Air Cooler for i7-7700K?

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Whiskeyjack-5691

Whiskeyjack-5691

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Jul 16, 2017
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Hi guys, I just have a quick question I'm hoping you could help me with.

I'm looking for an air cooler for my i7-7700k. Previously the Noctua NH-U9B SE2 - 92mm was recommended to me, but I've been looking at a few other coolers, such as the Noctua NH-U14S - 140mm. I know there are quite a few threads asking practically the exact same question, but most of those seem to be to in regards to overclocking and suggest the best coolers such as the NH-D15. I have no intention of overclocking and so a cooler like that is really just excessive for my needs, and it does look like quite sizable/heavy. That being said, I would like to invest in a good quality cooler that will provide me some leeway - really I'm just paranoid about clearance and room for RAM and the GPU.

I'd prefer a Nocuta cooler as it's the most readily available brand where I live and I've heard good things about all their products. Here's the link to the store page with all the available coolers: Komplett

Do you think the NH-U9B SE2 is more than sufficient, or is an upgrade needed? Budget is no issue.

My build is:
CPU: Intel - Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: Asus - STRIX Z270-E GAMING ATX LGA1151
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB - PC4-24000 - DIMM
Video Card: ASUS GeForce GTX 1070 ROG Strix GAMING - 8 GB
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 Black ATX Midtower Silent PC Computer Case
 
Solution
Karadjgne
You cannot ever overcool a cpu. Even if using the NH-D15, it'll still cool a cpu within its parameters. The difference comes when you do something like stress testing or rendering or any other high core/high usage app and run it for several hours. Smaller coolers will still be dumping the same heat, just doing it less efficiently, so higher fan speeds, more noise.
You can, however, most definitely undercool a cpu. Meaning you buy something cheap that seems to work just fine for whatever you are doing, until you do something stupid one day like stress test or render, and that budget cooler puts temps through the roof. That's basically castration. You've now limited the actual potential usage.
My advice, go big or go home. You might not...
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Whiskeyjack-5691

Whiskeyjack-5691

Prominent
Jul 16, 2017
12
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510

Built in Wifi... That's about it really... What can I say, it's my first build! :/

With a 180mm max cooler height for your case you can get any of the best air coolers like the NH D15.
Click to expand...
The D15 rocks! Inside the Corsair case, it is difficult to tell the PC is even on, nearly totally silent.
Click to expand...

So you guys think the NH-D15 is still worth adding to my build, even if I don't overclock?
 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

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Dec 26, 2012
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You cannot ever overcool a cpu. Even if using the NH-D15, it'll still cool a cpu within its parameters. The difference comes when you do something like stress testing or rendering or any other high core/high usage app and run it for several hours. Smaller coolers will still be dumping the same heat, just doing it less efficiently, so higher fan speeds, more noise.
You can, however, most definitely undercool a cpu. Meaning you buy something cheap that seems to work just fine for whatever you are doing, until you do something stupid one day like stress test or render, and that budget cooler puts temps through the roof. That's basically castration. You've now limited the actual potential usage.
My advice, go big or go home. You might not ever see the benefits of an outsized cooler, but most assuredly you will one day see the downsides of an ok sized, budget cooler.
 
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Whiskeyjack-5691

Whiskeyjack-5691

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Jul 16, 2017
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510

Oh yeah, I didn't mean "what's the cheapest cooler I can get away with", I just meant that I didn't want to be that guy who buys the most expensive component just to have the most expensive component, even though it won't be used it to it's full potential, you know? I guess when it comes to cooling and airflow, it's the one area where you can never have too much. Even though I don't plan on overclocking I'd still like to invest in quality parts now so the build will last me well into the foreseeable future. It'll be used predominately for gaming, no rendering or 3D programming and such.
Great, I'll go with the NH-D15. Thanks very much for the advice, I really appreciate it!

If you are within wired range of a router, use Gb Ethernet, less security issues, less latency...
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Yes, I'm not within wired range of my router. Sorry, I should have mentioned that. Thanks for the advice!
 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

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Sorry, should clarified more I guess. When I said cheaper and budget, I was thinking along the lines of the U9, Cryorig H7, CM hyper212 etc, they are quite decent coolers, and definitely better than what would be considered stock (if the 7700k had a stock cooler, like past i7K's). They'll do the job. Adequately. But there's no room to breathe with them, they barely cover range.
 
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Whiskeyjack-5691

Whiskeyjack-5691

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Jul 16, 2017
12
0
510


That's exactly what I was looking for; a cooler that will give me a lot of room to breathe if I ever do something like stress testing. I'd feel a lot better having that safety net.

Thanks very much guys, I really appreciate it!
 
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