Rookie question - may be impossible...

jonmal · 28 Feb 2013 at 17:18

Hi, Please forgive novice question. I am searching for a CPU cooler that will do a modest job for my modest overclocking needs. I have a i5-2500k CPU on an Asus P8Z77M mobo. The case is a pretty standard ATX box. I only want to clock up a little for Flight SimX so I don't need mega cooling and anyway my case has obvious limitations. I would also like to be able to fit this cooler without removing the mobo. (I know this annoys many but I simply don't have those skills or nerves

The price does not matter if I could find the right fan/cooler that would fit and do a decent job.
I'll appreciate any advice from you experts - thanks.

John

HecFam · 28 Feb 2013 at 17:21

Does the side of the case open to view the back of the motherboard? Because installing a backplate will be really really bloody tricky if you don't want to remove the mobo.

Blue160 · 28 Feb 2013 at 17:57

Arctic cooling freezer 7 pro fits via push pins. Not the most extreme cooling, but quiet, cheap and lots better than the stock heat sink.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-035-AR&groupid=701&catid=2330&subcat=2338

j.col · 28 Feb 2013 at 18:30

Blue160 said:
Arctic cooling freezer 7 pro fits via push pins. Not the most extreme cooling, but quiet, cheap and lots better than the stock heat sink.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-035-AR&groupid=701&catid=2330&subcat=2338

also agree with this, push pin is best way if you dont want to remove the mobo.

hominid · 28 Feb 2013 at 18:34

I have the Artic freezer 7 pro on my [email protected] and it runs under 60C most of the time at load, the only time I've seen it higher is either from benchmarking or stability tests - good cooler.

jonmal · 28 Feb 2013 at 19:24

Thanks guys this sound brilliant! I take it it would fit OK into my "ordinary" case.

jonmal · 28 Feb 2013 at 19:26

One more thing - I see it comes with thermal paste already applied, but some reviews say it's better to use better stuff. What do you think?

Blue160 · 28 Feb 2013 at 19:33

I used mine with the pre applied paste, and later refitted it using MX2. There was no more than 1C between them. I always use pre applied when it's there. Saves lots of faff.

Rubicant · 28 Feb 2013 at 19:34

jonmal said:
One more thing - I see it comes with thermal paste already applied, but some reviews say it's better to use better stuff. What do you think?

If i remember correctly, arctic freezer use MX-2 Paste which is excellent!
Save yourself the hassle of having to remove it and re-apply
another TIM.

jonmal · 28 Feb 2013 at 19:40

Thanks so much for all this help. I've just ordered one!