Quiet CPU Cooler: Fx-8320, Corsair Carbide Series 550D, Full Ram Slots

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hammby

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May 28, 2015
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Hey,

Cliffs:
-Quiet, non-top mounted FX-8320 CPU Cooler
-No preference for air or closed loop; just looking for best performance to noise ratio
-Full ram slots
-No budget concerns
-Looking to avoid big clunky coolers (e.g. NH-D15s and the like)
-Case: Corsair Carbide Series 550d
-Mobo: 990FXA-UD3


I'm looking for a CPU cooler for the FX-8320. It's on stock right now, but the bastard is incredibly noisy. I will OC at a later date, but not now, so I would still like to future-proof in that regard.

I've got the Corsair Carbide Series 550D (http://www.corsair.com/en/obsidian-series-550d-mid-tower-quiet-case), and I am using all my ram slots, or I will be by this week's end (http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f3-14900cl9d-8gbsr). I know, terrible design, but I got them for a steal.

With that being said, I don't mind whether it's closed loop water cooled or air, I would just prefer not to have a clunky NH-D15 weighing anything down, as I oftentimes find myself moving my PC, and would just prefer not to have that headache of worry on my shoulders. Where my tower sits is also very tight up top, so although the case does provide for top venting (I've looked at the h100/i and the like), I would generally not want to resort to anything top mounted. Budget is of no real concern, but I'm hoping to snag a deal come Prime-Day.

If it's needed, I've got the 990FXA-UD3 mobo from Gigabyte, although I don't imagine it would provide any limitations.

If you can provide me with a few options to look into, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you.
 
Solution
KKAW


"Now, on to checking RAM clearance. With the NH-U14S is installed so that air flow horizontally, there aren’t any clearance issues with the RAM. However, when installing the NH-U14S so air flows vertically, there could definitely be issues if the RAM being used doesn’t have the standard heatsinks that don’t add height to the sticks. My G.Skill Eco RAM just does clear the heatpipes, so any additional...
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KKAW

KKAW

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Apr 29, 2015
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If you don't want a big cooler sticking above the CPU and nearly touching your window/sidepanel an AIO cooler is your option!
I would highly recommend a
CoolerMaster Nepton120XL

If you are looking to overclock and you want a near silent experience a
CoolerMaster Nepton 240L

The reason i am not recommending the Corsair H100i or something like that is because i know a few people who have noise issues with that cooler, however the noise issue on the H series is not a common occurrence so that is not a bad option either!
 
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H

hammby

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May 28, 2015
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Hmm. I was really trying to avoid a top mounted solution, given that I have roughly 4 cm of clearance (~1.5 inches) between the top of my tower and some extension of my computer desk.

Do you feel this is enough clearance to get decent airflow? If so, I may simple decide between the 240L or the H100i
 
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KKAW

KKAW

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If you do not like a top mounted solution you will have to go for a bulky fan cooler on top of the CPU... i'm slightly confused because you said you don't want a fan cooler nor do you want an AIO...

Put the 240MM radiator on the top and you should be good to go.
 
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H

hammby

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May 28, 2015
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Sorry for any confusion, I don't mind whether it's a fan or AIO, I simply want to avoid a big clunky fan cooler, and my only worry with top mounted AIO is that I don't have enough clearance between my tower and my desk to make full use of a top mounted AIO solution. If you feel the clearance I mentioned above (~4 cm) is enough for a top mounted solution, I'll go for that. Again, quiet is key.

Sorry once more for any confusion that may have risen throughout this conversation.
 
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KKAW

KKAW

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Your CPU is quiet a hot CPU especially if you are going to overclock it. So if you are looking for for a fan cpu cooler it will have to be big like a NH D15.

Also your case should have no issue at all installing a top radiator 240mm.
 
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KKAW

KKAW

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A very reliable person reviewed that and said it wasn't exactly worth the price and currently its better off to get a nh d15 or nepton 120xl and other solid options that have been used a lot throughout the community.
 
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addis0n1

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It worked for me, but if you say so...
 
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H

hammby

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Narrowed it down to the NH-U14S, but now I'm wondering if it'll fit with 16 gigs (4x4) of G.Skill Sniper Series? I checked the Noctua website, it said it's compatible, but in the little paragraph up top it suggests the first DIMM slot ram be no higher than 32 mm (the sniper series is 42mm). Confused in regards to the mixed signals.
 
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KKAW

KKAW

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"Now, on to checking RAM clearance. With the NH-U14S is installed so that air flow horizontally, there aren’t any clearance issues with the RAM. However, when installing the NH-U14S so air flows vertically, there could definitely be issues if the RAM being used doesn’t have the standard heatsinks that don’t add height to the sticks. My G.Skill Eco RAM just does clear the heatpipes, so any additional height would have prevented me from using the DIMM slot closest to the socket." Quoted From: http://www.overclockers.com/noctua-nh-u14s-heatsink-review/

http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f3-12800cl8d-4gbeco
The Eco RAM is 32MM so your RAM will have clearance issues, your ram is very tall, it has a big heat sink. Honestly not a lot of fan based heat sinks will be able to clear the RAM.

Go for the Nepton 120XL.
 
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