The right CPU cooler for Core i5 3rd generation processors

[venkatsvr1]

Hello,
I would like to know the thermal compound and also the ideal CPU cooler type for my Intel core i5-3570K processor - the motherboard is Asrock Z77 Extreme 6

 

[CDdude55]

The difference in CPU thermal paste is prety small, so i say go with what ever is cheap. I recommend Artic Silver, here one of there thermal paste series (ceramic 2)for $5: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100017

When it comes to cooling it depends what you want and need, if you're not going to overclock iand want something cheap then something like a Cooler Master Htper 212 EVO should suffice for stock or even a Corsair H60 if you can spend a bit more. If you're going to be overclocking abnd have a bit of money to spend then a Corsair H100 or H80 should be good. As they're easily to install and get the job done with little weight hanging off your CPU socket.

H100: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181017&Tpk=h100

H80: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181016&Tpk=h80

 

[axe1592]

Agreed. Ive used several different types of thermal paste and never saw much of a difference between any of them. Just get a good quality brand and youll be fine.

And for the cooler, like mentioned above, itll depend on what youre wanting to do with it. If you dont want to overclock then the stock cooler will work just fine. If you only want to do some mild overclocking then a Hyper 212+ or Evo will work just fine and cost you less than $30. If youre wanting to do some serious overclocking youll need something beefier like a Noctua D14 or something like a closed loop water cooler like the H100 or Antec Kuhler 920. The Noctua D14 will work just as well as pretty much any closed loop water cooler but that thing is gigantic and will take up a lot of room in your case. Thats kinda a downside to me so my next purchase will be the H100 so I can start getting some respectable clocks out of my shiny new 8150.

 

[Penley54]

I would definitely recommend the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus because it is cheap ($30) and will get the job done.. you could do some mild Overclocking and your Temps should be just fine.

 

[axe1592]

Those suckers are good for more than mild overclocking. Ive got a pretty solid overclock on my 8150 which aint a cool running proc by any means. That is my limit though. Cant notch it up any further without it going over 61C in Intel Burn Test which is my self imposed limit. But still, thats pretty outstanding for a $30 air cooler.

 

[smorizio]

the only thing to watch out for with tall or big cpu coolers..is will the fit hight wise in your case..most case now give you the info on the hight of a cooler can be. you lose room too if there a fan on the case panel. for the big coolers you have to watch out that the fit over the ram chips and that they dont hit the video card. the 212 and there clones most time will fit over the ram without any issues.

 

[axe1592]

They Hyper will eat up the 2 left most RAM slots so if youve got memory sticks in there, youll have to yank them - at least on an AMD motherboard. And if youre using high profile RAM, its going to block the lower part of the fan. I bought those cool looking high profile Vengeance sticks cause they looked cool. As soon as I went to plug them in, I immediately slapped myself. Now Im rolling with those low profile Vengeance sticks and its much better. Didnt make a huge difference in temps, barely a degree C but every little bit helps.

 

[bigcyco1]

Well for your CPU which runs hotter than a sandy bridge i would say bare minimal Hyper 212 EVO it will keep your temps decent for mild overclocks not hardcore though as far as thermal paste goes i use NT-H1 http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CFYQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16835608008&ei=RAbxT83gHM_-2QWvrLyvAQ&usg=AFQjCNGWOpTdH2U1OmL92EiCKAPddRJfTg&sig2=F-YyeMCL_gBRJKWFIyRxHQ but there are plenty of other good ones for cheaper anyway hope this helps good luck!

 

[bigcyco1]

the only thing to watch out for with tall or big cpu coolers..is will the fit hight wise in your case..most case now give you the info on the hight of a cooler can be. you lose room too if there a fan on the case panel. for the big coolers you have to watch out that the fit over the ram chips and that they dont hit the video card. the 212 and there clones most time will fit over the ram without any issues.

+1