Cpu cooling advice

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blue-eye-boy

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So after almost a year with high cpu temps, I finally have the moola to spend on a better cooling option for the cpu. I saw somewhere on the forum that someone recommended the Antec Kuhler h20 620 water cpu cooler. I googled it, and saw it's running for R 713 at wootware. They charge for shipping, so I tried takelot. The dont have that model, but these 2 caught my eye:
Corsair - Hydro Series H80 High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler @ R 1017, shipping incl.
Corsair - Hydro Series H60 High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler @ R754 shipping incl.

I know the more expensive one will be better, but is that what I need?

I do not play any games, I use my pc for photoshop, browsing, and general admin stuff, but still the cpu runs high temp.

Or anything else that you would recommend?
 
Forgot to mention, I have a intel z68 motherboard lga1155 socket, intel i5 2500k cpu (not overclocked.
 
Rather go for the H80 because it has a CFM rating. Corsair fail to mention the CFM rating for the H60 which could end up being anything (risky).

IMHO, you could achieve the same if not better results with just plain air cooling without the worry of it leaking. I prefer the Cooler Master Gemini II mated with 2x 12cm 80+ CFM fans which gets fantastic (albeit somewhat noisy) results.
 
Cadavre777 said:
Rather go for the H80 because it has a CFM rating. Corsair fail to mention the CFM rating for the H60 which could end up being anything (risky).

IMHO, you could achieve the same if not better results with just plain air cooling without the worry of it leaking. I prefer the Cooler Master Gemini II mated with 2x 12cm 80+ CFM fans which gets fantastic (albeit somewhat noisy) results.
Click to expand...
See thats why I must get advice here, before ending up with something which doesn't work for me. I just dont want to buy cheap now, and regret it later.
 
If you say the temps on your CPU is high, how high is it?

If you do not overclock then IMHO all you need to do is:
* Make sure you have good ventilation in your case
* Make sure your cables are properly managed (not restricting airflow - tuck them away)
* One fan extracting and two blowing into the case (the larger the fans the less noise they will make and more air they will push and pull)
* Keep your PC innards clean - blow out the dust on regular intervals. I do mine every 4-6 months depending on dust build-up.

I use the stock Intel cooler, I slightly overclock my CPU and do play games and every now and then push the CPU to 100% for an hour or two and never had a problem with heat.
Idle temps around 40C and load around 65C.

I just finished playing a bit of SC2:
Code: 
Core 0:         +51.0°C  (high = +80.0°C, crit = +98.0°C)
Core 1:         +46.0°C  (high = +80.0°C, crit = +98.0°C)
Core 2:         +49.0°C  (high = +80.0°C, crit = +98.0°C)
Core 3:         +51.0°C  (high = +80.0°C, crit = +98.0°C)
 
MyWorld said:
If you say the temps on your CPU is high, how high is it?

[/code]
Click to expand...
My cpu idles around 40, and when under load, goes up to 80 to 90, which I think is too high. I just dont want to end up buying a new cpu in the end, rather spend a bit now, and correct this.
 
What CPU do you have and are you still using it with the stock cooler?
Also, are you perhaps overclocking it at all?

I had a similar situation with my i7 860 when I incorrectly installed the stock cooler.

It is very silly, but the arrows on the stock Intel coolers indicate the direction that you loosen the cooler, so you'll have to turn those black plastic straps in the other way than where the arrows point.
 
My wife is running stock speeds on the i5 2500 (non K), and is using a Coolermaster V6, cheaper than the water cooling equipment & works great. Temps idle under 30 & peak way under 50. My opinion though is it is an extremely noisy cooler (2 fans on it), and also it is quite bulky like most Fan coolers. Infact I can not even use slot 1 for ram, have to use slot 2 & 4.

I on the other hand am running the Antec Khuler 920. I love the space it opens up around the motherboard and CPU / Ram slots. It is really easy to install and works very well. My 2600K hardly ever gets to 55C. At full RPM the fans are also very noisy (double fan - push / pull configuration). But Idle speeds are surprisingly quiet.

Way back when Antec brought out the Khuler, I read somewhere that essentially the Antec & Corsair were the same thing... So I'm guessing by just looking at the units they are just branded products. http://www.asetek.com/products/do-it-yourself.html produced by the company Asetek. Logic says the bigger the radiator & better the flow rate of the air through the radiator and that of the liquid, the better the cooling. But that said, there is a limit to what you can cool, completely dependent on ambient temperature & humidity levels.

In conclusion, is a pre-sealed water unit better than a standard Air Cooler? Answer yes (for me), definitely runs cooler, but as mentioned the best part of it is the space it saves plus it looks great.

EDIT: just a quick note, I always use Arctic Silver's guides for applying thermal paste: http://www.arcticsilver.com/intel_application_method.html#
 
Last edited:
When quoting cooling stats you should say "ambient +X°C"... No Point in quoting Idle temps of 20 when its -4 outside.

Look up reviews on the coolers you're interested usually picking the one released last will give you a comparison to the others. Stick with the Corsair Hydro range.
 
