Factory Applied Thermal Paste

[AidanJC]

Hi Everyone,

I have recently finished my first build and am considering different cooling for my CPU as the stock cooler doesn't quite cut it.

I was thinking along the lines of;
CoolerMaster V10 Hybrid TEC: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_23_845&products_id=8849
CoolerMaster V8 CPU Cooler: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_23_845&products_id=7980
Or even a water cooled H80 or H100 from Corsair.

I have a Core i7 2600K with stock cooling for the moment. My Case is a HAF-X so i don't think the size should really matter, and my motherboard is an ASRock Extreme 7 Gen 3.

I also have another question in regards to the stock thermal paste on the CPU cooler when i purchased it.

Should i have wiped that thermal compound off and applied some aftermarket paste i have purchased? I will definitely be doing this with this next cooler.

Thanks to anyone that can help.

 

[AidanJC]

By the way, i am aware of the misleading title, sorry to anyone who's confused

 

[chesteracorgi]

Yep, clean the old thermal paste off with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.

Regarding the aftermarket coolers: the top air cooler is the Noctua D-14 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018. I don't know how the CM coolers rate against the Noctua.

The Corsair H100 seems to be the top rated cooler by Tom's http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/h2o-h80-h100-benchmark-overclocking,3084-9.html, but the Antec 920 received the top rank from Real World Labs http://www.rwlabs.com/article.php?cat=articles&id=442&pagenumber=8.

I prefer a closed loop cooler because it exhausts heat directly outside the case, and it provides better circulation. I modded the Antec 620 in my rig to a dual 120 mm fan in push/pull configuration and get results approaching the Antec 920.

There are lots of good aftermarket coolers out there. Decide whether you want a big heatsink or a closed loop, then look at reviews to find the best for your use.

 

[davcon]

Better coolers then the V8 and V10.
CoolerMaster Hyper 612 PWM
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_23_845&products_id=18376
CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_23_845&products_id=18670
CoolerMaster V6GT
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_23_845&products_id=14858
The supplied tube of paste is very good quality and has enough for @ 4 installs.
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/19383-cooler-master-hyper-212-plus-cpu-cooler-review-10.html

 

[AidanJC]

Best answer selected by AidanJC.