CPU cooler <$100

[rainvie1]

my build:
cm 690 II advanced
corsair hx850
P6X58D-E
i7 950
XFX HD-587X-ZNDC Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) XXX Edition
mushkin redline 6GB 1600 RAM
spinpoint f3 1TB
lite on x24 dvd writer
asus PCE-N13 wireless adapter

windows 7 professional

whats the best cpu cooler (1366 socket) that I can get for under $100? preferably something around $50. I've never OC'd before, so it wont be major.

 

[dndhatcher]

120mm coolers:
Scythe Mugen2 (SCMG-2100) $40
Xigmatek Dark Knight or Balder $45



92mm coolers:
Coolermaster Hyper TX3 $30

 

[jimishtar]

add CM 212+, dirt cheap and very cool

 

[coldsleep]

You may want to check out Frostytech's top "5" heatsinks.

 

[dndhatcher]

add CM 212+, dirt cheap and very cool

If you can pick it up at $40 or less. Lately they have priced it at $50 or even $60, which is way too much compared to the coolers I listed.

 

[rainvie1]

so it looks like dark knight or 212+. both are $50ish on newegg. votes?

 

[dndhatcher]

Dark knight runs a couple degrees cooler than the 212+. If you prefer silver to black, look at the Xigmatek Balder for the same price as the Dark Knight.

 

[lothdk]

For your price range and CPU the Scythe SCMG-2100 Sleeve CPU Cooler would likely be your best choice.

When reading reviews, make sure that the cooler is tested on an i7 900 series CPU, as the performance of the cooler will differ from a LGA 775 to a LGA 1366 CPU.

 

[rainvie1]

Best answer selected by rainvie1.

 

[lothdk]

Do read some reviews including the Scythe Mugen 2 tested on an i7 900 CPU, and you will find that it is the best buy at the price you are willing to pay, as said earlier, the performance of coolers differs depending on what system they are tested, and for i7, the Scythe Mugen 2 outperforms the rest mentioned in this thread.