Which heatsink for a 4770k

[cheddar]

Almost done buying the parts for a brand new system, I have the 4770k, Corsair 750D, Corsair 850W modular PSU.

I am ordering the motherboard today and want to get the heatsink also. The motherboard I have chosen is the Asus Z87 PRO.

I have no idea what heatsink to go with, I am not opposed to a easy to install water cooling closed loop system or a very good air based one. I really have no idea what would be best. I don't want to break any records here, I just want something that will be stable and give me a good overclock.

The memory I will be using was going to be 2x4GB G.Skill Ripjaws gaming series. I bought this last year but now I am not sure it even works with the new 1150 platform. Either way I can buy new memory if I need to.

Price isn't a massive issue but I don't want to be spending crazy money. I was looking at the Phantek heatsinks or maybe the corsair all in one water cooling but I just need some advice here.

I love the idea of water cooling but am nervous about using them, are those Corsair Hydro H80i etc any good and are they reliable?

 

[Dicehunter]

Personally I'd go for the Silverstone TD02/03, In my opinion I'd stay away from Corsairs Hydro line as I'm on my 3rd H80i and even thats faulty not too mention the daily complaints they have on their forums is ridiculous.

 

[Doug2507]

Phanteks are great and quite possibly better than a H80i.

 

[Havana_UK]

I'm cooling mine with a Megahalems + Akasa Apache fan. OC'd to 4.5GHz @ 1.27V I see idle temps of 20-21 degrees, stress testing load temps of up to 88 degrees, but real world (gaming) load temps of 68-70 degrees.

It's a 3+ year old Rev B version of the heatsink but does an admirable job. If I replace it it will be with a Phanteks TC14PE.

 

[doyll]

What has been said above. CLC is not really designed for long term use as there is no way to top up the coolant. The total cost of a CLC is less than the cost of good mid-range H2O pump.

I don't know the height of your RAM but if it is less than 42mm above motherboard Phanteks PH-TC14PE will fit. The 750D has 170mm CPU clearance so 178 motherboard clearance. 140mm fan plus RAM height may be an issue for front fan.

You might find this list of air coolers interesting. All cool withing a few degrees of each other.

Cooler size comparison (Width x Depth x Height looking from front of case with motherboard laying flat)

Akasa Medusa .= . 8x 6mm pipes 144x129.5x163mm w/ 140mm & 120mm PWM fans 49.6mm*
K2 / Assassin . = . 8x 6mm pipes 140x128x158mm 146x154x160mm w/ 120mm & 140mm PWM fans43.2mm*
Dark Rock Pro 2 =. 7x 6mm pipes 133x124x166mm 133x149x166mm w/ 120mm & 135mm PWM fans
NH-D14 . . . . = . . 6x 6mm pipes 140x130x160mm 140x158x160mm w/ 120mm & 140mm fans44mm*
NH-U14S . . . = . . 6x 6mm pipes 150x52x165mm plus fans base offset 2mm 41mm*
PH-TC14PE. . = . . 5x 8mm pipes 140x159x171mm w/ 2x 140mm fans, PWM adaptor40-45mm*
Megahalem. . = . . 6x 6mm pipes 130x74x158.7mm plus fans 40mm*
HE01 . . . . .= . . . 6x 6mm pipes 140x119x160mm w/ 140x38mm PWM fan 42mm*
Archon SB-E. . = . 8x 6mm pipes 155x53.6x170.2mm plus fans 34.45mm*
Silver Arrow . = . . 4x 8mm pipes 147x123x163mm 151x149x168mm w/ 2x 140mm Fans 40.87mm*
SA SB-E . . . .= . . 8x 6mm pipes 155x105x164mm 170x130x170mm w/ 140mm & 150mm PWM fans 31.9/39/46mm**
SA SB-E Extreme . 8x 6mm pipes 155x105x164mm 155x130x165mm w/fans Smaller because of 140mm fan vs 150mm

Releasing in January
CryOrig R1 Ultimate = 7x 6mm pipes 140x142.4x168.3mm w/ XF140(25mm) fans
CryOrig R1 Universal = 7x 6mm pipes 140x130x168.3mm w/ 1x XT140(13mm) & 1x SF140(25mm) fans

 

[MooMoo444]

I'm cooling mine with a Megahalems + Akasa Apache fan. OC'd to 4.5GHz @ 1.27V I see idle temps of 20-21 degrees, stress testing load temps of up to 88 degrees, but real world (gaming) load temps of 68-70 degrees.

It's a 3+ year old Rev B version of the heatsink but does an admirable job. If I replace it it will be with a Phanteks TC14PE.

I doubt you're seeing 20-21 at idle unless you're counting 'freshly turned on PC in cold room'. People on WC probably don't even see 20-21 at idle.

Mine idles at 35-40 on dual fan megahalems.

 

[Havana_UK]

I doubt you're seeing 20-21 at idle unless you're counting 'freshly turned on PC in cold room'. People on WC probably don't even see 20-21 at idle.

Mine idles at 35-40 on dual fan megahalems.

It's the temperature that CoreTemp/BIOS reports. When I first switch the machine on it reports 17-18 degrees. I don't know if it's totally accurate.

I have all the C states & EIST enabled so at 800MHz it sits at some silly low voltage.

I don't have my PC room particularly warm (ambient is ~19 degrees) and it's all sat in a Silverstone Fortress FT02, which has exceptionally good airflow.

 

[MooMoo444]

Hmm I didn't consider speedstep etc since I run with those off. Allow me to slap myself then, I'll have to give those settings a try.

 

[cheddar]

Well I just ordered the 'Phanteks PH-TC14PE_BK 140mm UFB (Updraft Floating) along with the asus board. Hopefully I won't have any issues

 

[Havana_UK]

Hmm I didn't consider speedstep etc since I run with those off. Allow me to slap myself then, I'll have to give those settings a try.

At "idle" but 4.5GHz it runs about 32-35 degrees, which I think is probably a lot closer to what you're seeing. Even the best cooling solution will only be able to deliver its cooling capabilities relative to the ambient temperature, which is probably where I'm getting the additional benefit.

 

[doyll]

It is very common for idle temperature readings to be inaccurate.. usually reading lower than they really are. Mine show 18-24c idle in a 22c room.. and we all know they can't be lower than room temp. The monitoring system is designed to be more accurate in the high / critical temperature range.