CPU Air Cooling

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Kelthar

Kelthar

Honorable
Mar 27, 2013
640
0
11,360
So, let me start off by saying I do NOT want liquid cooling, main reason being it's too expensive, although I do know it is great.

Now, the main issue I have is that I'll be fitting 4 Corsair Vengeance RAM sticks, those with the big heatsinks on top. And that, apparently, causes lots of problems when installing a CPU cooler because if it's too big, it won't fit without bending or breaking one of the sticks.

I'm planning on overclocking an i5-3570K, so proper cooling is important. I'm, so far, considering one of two things: buying a cooler with a fan included, or buying a heatsink and separate fans and building it myself, whichever is best.

Any suggestions? So far the one that seems to be the best is the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO, but before I buy anything I'd like to hear from you guys.

Thanks,
Kelthar

PS: Not sure if it's important, but my case will have really good airflow, with a total of 7 fans.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
xomm

xomm

Distinguished
Jun 20, 2011
302
0
18,860
If you're going for a moderate overclock (<4.5 GHz, depending on your results from the silicon lottery), the Hyper 212 EVO will be fine. Any higher than 4.5 GHz and you're looking at big coolers like the Noctua NH-D14, which cost about as much as closed loop water coolers. (A smidge less, and a bit cooler).

You won't have any issue with tall RAM if you use the EVO in pull configuration, i.e. with the fan on the back pulling air through (which reports say provide better temps anyways).

Do keep an eye out for rebates on closed loop coolers, though. I just picked up my Zalman LQ-320 for $40, only a few bucks more than the EVO.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Mar 16, 2013
171,437
17,904
184,590
If you can, get the low profile sticks. The extra fins do nothing except look cool.

If you've already got them, the fan on the 212 EVO can be slid up a little to clear the stick in the first slot. It is held on by clips instead a screwed in arrangement.
Or, put the fan on the other side for a pull configuration.

"7 fans" only means good airflow if they are in the proper position, blowing in the proper directions.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Kelthar

Kelthar

Honorable
Mar 27, 2013
640
0
11,360
And will it be enough to keep it cool without causing any damage during more intensive moments? *cough* gaming *cough*

Also, would picking up an extra fan (and a PWM splitter cable) be a good idea? Just to make sure the cooling will be enough.

EDIT: Yes the 7 fans in the case are in the proper position. 3 exhaust (top and high-rear), 4 intake (low-front, side and bottom)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
xomm

xomm

Distinguished
Jun 20, 2011
302
0
18,860


Here's a link to an OCN thread with a ton of Hyper 212 configs: http://www.overclock.net/t/1199135/hyper-212-testing-push-vs-pull-vs-push-pull-also-horizontal-vs-vertical-positioning

If a cooler passes a stress test with acceptable temps, gaming should be no issue. Even the most intensive games rarely get near stress test temps.

(Also seconding USAFRet's suggestion for standard or low profile sticks. Normal sized and under will fit under the 212 EVO in Push or Push/Pull perfectly fine. So long as it has a heat spreader of some kind, you'll be fine.)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Kelthar

Kelthar

Honorable
Mar 27, 2013
640
0
11,360
Those are some interesting stats, thanks.

I assume that the heatsink is of great quality, since people constantly suggest it, and so getting a different one would probably not be the best idea. But let's talk about fans, are there fans better than the stock one which would be worth the change?

Asking this because of the noise, wondering if there are 120mm fans with the same performance but less noise.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
xomm

xomm

Distinguished
Jun 20, 2011
302
0
18,860


There definitely are, but that's a bit out of my depth - there are an immense number of choices, with dozens recommended. I never changed my Hyper 212's fan because it didn't bother me much.
My GTX 550 Tis are fairly loud at load, so they always drowned out the 212 before I could notice it ramping up. If you've got a quiet GPU, do consider it, though.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Kelthar

Kelthar

Honorable
Mar 27, 2013
640
0
11,360
I guess I'll be researching a little bit then, trying to find the fans that come with this heatsink to compare to other possible choices. In the end I'll probably just keep the stock fans, but I want to be sure I'll make the right choice if I do so.

Thanks for the help.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Mar 16, 2013
171,437
17,904
184,590


I have the 212 Plus, and have never seen the need to change the stock fan. The only time I kind of, maybe, just a little hear any fan noise a little is under a full on Prime95 test. And that may well be the other 3 fans in the case.
And this is sitting right next to my feet under the desk.

Let it run. If it seems too loud, look at swapping out the fan for something else.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Kelthar

Kelthar

Honorable
Mar 27, 2013
640
0
11,360
Last question regarding the fans: I know a cooler push fan should have high static pressure in order to get more air through the heatsink, but if it's a pull fan is static pressure also important or is it negligible? Looking at the Nidec Gentle Typhoon, AeroCool Shark 12cm Blue Edition and Scythe Slip Stream 120mm, among others, in case I consider a replacement fan.

I'm making decisions beforehand so that if it ends up being necessary I'll have everything set already and just need to purchase. Plus, the knowledge will be helpful in the future even if the fans don't end up being needed.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

MrSpaghetti

Honorable
May 21, 2013
7
0
10,510


I have the coolermaster hyper 212 evo as well and i have overclocked and under a load my processor doesnt hit 70C. You should be more than fine with that.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom