Spec me a heatsink!

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Nix

Nix

Nix

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I'll be after a heatsink for my CPU soon (i5 3570k) as I'm currently running a stock one.

I'm after good quality, quiet and excellent value.

Suggestions are welcome. :)
 
What case do you have? also what RAM?

What approximate budget?

Need to check things will fit.
 
CPU: Intel i5-3570k @ 3.40GHz
Mobo: Gigabyte Z77-D3H
RAM: Corsair 16GB XMS3 DDR3 @ 1600
GFX: Gigabyte HD 7970 Windforce 3072MB
Hard-drive: OCZ Vertex 4 SSD 128GB
PSU: Corsair TX750W
Case: Fractal R4

Budget isn't really any issue. Just nothing stupidly expensive (i.e. >£100).
 
 
I have just gone for a Xigmatek Aegir for £35

I too have 3570k and a Z77X-D3H. I set the voltage to 1.35v and set boost to 4.7ghz in bios just as a test to see if it was hot and to be honest the temp was 80c.

I now have it at 1.2v at 4.4ghz and it sits at 60c using prime95 as a test.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-017-XG&groupid=701&catid=2330&subcat=2354


The one thing i found is that i have quite high ram heatsinks from Patriot intel extreme masters RAM and the rubber fan mountings on the cooler can be placed quite high so it does not block my ram slots.
 
Thermalright Silver Arrow SB-E Extreme £53.99
The 2x TY-143 2500rpm fans perform same as TY-141 & TY-150 below 1300rpm but you have extra airflow at higher rpm if you want. I run these fan on both my TC14PE and SA SB-E and they never go above 1100rpm @ 50c using Gigabyte ET6 to control fans.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-099-TR&groupid=701&catid=2330&subcat=2352

B grade Phanteks TC14PE white for £54.98
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BG-006-PT&groupid=595&catid=678
 
Guys, I'm looking at buying a heatsink again (didn't do it last time) as my stock is beginning to run a little high.

I can't make my mind up between these:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-020-AL&tool=7

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-046-AL&groupid=701&catid=2330

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-015-NC&tool=3

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-025-NC

I'm currently thinking about the Noctua NH-U12S due to the smaller size. I'm not sure I want something as massive as the Mount Doom or D-14 taking up most of my internal space.

Any input?
 
Lucifer is 7c warmer than K2

If you have the clearance for a 171mm tall cooler the TRUE Spirit 140 Power is exceptional.
It is 1.3c warmer than NH-D14 but 2.5dBA quieter. TRUE Spirit 140 is 3.7c warmer but 2.5dBA quieter. Both sell for about 35 quid.
 
What would people suggest for really dusty environments?

I'm looking at the H100i/H105 at the moment, which would be mounted to the top of my R4 case with the fans blowing up/exhausting out, but two things concern me:

1. The noise

- Currently my GPU cooler is the loudest thing in my case by a large margin. The R4 has sound insulation which helps dampen this, but to install a liquid rad, it would mean removing the insulate at the top of the case. That, combined with the added noise of the Corsair's fans give me cause for concern.

2. Dust

- As said, my house is very dusty, to the point I'm having to wipe everything down daily to avoid a build-up. I'm concerned having a rad at the top of the case makes it a prime target for dust build-up, however with the fans blowing out it may help.

- Ditto for any heatsink rad internally. It's going to build-up whether I like it or not, the question is which is best for my needs.


In terms of heatsinks, I don't really like the idea of having huge bricks overhanging my RAM e.g. Mount Doom, NH-D14

In narrowing it down to alternatives, I'm stuck between the Himalaya 2, the NH-U12S, or going in for a liquid Corsair rad.
 
You can run the fans slower, even swap them out for others, but running them slower should do the trick. Now pump noise... that's a lottery. Some H100i's etc make more noise than others. Gently shaking or tilting the case sometimes helps when it comes to air bubble noise. If your case fits a H105 I'd go for it instead. Heard they are quieter but I haven't played with any yet to be honest.

The idea to have a top rad blowing out as exhaust is good imo, and then remember to place some kind of cover on your case when you turn the PC off? Then no dust at all should get in through the top.
 
Would a liquid rad be quieter than an air cooler?

Not much I can do about my GPU fans really unless I void the warranty. I've found it has resonance at certain RPM, but I've resolved that with some silicone washers and manual fan override when idle. In terms of pure decibels though, it's still very loud. :p

I know performance wise, liquid is better, but in terms of dust will it be the same, better or worse than air? I predict if I bought any heatsink, the rad will be coated in dust within the year despite trying to keep on top of it.
 
Nix said:
Would a liquid rad be quieter than an air cooler?

Not much I can do about my GPU fans really unless I void the warranty. I've found it has resonance at certain RPM, but I've resolved that with some silicone washers and manual fan override when idle. In terms of pure decibels though, it's still very loud. :p

I know performance wise, liquid is better, but in terms of dust will it be the same, better or worse than air? I predict if I bought any heatsink, the rad will be coated in dust within the year despite trying to keep on top of it.
Click to expand...
Honestly, air cools as well or better than CLC, all things being equal. Problem is most testing handicaps air cooler! CLC like H100i add 2 additional case radiator / case fans and use case to separate the radiator's heated exhaust from cool intake air. Optimize case airflow so air cooler gets same temperature air and it will be just as cool.. and quieter as well.

H100i is 4c hotter / 26dBA louder than Cryorig R1 Ultimate; 2c hotter / 28dBA louder than PH-TC14PE
b3_zps674cf879.jpg


H100i is 9c hotter / 1dBA louder than Cryorig R1 Ultimate; 7c hotter / 3dBA louder than PH-TC14
b4_zpsf9f54130.jpg


We can't hear 2dBA difference, 3-4dBA yes. Every 10dBA increase sounds twice as loud to us... 20dBA sounds 4 times as loud, 25dBA increase sounds 6 times as loud, 30dBA increase sounds 8 times as loud.
 
I also think AIO coolers are just not good enough. Either go the full custom high end water cooling route or get a high end air cooler. Even a cooler like HR-02 Macho and TRUE Spirit 140/Power are more than enough and will be on par with most of the AIOs and will perform better or similar under quiet conditions.
 
What Stuen4y said.

AIO / CLC are truly not cost effective. And the noise to performance ratio is much higher than top air.

Top air is excellent performance value.
For between £34.99-40.00 (TRUE Spirit 140 Power) to £49.99-77.99 (Alpoenfohn K2, Phanteks PH-TC14PE, NH-D15, Cryorig R1 Ultimate, Silver Arrow SB-E, Silver Arrow IB-E, etc.) are air coolers that perform as well quieter than top CLC costing £74.99-119.99.

Here are links to HiTech Legion reviews of both
Cryorig R1 Ultimate & H100i
http://www.hitechlegion.com/reviews/cooling/heatsinks/39900-cryorig-r1-ultimate-cpu-cooler-review
14PE, NH-U14S, HE01, H100i
http://www.hitechlegion.com/reviews/cooling/heatsinks/36228-noctua-nh-u14s?showall=&start=3
 
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