized cutout on the mobo tray to allow easy cooler mounting.

new boy · 8 Dec 2015 at 20:21

just to make sure we all on the same page. U WONT be overclocking? U just want somthing to keep the CPU cool @ stock speeds while encoding?

If so, you definatly dont need to be spending d14/d15 money

arc@css · 8 Dec 2015 at 20:50

new boy said:
just to make sure we all on the same page. U WONT be overclocking? U just want somthing to keep the CPU cool @ stock speeds while encoding?

If so, you definatly dont need to be spending d14/d15 money

Eventually, I shall be overclocking it further than what the stock cooler allows, yes.

If the numbers are correct (and also my assumption), then it would appear that I have a good chip.

arc@css · 9 Dec 2015 at 17:57

Does anyone have opinions on the Akasa range?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/air-...rmance-cooling?cksuppliers=22&ssort=4&cktab=0

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/akasa-venom-medusa-cpu-cooler-hs-099-ak.html

^^^ The chap in the review has the same ram as me, so the height should be no problem.

setter · 9 Dec 2015 at 18:01

Havent used any Akasa coolers, but that medusa looks very like the NH-D14. I can vouch for the fans that are fitted to it as ive used both vipers and piranhas from Akasa, great cooling but they are a bit loud at full speed, particularly the 1900 rpm 120mm model.

arc@css · 9 Dec 2015 at 18:07

setter said:
Havent used any Akasa coolers, but that medusa looks very like the NH-D14. I can vouch for the fans that are fitted to it as ive used both vipers and piranhas from Akasa, great cooling but they are a bit loud at full speed, particularly the 1900 rpm 120mm model.

Hey,

I've got the D15 in my basket, but I'm just checking around for anything that rivals it & that looks nice.

snips86x · 9 Dec 2015 at 18:08

^^ Same here! The cooler design looks very much like the K2, of which is very good, and the fans are spot on. I have 3 in my Evolv, can't fault them.

setter · 9 Dec 2015 at 18:15

arc@css said:
Hey,

I've got the D15 in my basket, but I'm just checking around for anything that rivals it & that looks nice.

The medusa looks good going by reviews, and its cheaper than the D15. The noctua D14 is a similair price and probably performs the same, but personally i think the fans supplied with their coolers look terrible.

arc@css · 9 Dec 2015 at 18:15

Yes, it does rather seem as if Noctua is the 'Daddy' of coolers.

Looking To Buy A CPU Cooler.

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