Ive seen some really funny videos on youtube where the okes unbox an intel 1155 cpu and just take out the stock heatsink from the box and throw it straight into the bin:D. a cooler master hyper 212 should be sufficient considering you dont overclock, however if you dont like bulky aircoolers those closed loop liquid cooling solutions should be fine as well actually any closed loop would give you some stable temps and you can swap out the radiator fans if they are too noisy or dont produce enuf cfm
 
I give my stock coolers & fans to my brother, he uses them to cool stepper motors.... I'll give the Hyper 212+ a thumbs up too... fantastic air cooler for the price!
 
If you now have to buy an aftermarket cooler, I'd suggest the CM Hyper 212+ Evo.
 
Pada said:
What CPU do you have and are you still using it with the stock cooler?
Also, are you perhaps overclocking it at all?

I had a similar situation with my i7 860 when I incorrectly installed the stock cooler.

It is very silly, but the arrows on the stock Intel coolers indicate the direction that you loosen the cooler, so you'll have to turn those black plastic straps in the other way than where the arrows point.
Click to expand...
As said, I dont over clock at all, didn't fiddle with any of the settings it came out with, and I really dont need the overclocking now. I still use the stock cooler, and when I first built the pc, and saw what my temps were, I removed it, bought thermal paste, and re-do the whole thing. It is definitely secured properly.

IRG said:
My wife is running stock speeds on the i5 2500 (non K), and is using a Coolermaster V6, cheaper than the water cooling equipment & works great. Temps idle under 30 & peak way under 50. My opinion though is it is an extremely noisy cooler (2 fans on it), and also it is quite bulky like most Fan coolers. Infact I can not even use slot 1 for ram, have to use slot 2 & 4.

I on the other hand am running the Antec Khuler 920. I love the space it opens up around the motherboard and CPU / Ram slots. It is really easy to install and works very well. My 2600K hardly ever gets to 55C. At full RPM the fans are also very noisy (double fan - push / pull configuration). But Idle speeds are surprisingly quiet.

Way back when Antec brought out the Khuler, I read somewhere that essentially the Antec & Corsair were the same thing... So I'm guessing by just looking at the units they are just branded products. http://www.asetek.com/products/do-it-yourself.html produced by the company Asetek. Logic says the bigger the radiator & better the flow rate of the air through the radiator and that of the liquid, the better the cooling. But that said, there is a limit to what you can cool, completely dependent on ambient temperature & humidity levels.

In conclusion, is a pre-sealed water unit better than a standard Air Cooler? Answer yes (for me), definitely runs cooler, but as mentioned the best part of it is the space it saves plus it looks great.

EDIT: just a quick note, I always use Arctic Silver's guides for applying thermal paste: http://www.arcticsilver.com/intel_application_method.html#
Click to expand...
I think I'll get the water cooled system then, if the other fans is noisy. My previous pc I built, I also used an aftermarket fan, very big thing back then. But hell it was too noisy. So for the noise, and better cooling, I guess water cooling is better then, and for the space inside I can use better later if I maybe install cards or whatever.

Thanks for all the input.
 
Sorry, forgot to mention. I dont know what the ambient temp was when I checked the cpu temp in my post, but like now, 9 pm, its somewhere between 20 and 24 ambient, and the cpu idles at 36. I'm sure thats not right, noted that it idles now.
 
I am personally using a Antec Khuler 920 and haven't worried once about my temps since I put it in probably a year ago. My idle temps are about 30, and that's in summer as we speak. What I like about it is that it is silent. Can't stand a noisy PC.
 
been building pc's for 12 years or so. never had to use a non stock cpu cooler. also never had a cpu fail! i've got dozens of outdated cpu's from pentium 2 era even, that still work perfectly. unless you are overclocking or continuously stressing your machine they are not necessary. never built a high end gaming rig, for a 3 days straight type of gamer though either.
 
My Quad core (Q9400) used to run at 100C under load but then I changed the thermal paste because it turned to dust (literally) and from then it hasnt reached over 60. Yes I know what you going to say "You cant compare a Quad core to a I5" but the principle is the same.

PSSSSST I have a I5 2500k (stock speeds/stock cooler) and under load it just hits 80C...maybe someone did a crap job on the thermal paste or Fansink :erm:

EDIT: IMO i wouldn't go near liquid cooling. (for logical reasons)

IDLE:
52cc77ff9fdb3ac0de7c69481091fe0c.png



LOAD (Prime 95):
31274bcbfd055ca540365636ffa655c0.png
 
Rickster said:
My Quad core (Q9400) used to run at 100C under load but then I changed the thermal paste because it turned to dust (literally) and from then it hasnt reached over 60. Yes I know what you going to say "You cant compare a Quad core to a I5" but the principle is the same.

PSSSSST I have a I5 2500k (stock speeds/stock cooler) and under load it just hits 80C...maybe someone did a crap job on the thermal paste or Fansink :erm:

EDIT: IMO i wouldn't go near liquid cooling. (for logical reasons)

IDLE:
52cc77ff9fdb3ac0de7c69481091fe0c.png



LOAD (Prime 95):
31274bcbfd055ca540365636ffa655c0.png
Click to expand...


lol why not? You think you might spring a leak? :p
 
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