CPU Cooler i5 2500k @4.5ghz

[elmondinio]

I'm starting my build as soon as I find the right CPU cooler.. I have been searching for a CPU cooler for 2 days, but still very confused..
I have a budget of around £40 for the cooler.. prefer less

this will be my setup:
CPU: i5 2500k (OC to around 4.5ghz)
GPU: radeon 6950 1gig (planning to cf later)
PSU: tx v2 850w
Case: Cooler Master Storm Sniper Black
RAM: corsair vengeance 1600mhz 2x4gig
Mobo: ASRock z68 extreme4 or Asus P8Z68-V Pro
cooler: ???

Need advice, please

 

[elmondinio]

From the research I have found that these coolers are of high quality for cheap price:

Be Quiet! Dark Rock Advanced CPU Cooler
Thermaltake Frio
Arctic Cooling Freezer 13 PRO CPU Cooler
hyper 212 plus

 

[FinneousPJ]

I like the Scythe Ninja 3 however due to its large square design it may have clearance issues with your memory.

 

[beenthere]

See the link below for test data on many of the popular HSF. Any of the top ten HSF coolers should serve you well. Results are slightly different on AMD vs. Intel CPUs due to the CPU heat spreader surface area. Read the full reviews for details prior to purchase as the very best coolers are large and you may have RAM or other clearance issues with some of them.

http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm#INTELHEATSINK

 

[diellur]

I'd not go for the Hyper-212 at 4.5GHz. The chip will get to low to mid 70 deg C. Whilst not particularly bad, IMHO it's a bit hotter than you'd want to run a CPU for longevity's sake.

Have you looked at something like the Noctua NH-D14? It's a bit of a beast (and pricey), but one of the best air-coolers out there. Alternatively, the Corsair series of fire-and-forget water-coolers are worth looking at if you're OK with the thought of water in your system.

 

[FinneousPJ]

I'd not go for the Hyper-212 at 4.5GHz. The chip will get to low to mid 70 deg C. Whilst not particularly bad, IMHO it's a bit hotter than you'd want to run a CPU for longevity's sake.

Have you looked at something like the Noctua NH-D14? It's a bit of a beast (and pricey), but one of the best air-coolers out there. Alternatively, the Corsair series of fire-and-forget water-coolers are worth looking at if you're OK with the thought of water in your system.

Well, I did some research before buying my cooler and ended up with the Scythe for basically three reasons:
1. it's about the same size as the Noctua, which should mean it's about equal in performance. For about half the price.
2. it's square and you can mount the fan(s) on any side, making installation and direct the airflow easier (front-to-back, bottom-to-top, your call). It can be fitted with two fans, though you have to buy the second one separately.
3. it includes a knob for adjusting fan speed that's installed in a PCI slot on your case

Oh yea, the Freezer 13 and Xigmatek Gaia are also solid value for money options with great performance.

 

[elmondinio]

thanks for all of your inputs

I'm probably going for Spire Thermax Eclipse II. it seems to outperform everything and is cheap as chips.. amazon for 40 pounds.. whoa

anyone know anything about Spire Thermax Eclipse II? It might be cheap for a reason

 

[elmondinio]

thanks for all of your inputs

I'm probably going for Spire Thermax Eclipse II. it seems to outperform everything and is cheap as chips.. amazon for 40 pounds.. whoa

anyone know anything about Spire Thermax Eclipse II? It might be cheap for a reason

been reading about it and it seems to be very loud

 

[FinneousPJ]

Well, comparing the Spire to the Scythe (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scythe-Ninja-SCNJ-3000-Processor-nickel-plating/dp/B003OF112E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315407756&sr=8-1), I'd say the Scythe looks a bit stronger.

Size: about the same.
Material: Aluminum vs Copper, Scythe wins.

CFM and noise also go to the Scythe, plus the Scythe is PWM controlled while the Spire appears not to be.

 

[elmondinio]

yea it seems like a very good option.. there are sooo many coolers not sure which one 2 get :lol:

getting a headache

 

[FinneousPJ]

It's hard to say which is The Best - but most of the ones mentioned in this thread are Good Enough. Just go with the best deal, IMO.

 

[spentshells]

Just recently released is the CM hyper 612 but its massive but still under 50 dollars
Look around there is so much god cooling for cheap these days.

 

[simon12]

I am using a Spire Thermax Eclipse 2 and its around medium for noise on a high end air cooler, its much quieter than the Thermal take Frio but louder than the 212+. BTW its me who is selling it on Amazon in the UK and the price is based on the cost from Spire. I started selling them due to the Frostytech review and because there was nowhere else to buy them in the UK. They are good coolers but AM3 installation is a bitch, Intel is fine though. When I tested them I used my C2 unlocked 550BE at 3.7GHz load temps where:
Hyper 212+ single stock fan 51C
Thermax Eclipse II single stock fan 49C
Thermax Eclipse II dual stock fans 47C
Frio single stock fan 49C
Frio dual stock fans 44C
Note the fans with the Frio are seriously loud.

 

[elmondinio]

the only thing what I don't like about the eclipse is that the fan speeds cannot be adjusted. They will be running loud although the pc doesnt require it. I'm still not entirely sure what to buy though.

 

[elmondinio]

I appreciate your help everyone. I will browse around for the best cooler/deal later tonight after work and make my purchase tomorrow for all the PC components.

thanks again.. any more info about coolers would be appreciated

 

[simon12]

The Freezer 13 is not good at all performace is around the same as Coolmasters Hyper TX3 which is half the price and nowhere near as good as the 212+ which is around the same price. Just google reviews for it and you will see this confirmed multiple times.

 

[FinneousPJ]

For the record, the Ninja 3 is a great deal in terms of price / performance. Just not the only one. Really the only reason not to buy it is memory clearance

 

[spentshells]

yep freezer pro 13 is not as good according to reviews I can not say Ive seen one in action though

 

[elmondinio]

I still haven't decided.... choose one for me please

 

[simon12]

Hyper 212+ best value or Thermax Eclipse II best cooling and I get a sale.

 

[elmondinio]

Hyper 212+ best value or Thermax Eclipse II best cooling and I get a sale.

does the cooler come with both fans?

Also this cooler is HUGE.. the case which I will have has 200mm side fan.. im not sure if it will fit

 

[simon12]

If you have a 120mm rear fan then either will fit but not if the side fan is in the way. The Hyper TX3 is smaller but nowhere near as good. I don't know if you will get the cooling you need unless you have a cooler with 120mm fans. The hyper 212+ xcomes with a single fan and the thermax comes with 2.

 

[diellur]

The difference in temps between a Hyper-212 with one or two fans is 2-3 deg C at the most, so it's not essential.

 

[tomskent]

Cant beat the price/performance of the hyper 212+
It keeps my 2500k @ 4400Mhz @ 62c max for hours on end at 100% load

 

[diellur]

tomskent...can you PM me with you OC settings?