Stumped on the best CPU cooler to get for this build

TheBigCheese

TheBigCheese

TheBigCheese

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Hi everyone

I'm cobbling together a new system and I'm a bit stumped for the best CPU cooler to go for, initially it was going to be a Corsair H series (I have the H50 already) but I've been reading comments on here saying they are quite noisy in one way or another.

This is what I need:
  • Silent - I'll be working right next to the PC all day and watching films on it at night.
  • Very good at it's job - I'll be encoding HD video which completely grinds my current machine to a halt (hence the upgrade) so it's got to be stable if it's at 100% load for hours on end!
  • I won't be overclocking
  • It will be an Ivybridge 3770K chip

It's going in an Antec 1200 case.

All recommendations are welcome! :D

Thanks.
 
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Sounds obvious, but if you're not overclocking and you want silent, why not just use the Intel retail heatsink and fan?

Failing this, using any of the top selling overclocking heatsinks (Noctua, Alpenfohn etc) with a ultra-low speed fans should do fine.

I haven't looked at Zalman in ages but they might do a completely passive heatsink?
 
Thanks for the reply.

I made the mistake of using the supplied Intel cooler with my original i7 920...blooming awful it was - really loud, which is why I'm looking round.

Thanks for the name drops, I'll go an investigate!

Does anyone recommend anything specific?
 
what sort of case are you using, reason for asking is some of the top end coolers are pretty big, so they might not fit.
 
The Gelid Tranquillo is always recommended as a good cooler, not at all on the pricey side either. Up from that, the Noctua NH-D14 (or whichever of those fits your board), or H80/100 I've heard good things about.
 
have you got ram with tall heat spreaders?
if so it may be a tight fit or not fit at all as one of the fans cover a ram slot
 
If you're using it for encoding and you're buying a separate heat sink, I think you're crazy not to overclock it, especially now that it has become so easy.
 
Cythx said:
A silent cooler.... in a Antec 1200?
Click to expand...

I don't know if you have the case already but these things aren't exactly what I would use to build a 'silent' pc. I have one at the moment and while the air flow in it is impressive and it's a great case, it is far from quiet.

As for cooling, if you want something quiet and cheap the OcUK version of the H80 is on deal this week (unit comes without fans). Lots of answered questions and helpful pictures in this thread.
 
Would think if fans are at low speed it should be fairly quiet. Have build a couple of systems in old junk cases using cheap Antec TriCool fans in holes cut in sides and front with cheap filter covers and they were quiet enough users would forget to turn them off.

IMHO air cooled is quieter then water cooled... pumps make an aggravating noise. ;)
 
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