Best CPU cooler for my setup....

[ims731]

Hi all, I'm looking to upgrade my cpu cooler (System specs below). Currently have a ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro in place and my system runs about 45deg @ idle not sure about full load. I use my cpu for audio production & recording so it gets pushed hard soemtimes.
I'm trying to decide between either the COOLER MASTER Hyper N 520 or the Corsair H50 or H60 water cooler. Would like a good balance between silence/performance as the cpu is in the same room where I mix/master.

Thanks for all insight.

System specs:
cpu-i7 920
mobo- ASUS P6T SE
Memory- OCZ Obsidian Series 6GB
Video- Sapphire Radeon HD 4550x(2)
PSU- A-Power 850 watt
HDD- (1) Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB
(1) Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB
(1) Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB
Optical- DVD burner/player
Case- Thermaltake Soprano VB1000BWS w/ (2) 120mm & (1) 90mm fans.
***No overclocking***

 

[Emperus]

www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

You don't need anything more without any overclocking in prospect.. Having said that, your current cooler is doing an ok job as per me.. Those chips do tend to idle around that mark.. Your ambient room temperature and case design also play an important role in deciding the temps..

 

[purple stain]

^I agree,the Hyper 212+ is perfect for your needs and is much much better than the Freezer 7

 

[ims731]

Thanks Emperus...yeah ambient temps fluctuate w/ wifes mood. Usually between 73-76deg in the room. Good to know these temps are okay I can focus on other aspects of system.

 

[ims731]

I over looked the 212...I'm going to look at it. No plans to overclock, but cooler is better.

 

[Emperus]

yeah ambient temps fluctuate w/ wifes mood.

Hilarious the way you have put that.. Nicely said..

 

[ims731]

I hope she dosen't see this or the temps will rise higher, no shes a sweetheart, just likes it warmer than most...I'm placing order for 212 now. Also any suggestions on silent case fans? I know Noctua, just pricey...or should I post concerning this in another section.

 

[ATi RaDEoN]

hyper 212+ is a decent choice but is not the best around, it is not future proof CPU cooler. I want to know what is your budget. After that one can recommend a decent CPU cooler.

Your ideal CPU temperatures are pretty high, don't know if it's arctic cooling freezer 7 or not, but whatever it is it won't be resolved with hyper 212+. The Hyper 212+ is roughly 10-20% more effective than arctic cooling freezer 7, and your spend will result in very less temperature drops. I won't recommend it in any aspect.

I know that you won't be doing overclocking but a low profile 30-40 $ cooler can be even worse than stock cooler and may fry your CPU too. I also recommend you to do a complete cleanup of your system as your temperatures are pretty high, sometimes dust cause high temperatures. And as I said before, tell me your budget so a decent CPU cooler can be recommended.

 

[Emperus]

For all your silence related needs (restricted to pc hardware only) refer here -

www.silentpcreview.com/

 

[ims731]

Thanks Emperus for reference...Budget wise I was willing to look at the watercoolrs by Corsair so around $60. The case is a layover from previous intall but was stripped, wiped & air blown before installing new components.
Case fans (2) 120mm intake/exhaust & (1) 90mm intake, this is all case will allow.
I will say the cpu cooler was installed when I received it so can't attest as to how stringent on that install...

 

[ATi RaDEoN]

have a look at these things also

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142&cm_re=scythe_sleeve-_-35-185-142-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185140&cm_re=scythe_sleeve-_-35-185-140-_-Product

these cpu coolers are far more superior to any hyper 212+

water cooling? cool

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181010&Tpk=corsair%20h50

 

[ims731]

WOW the Scythe SCMG-2100 w/ up to (4) 120mm fans has really caught my eye and it's priced parallel to the 212...Okay having to re-think. Thanks for the direction. Really leaning towards this one. Oh and silent running it seems...

 

[purple stain]

The Scythe is a very good cooler but if your not overclocking their really isn't any need for such a massive cooler.The Hyper 212 can hold it's own very well.Also if you were intending to buy the H50 based on that it's silent operation it actually isn't.The same fans you would buy for the Hyper 212+ or other case fans would be the same ones you have to buy to replace the stock fans they send with it and they would both require the same amount of matenience every year.

