Wanting to upgrade CPU cooler, New case or different cooler?

toekneewin · Nov 13, 2016

Hello everyone. I'm looking to upgrade my Thermaltake NiC5 cooler to a Cryorig R1 Ultimate or Noctua nhd15. Been seeing a lot of good reviews and wanted the R1 because it's more appealing for just little cooling cost vs the Noctua. The problem is I've looked at the specs and it won't fit in my case. So do I buy a new case or compromise and buy a smaller cooler? Or go AIO? I'm considering NZXT's Kraken if I do AIO.

Current Build:

Zalman Neo Z9 case
Intel 6600k
Thermaltake NiC5
Corsair Vengeace LPX 16gb
Firepower Fatal1ty 750W PSU
Asus Maximus VIII Hero
Asus Strix GTX1070
A few corsair and noctua case fans

Would I benefit from going to another case? (Quieter, better airflow...) My PC sits under my desk sideways.

Aeacus · Nov 14, 2016

If you go for the Kraken then do note that only place you could install it's radiator is on the front. And that too is sketchy since the radiator alone is 140 x 312.5 x 27 mm. Not sure if you can fit the 312.5 mm length radiator at the front.

But if you want to go with air cooling while upgrading cooling performance, then you need a new case.
Besides Cryorig R1 Ultimate and Noctua NH-D15, you could also consider Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3.
Here's why: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-cpu-coolers,4181.html

toekneewin · Nov 15, 2016

Aeacus :

I was just looking at the DRP3 before reading your reply. Comparing sizes. The DR is 168mm tall versus my current Thermaltake NiC5 160mm. Pushing against the window in my case there is still a bit of room to play with. Also it shows the Noctua NHd15 is shorter than the Dark Rock? But it's butt ugly lol.

Aeacus · Nov 15, 2016

Noctua NH-D15 is shorter than DRP3 and you're not the only one who doesn't like Noctua's appearance. I too find Noctua looking terrible.

Looks aside, Noctua NH-D15 performs as good as the best AIO water cooler, the Kraken.
review: http://www.relaxedtech.com/reviews/noctua/nh-d15-versus-closed-loop-liquid-coolers/1
The are only 2 differences between NH-D15 and Kraken. NH-D15 uses air for cooling and it's quieter than the Kraken.

toekneewin · Nov 17, 2016

Aeacus :

Thank you for clarifying! Yeah my initial choice was the NH-D15 but it looks awful. Maybe I can just swap out the fans? The whole point of this is to quiet down my pc actually.

Aeacus · Nov 17, 2016

Noctua NH-D15 is the best air cooler due to it's fans. Without Noctua fans, you won't reach the best cooling level NH-D15 can offer.

toekneewin · Nov 19, 2016

Ahh so knowledgeable. I thought it was the heatsink design.

Aeacus · Nov 19, 2016

Noctua's fans also have a positive side due to their coloring. Since there is no other company that colors it's fans with the same colors as Nocuta does, you instantly know that Noctua fans are used once you see them.

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