Minimum Cooler Required

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LucaFire

LucaFire

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Jul 2, 2014
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I've had a lot of fun with GPU overclocks (considering how easy they are), but I've never really ventured into CPU overclocking.
I have a good system to test it on (i5-4690K, MSI GTX 970 4G, MSI Z97 Gaming 5), but I want to know what a minimum recommended cooler would be for a decent CPU overclock - I'm planning to get a 4.2-3 Overlcock just for the fun and the performance in some games. I really don't want temps hitting farther than 77C-83C and the Hyper 212 EVO only manages to keep it under 75C (*under load and with boost activated - boosts to 3.9GHz).
 
Solution
photonboy
THIS is my top choice: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Ztp323/cryorig-cpu-cooler-h5ultimate

The NH-D14 is great, but more expensive and the fans are voltage (3-pin) so may or may not work. 4-pin fan headers may support 3-pin fans but not always.

OTHER:
1. make sure FAN SOFTWARE is downloaded from the motherboard site (sometimes part of other package and/or may need to use earlier OS version. No fan software listed for my Asus Z77 board except Windows 7 but it works great).

Optimize fan profile (i.e. 40% max fan RPM and ramp up about 50degC, then run worst-case test like HANDBRAKE near 100% load converting video. see CPU usage in Task Manager... run at least 10 minutes and make sure it's not over 80degC. Just FYI about 75degC is an...
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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First, find your CASE site or Google to find the maximum CPU cooler height. For now I'll assume 160mm.

PCPARPTICKER coolers: https://pcpartpicker.com/products/cpu-cooler/

Filter by 4/5 and 5/5 scores, then filter by HEIGHT. Put the LOWER at 20mm below (i.e. 140mm to 160mm).

Now filter price to $40 to $90 (I'm not recommending a liquid cooler unless a small case).

Now select RATING so the HIGHER SCORES are at the top in the list.

I'll be bock..
 
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photonboy

photonboy

Titan
Jun 20, 2006
21,567
13
85,015
THIS is my top choice: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Ztp323/cryorig-cpu-cooler-h5ultimate

The NH-D14 is great, but more expensive and the fans are voltage (3-pin) so may or may not work. 4-pin fan headers may support 3-pin fans but not always.

OTHER:
1. make sure FAN SOFTWARE is downloaded from the motherboard site (sometimes part of other package and/or may need to use earlier OS version. No fan software listed for my Asus Z77 board except Windows 7 but it works great).

Optimize fan profile (i.e. 40% max fan RPM and ramp up about 50degC, then run worst-case test like HANDBRAKE near 100% load converting video. see CPU usage in Task Manager... run at least 10 minutes and make sure it's not over 80degC. Just FYI about 75degC is an optimal maximum for long-term usage but periodic spikes above 80degC won't hurt much).

3. OC:
Voltage affects temperature the most. Plenty of guides, but I'll tell you what I did for my i7-3770K which may or may not apply to you:

My TURBO VALUES (in BIOS) where like this:
1-core x39
2-core x38
3-core x37
4-core x36

So the more load the CPU got the lower the frequency was. I had everything on default (with XMP enabled) and simply changed those values. No voltage. Nothing else.

I ended up with x45 (4.5GHz) for all of them. So heavy load performance is 25% higher (3.6 to 4.5GHz).

I tried 4.6GHz but it crashed and trying to change settings like voltage causes the temperature to skyrocket. I then dropped down to 4.4GHz just to ensure extra stability.
 
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