Need help choosing a heatsink.

lewishead · 6 Dec 2013 at 00:03

Hey guys, I have an i7 3770k cpu and a Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) mobo. I've been using the stock cooler since I purchased it so I haven't ever been able to OC much because of temps. I'm looking to purchase a new heatsink but literally have no idea what to get.

I'm not after the best in the world, it just has to work with that mobo and cpu and offer decent advantages over the stock cooler (Ideally id like to be able to OC to 4.5. Is there anything in the affordable price range that would suit my needs? I think I would be willing to go to £40 on this.

Fulax · 6 Dec 2013 at 00:08

Which case are you using? Don't want to buy a heatsink that won't fit your case

Bart_Hunt · 6 Dec 2013 at 00:10

Prolimatech Megahalems + 2 120mm pwm fans if you add a bit more £ or Zalman CNPS11X.
You can always replace fan on that Zalman if it is to loud for you.
I currently own the black megahalems with 2 120mm akasa apache pwm fans and my 4770k at stock speeds never exceeded 45 C. Max was at 4.3 ghz oc and 65 C. Didn't try any higher but it should handle up to 4.5.

Edit: ah yes, check your case for max cpu height. Most allow up to 160mm but there are ecceptions :-)

Zalman is 154mm tall and Megahalems 159mm.

lewishead · 6 Dec 2013 at 00:10

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-037-ZA

This is the one!

lewishead · 6 Dec 2013 at 00:15

Thanks for the info Bart!

Bart_Hunt · 6 Dec 2013 at 00:17

It should allow any heatsink up to 160mm with case witdh being 209mm, so both Zalman and Megahalems will fit.

lewishead · 6 Dec 2013 at 00:19

Ah sweet, out of curiosity how much better are these coolers than the ones I see around listed around £20? Is it a considerable step up?

Fulax · 6 Dec 2013 at 00:23

Looking at some reviews, the Zalman is said to perform well, but uses low quality components and is a nightmare to install. The Meghalems would be nice, but out of budget.

Alternatives:

YOUR BASKET
1 x be quiet! shadow rock pro sr1 cpu cooler £39.95
1 x alpenföhn matterhorn pure edition cpu cooler £29.99
total : £79.54 (includes shipping : £8.00).

the alpenfohn looks great value. here's a review: http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/alpenfoehn_matterhorn_pure_cpu_cooler_review,1.html

BeQuiet make some good stuff too, and you can bet it will be quiet. A review: http://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/henry-butt/be-quiet-shadow-rock-pro-sr1-cpu-cooler/

By the way, what RAM are you using? Tall modules and big heatsinks don't always fit together.

lewishead · 6 Dec 2013 at 00:28

Both of those look great, I'll do a bit of research on each and prolly go with one of those two. Thank's very much you've been amazingly helpful!

Bart_Hunt · 6 Dec 2013 at 00:30

Ah sorry

I can't look at heatsinks only from cooling perspective.
If it isn't an 'eye candy' i mostly don't even look at it :-)

Fulax's advice is better if you have tight budget and/or dont care much about appearance.

lewishead · 6 Dec 2013 at 00:34

Haha don't worry, the help is also appreciated n__n