 

[cronos177]

Hyper 212+ in my opinion is the best all-around cooler(considering price). But, if budget is not an issue, the Corsair H50 and H70 look Cool, and they extended warranty to 5 years, so they are reliable. Thermaltake have the coolest looking ones, tho.

 

[ims731]

I know this gets deeper...I'm working my way towards an NZXT H2 case which is designed for silence but can be a little restrictive for airflow. Would the Scythe work better for me in this case?

 

[cronos177]

This is silent and good performer, again if price is not an issue.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/zalman-cnps11x-extreme.html

 

[purple stain]

I actually think you will have to squeeze in the Scythe SCMG-2100 and you won't be able to use the side 90mm fan.The Scythe SCMG-2100 calls for about 6 inches and your current case has about 7 inches.

If your going to spend $100 on a case i'm sure their are much better options than the NZXT H2.

This case is much better and almost half the cost and the fans are almost as silent.Also it can be upgraded to fit x2 200mm fans which are super silent and move a lot of air.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&Tpk=haf%20912

 

[cronos177]

For silent cases I think the Fractal Design R3 is the best, but I like the looks of H2 better. However, For any of those "silent cases" if you fill them with fans, they'll be like any other normal case.

 

[purple stain]

^ Agree.
Although the HAF 912 doesn't look as good as others the air flow is a lot better.Buy the case for $60 replace fans with x2 200mm's for $15 a piece and you've got a much quiter case that moves way more air for still even less.I think when it comes down to it it's not based on looks but how cool you can keep your componets the cooler you can get them the longer they will last.Also the HAF 912 is much bigger to accomdate any type of future upgrade.

 

[ims731]

As far as cases, I've looked at the HAF 912 long and hard, almost bought. Was just concerned with it being such a vented case the noise which might be introduced. But I guess with proper fan selections with the money saved over the H2 could make it work?

 

[purple stain]

200mm's are really silent.Obviously they don't need to spin very fast to move a lot of air which is why their silent.
CoolerMaster MegaFlows are a good choice but i'm sure theirs better ones somewhere.

 

[ims731]

I guess the paradox is more power, more heat, more fans, more noise. This is really helping me to make a more educated decision.

 

[Wisecracker]

Hi all, I'm looking to upgrade my cpu cooler (System specs below). Currently have a ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro in place and my system runs about 45deg @ idle not sure about full load. I use my cpu for audio production & recording so it gets pushed hard soemtimes.
I'm trying to decide between either the COOLER MASTER Hyper N 520 or the Corsair H50 or H60 water cooler. Would like a good balance between silence/performance as the cpu is in the same room where I mix/master.

Thanks for all insight.

System specs:
cpu-i7 920
mobo- ASUS P6T SE
Memory- OCZ Obsidian Series 6GB
Video- Sapphire Radeon HD 4550x(2)
PSU- A-Power 850 watt
HDD- (1) Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB
(1) Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB
(1) Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB
Optical- DVD burner/player
Case- Thermaltake Soprano VB1000BWS w/ (2) 120mm & (1) 90mm fans.
***No overclocking***

Your temps don't look that bad - might be a touch high - but you need to report your vcore to get an accurate idea.

Dropping your volts a bit could make a big difference; and if you are not over-clocking using Speed Step will most certainly help. Even when O-C'ed SS works much better than it ever did.

And as noted by others, yah need to put that sucker under load and let us know your temps and voltages. And then prepare for your head to spin as someone tries to explain the delta to tjmax

 

[ATi RaDEoN]

I don't think so that changing your CPU case will give you much temperature drops but I think that opening the side panel of your thermaltake soprano will give you better airflow. Anyway, if you still want a decent pc case here are some of my recommendations:

budget wise:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129073&Tpk=antec%20six%20hundred

if budget is not an issue:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&cm_re=antec_nine_hundred_three-_-11-129-021-_-Product

if you can stretch your budget a bit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129097&cm_re=antec_nine_hundred_three-_-11-129-097-_-Product

But if your are planning to get hyper 212+, I am telling you get the scythe cooler. And if you need more cooling any of these will work:

if your case can fit, most probably it will:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018

a big bang for buck:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608016

High cooling:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181010&Tpk=corsair%20h50

frozen CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181013&Tpk=corsair%20h70

 

[ims731]

What is the method/software for placing under full load? I've heard Prime95...is this a down-loadable thing? I'm antsy but want to make smart purchases...this is really helpful. Thanks everyone.