i5 2500k CPU Cooler Advice

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Odom

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Hi All

Upgrading to an i5 2500k and looking to overclock. I'm aiming to push towards 4.6GHz - 4.8GHz on OC. To this end I'm looking for a good CPU cooler that will allow me to keep very stable temps (around 60 degrees Celsius) even under 100% load. Another requirement is a cooler that will be as quiet as possible.

I've heard very good things about the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus when it's setup in a Push-Pull configuration but I'm not sure if it will be able to keep temps stable for the i5 if I push it to 4.8GHz. I've heard of guys getting 5Ghz OC using the Hyper but I'm guessing they live in colder countries.

One other thing to consider on my existing rig I do have a Zalman CNPS9900 and was very happy with the performance it gave and would be looking for something similar performance wise on the newer CPU. Unfortunately I'm selling my existing computer on with the cooler and will not be able to simply transplant it.

Budget is around R800 - R900.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks in advance
 
It's silly to pay that much for an air cooler, when you can get a closed loop watercooler, like the Corsair H50 or Antec Kuehler H20 620.
I would actually recommend the Antec one above the Corsair one.
 
Pada said:
It's silly to pay that much for an air cooler, when you can get a closed loop watercooler, like the Corsair H50 or Antec Kuehler H20 620.
I would actually recommend the Antec one above the Corsair one.
Click to expand...

I was just about to say that you could look at water cooling for that price if you are interested. And yes, the Antec Kuhler and Corsair Hydro series comes to mind. You can get the Antec Kuhler Hâ‚‚O 620 for R650 and the Corsair H60 for R725...
 
In my opinion your best bet would be the Noctua NH-D14
 
Libertas Computers said:
I was just about to say that you could look at water cooling for that price if you are interested. And yes, the Antec Kuhler and Corsair Hydro series comes to mind. You can get the Antec Kuhler Hâ‚‚O 620 for R650 and the Corsair H60 for R725...
Click to expand...

Thing to note: on the full door CM690II adv... the top door fan will not fit with a Hydro series cooler (possibly not a larger CPU cooler either). Get the windowed version.
 
RaptorSA said:
In my opinion your best bet would be the Noctua NH-D14
Click to expand...

For about the same price you can get the NH-C14 which is a bit better than the D14 according to FrostyTech...

doobyscoo said:
Thing to note: on the full door CM690II adv... the top door fan will not fit with a Hydro series cooler (possibly not a larger CPU cooler either). Get the windowed version.
Click to expand...

Jip, that's true. A lot of chassis don't support a big CPU cooler as well as the side panel's fan, unless you mount the fan on the outside, looks funny, but pretty much the same effect.
 
Hi All

Thanks for all the replies. I've never tried water cooling and would be slightly apprehensive about it. Howver I will do some research around the mentioned coolers.

In regard to the Noctua, anyone aware as to whether or not it covers RAM slots? Using a P8P67 Deluxe if you need a board for reference.

Thanks
 
I have a coolermaster V6GT on my 2600K ... not impressed with it to be honest & gets in the way of my Ram heat spreaders. Have to use slot 2 & 4 cant use the other 2! But thats on my mobo (Asus p8p67 Pro). If u ask me the Noctura looks a bit bigger than the V6GT .. so my guess is yes, it will be in the rams way...

Edit... I first had my cooler positioned to vent out the back of the case, but have since changed it's orientation to vent out the top of my case (HAF 932). Both positions get in the way of the ram (if you have heat spreaders). The latter is much tighter tho...

Pro (Left) & Deluxe (Right)
T75cjNW4utRfa4lp_500.jpg
YaZ7BPCRDbevcDAv_500.jpg


product_overview.jpg
product_overview.jpg


It might just be the scale of the pics, but it looks as if the spacing on the deluxe will be tighter than the pro...

My ram ...
reaper_single_b.jpg
 
Last edited:
And the final conclusion:

My V6GT is 119.7mm X 130.5mm X 164mm and it blocks my ram. The Noctua d14 is 140mm X 158mm X 160mm (substantially bigger). Its going to completely block the 1st 2 ram slots.
 
IRG said:
And the final conclusion:

My V6GT is 119.7mm X 130.5mm X 164mm and it blocks my ram. The Noctua d14 is 140mm X 158mm X 160mm (substantially bigger). Its going to completely block the 1st 2 ram slots.
Click to expand...

What is it's height from the where it connects with the CPU until the first fan starts (The bit where it gets wider) as most newer coolers accommodates RAM by adding a bit more height before it goes wide..
 
Which is why I show which ram I use, and specifically mention its heat spreader. It is almost double the height of standard non gaming ram. The Noctua is 44mm, my V6GT is 36mm. So I am not sure what the additional 8mm will do for my ram... but standard ram it should work.
 
Odom said:
Hi All

Just some useful links I've found for the Noctua:

Motherboard Compatibility: http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=compatibility_gen&products_id=34#Asus
RAM Compatibility: http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=compatibility_ram_gen&products_id=34&lng=en#DDR3_Corsair

It seems my motherboard makes it but my RAM does not so it looks like I'll have to look at another cooler.
Click to expand...

H70 man... I know you are hesitant because it is water but it literally requires no assembly and no maintenance you only bolt it to your case and your CPU and you done.
 
Odom said:
Hi All

Just some useful links I've found for the Noctua:

Motherboard Compatibility: http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=compatibility_gen&products_id=34#Asus
RAM Compatibility: http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=compatibility_ram_gen&products_id=34&lng=en#DDR3_Corsair

It seems my motherboard makes it but my RAM does not so it looks like I'll have to look at another cooler.
Click to expand...

Yip... stupid actually. Most of us gamers who like to OC (hence purchasing the aftermarket cooler) normally have high performance ram that have heat spreaders. The CPU cooler manufacturers should put 2 & 2 together and realize that ram space is an issue!
 
your best solution is something like a Cooler Master Hyper 212+

Hyper212_Plus_2D_drawing.jpg


its 51mm for the fins + 26mm for the fan (an additional 26mm if you want two fans)

Or go for the water cooled solution!
 
I am leaning towards the H70. One quick question though, my current case is a CM HAF 922, would I be correct in assuming when installing the H70 I simply remove the rear 120mm exhaust fan and mount the H70 Radiiator/Fan where it used to be?
 
Odom said:
I am leaning towards the H70. One quick question though, my current case is a CM HAF 922, would I be correct in assuming when installing the H70 I simply remove the rear 120mm exhaust fan and mount the H70 Radiiator/Fan where it used to be?
Click to expand...

Correct.
 
Just been reviewing the H70 .... I think I'm gonna try it, looks awesome! Anyone want a 2mnth old Coolermaster V6GT?
 
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