Which cpu cooler?

arc@css

arc@css

arc@css

Caporegime
Joined
8 Nov 2008
Posts
29,397
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Shinobi xl case, got it here. And an alpenfohn k2 cooler. It's cheaper than the phanteks or noctua, and is within 1c cooling wise. And in my opinion it looks better. Cooling a 3570k at 4.2ghz, 62c max in prime load, extremely quiet cooler with a first class mounting system.

SDC11097.jpg


It's a big cooler, but very well priced. Ignore the white lace in the 5.25 bays, thats my cheap ass ghetto fan mode, as airflow in the shinobi xl is a bit poor.
 
Nice, setter. :)

I've ordered the Shinobi today. Can't wait. It's like Christmas has come early. :D :cool:

Your cpu cooler was recommended in another thread, and is currently one of the ones that I'm eyeing up.
 
It;s an awesome cooler, yes it's quite large. (low profile ram is a need). The fans are very good, good airflow but quiet at idle. The shinobi xl, is a very nice looking case, but airflow in it is terrible with the stock fans. Due to the cases closed front design, air intake is severely limited. Changing the single 230mm fan for a few 120's helps a bit, but does add to noise unless you have a fan controller. But i will say this, im a big fan of simple understated cases, and the xl falls into that category very nicely. It's well built, and very subtle looking.
 
I think the K2 is hideous, strange shapes and the dull black fans don't do much for me. I like the price, but would rather have my D-14 or give Phantek's a go. The silver arrow is great but I find it to be very ugly.
 
The k2 stock black and white fans arent the nicest tbh, ive switched the front 120 for a same speed alpenfohn in black and blue. But it looks even better without fans, i ran it passively on an i7 920 for a few days. The diamond cut pattern on the fins looks exceptional.
 
arc@css said:
Thanks for the info, setter.

I have the following ram (2 x 4gb), which I bought last week. Do you think that would be a problem when trying to mount the cooler?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-059-PA&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517


Re : the Silver Arrow; I saw a review on TTL, and it gave fractionally better cooling even than the DH14, but I don't think Tom Logan rated the design when considering space for ram.
Click to expand...
It could possibly be, the k2 covers the fourth ram slot on my board, and im using corsair vengeance low profile.

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But the front fan can be moved up, or put in the middle slot and move the 140 fan to the rear. It has no detrimental effect on temps as ive tried it.
 
People praise the Noctua (myself included) for how easy it is to install, the quality of the cooler and the mounting bracket are superb. The fans aren't to everyone taste but they are quiet and cool very well. I think the actual Phantek's heatsink is the best looking, though I know it's just down to personal opinion. :D

Very happy with my Noctua.

That ram would be okay on the D-14 but you would maybe have to raise the 120mm front fan slightly so it sit's on top of the ram. Nice ram btw, look's cool. Same probably applies to the K2. However, the fan clips look slightly limiting on the K2 in regards to how high up you can set the fan. Last resort you could always just take the heatspreaders off the ram since you won't see them with these coolers anyway as they will be underneath the fan most likely.
 
Lol, we were both answering at the same time... :D the 140mm fans on both coolers would pull enough air through even if we took the 120mm fans off I'm guessing.

I do like the look of the K2 in the stock photos, just not so much when I see the fans in user photos.
 
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My biggest problem ever with ram was my love of ocz reaper kits, awesome clocking stuff but very high heatpipes. The only cooler that worked with them was the old Thermalright ultra extreme 120, i used it on a 3.8ghz q6600, a 3.8ghz q9550 then a 4.2ghz i7 920, all with reaper ram kits. Then i went silly with the cash and bought a prolimatech supermega, (more money than sense tbh). It touched the heat pipe on the ram, so i stuck the 6gb of reapers in my other x58 rig and bought 12gb of low profile tri channel ram for the main rig, (k2 cooled), then sold that system for my current 3570k setup.
 
Well, the k2 mounting system is very good mate, it actually uses a rubber cover on the legs of the backplate, (i can only describe it as being like a tiny rubber sock). It fits between the mounting bracket and the motherboard, and helps to keep the fittings in place prior to mounting the rest of the bracket. Not to mention, it will also help to damp any vibrations. I was a big fan of thermalright coolers, but alpenfohn are on a different level of quality.
 
I look forward to your build, im keeping my rig in the shinobi xl for the time being. It is a really nice case. But i also have a Lian Li A70F. Beautiful case extenally, bit bland internally. Whereas the xl is very good inside, but cooling is a bit iffy in stock configuration.
 
Thanks. :)

When choosing a case this time, I wanted to make sure I had plenty of room to last me at least another build (fed up with cramped mid tower cases). :)
 
Full tower fan myself here tbh, i prefer the space they offer.

Shinobi with single gpu.
IMG_0035-1.jpg

With sli gpu's
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Lian Li with sli.
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And the shinobi and A70F side by side.
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The shinobi cost £120,00, the A70F was £170.00. But the shinobi is very good value, build quality obviously isnt Lian Li standard, but it's pretty good. A nice subtle exterior, no tacky stuff ala antec.
 
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From this K2 owner :)

Low profile ram isn't really needed. Ask Helios, he uses Ripjawz ;)
It will also clear full height Vengeance but you'll have to raise the front fan up to 10mm using the clips. Lo-pro Vengeance won't be any issue.

If you're planning to run a 140mm front fan then low-ish profile ram is pretty much a must. Samsung Green would be perfect for minimal fan adjustment.
You'll also need a fan with 120mm mounting holes if you want to use the clips.

The cooler does look hideous in 90% of user pics (including mine), but is actually pretty delicious in the metal imo.
 
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