Low profile cooler

[T_Yamamoto]

Im looking for a low profile cooler thatll fit into a micro atx case.

(this is for my future build)

 

[T_Yamamoto]

bump

 

[lsv]

What's the max cooler height? Or what mATX case is it?

 

[T_Yamamoto]

This sucker

 

[ehume]

That case looks to have a 120mm rear fan. Cases with 120mm rear fans can accommodate full tower heatsinks, from the 212+ to the D14. Only the Archon won't fit.

[Edit]Personally, I wouldn't get that case because the top fan position limits your possible arrangements. You would never be able to try top intake, for example.

 

[WoodButcher]

Rear fan is 80mm according to one review.

 

[ehume]

Ah. Then he really does need a low profile heatsink if he uses that case.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

what case should i get if i was to go with a mATX gaming build?

(ill probably go back to ATX )

 

[ehume]

mATX merely specifies the size of the motherboard. You could get a full tower case that would fit an MATX.

I generally recommend a case at least 200mm wide, with a 120mm rear fan or larger. You can find cases as narrow as 7.5 inches that can accommodate a full tower cooler, but they won't have adequate room behind the mb tray for running cables.

I also recommend cases that have two positions for fans at the top -- preferably 140mm or larger. That way, if you want to run a top intake system you can use the forward top position for your top intake.

Best is to have at least four 5.25 slots. That way you can put in a 120 or 140mm fan in the 5.25 bay to supplement your other front fan(s).

Overall, you are looking for good flow-through to allow your cpu and gpu(s) to get plenty of air so they can stay cool.

Air goes where you push it. Convection is very weak compared with even the mildest of fans.

Wide slow fans make less noise and push at least as much air as smaller fans. never use an 80mm fan: the ones that move adequate air are noisy. The quiet ones do not move much air.

Your case should reflect on that. I started a thread on the subject here. Lots of discussion followed.

I have an NZXT Beta Evo. It cost me $20 after MIR, with free shipping. You don't need to spend big to get a case that lets you play.

 

[Tool]

CM HAF 912 maybe?

 

[T_Yamamoto]

I know my cases alright

but if i go matx, i wanna get an matx case with it ya know?

and the haf912 is my go to case.

 

[lehtv]

If you want a microATX case that's easy to carry around, NZXT Vulcan is a great choice. This is one of the few situations where I could recommend a Corsair Hydro cooler for those who want high performance; big tower sinks just won't fit. But that's a bit expensive. The Vulcan can fit 155mm high coolers from what I've read, so you could go with a top-down sink like Scythe Rasetsu or CM Gemini II.

If you don't need to carry it around, then just go with ATX mid-tower and a Hyper 212 Evo.

 

[lsv]

Hey why the 932? It's $150 right? http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16811119160

Have you considered any other cases at all?

Also why are you dead set on mATX?

 

[T_Yamamoto]

If you want a microATX case that's easy to carry around, NZXT Vulcan is a great choice. This is one of the few situations where I could recommend a Corsair Hydro cooler for those who want high performance; big tower sinks just won't fit. But that's a bit expensive. The Vulcan can fit 155mm high coolers from what I've read, so you could go with a top-down sink like Scythe Rasetsu or CM Gemini II.

If you don't need to carry it around, then just go with ATX mid-tower and a Hyper 212 Evo.

I'm currently looking at the NZXT and loading this sucker up with 3 of these badboys

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Hey why the 932? It's $150 right? http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16811119160

Have you considered any other cases at all?

Also why are you dead set on mATX?

Im not dead set on it

im just sayin that if i do want to go small, ill do a matx case.

if i go big...well ill just go big

*note: it says haf912..LOL theyre only 50ish dollars

 

[lsv]

Im not dead set on it

im just sayin that if i do want to go small, ill do a matx case.

if i go big...well ill just go big

*note: it says haf912..LOL theyre only 50ish dollars

Oh my bad I thought it was a HAF 942 not HAF 912, what's the rest of your build if I may ask?

 

[lehtv]

I'm currently looking at the NZXT and loading this sucker up with 3 of these badboys

Meh, $50 on case and $30 on fans? If you have $80 to spend on case/cooling, get CM 690 II, for example. Or Rosewill Armor: 200mm + 4x 120mm stock cooling. Or Antec 300 Illusion for $70, comes with 1x 140mm and 3x 120mm LED fans.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Currently (Dont know if my grades will be up in time for report cards but they are as follows)

i5 2500K=220
AsRock Z68 Pro3 Gen 3=112
G.Skill RAM 2x4Gb 1333 1.5v(RipJaws X [Compatible with mobo])=40
Corsair Builder Series v2 500 watt=60
NZXT Source 210 Elite=50
Scythe 120mm fans x3=10x3=30
No GPU right now since I don't have time to game

TOTAL: 512


Also, does heatsinks come with thermal paste?

EDIT: I hate fans with LEDs. i like a nice clean look
(Just like my girls )

 

[lehtv]

Well you've got the right principle, but could pick a bit better parts. Should go with Extreme3 Gen3 for $115 AR shipped. You can get 1600MHz RAM for the same price (any 1333/1600MHz 1.5V DDR3 kit is compatible with the mobo). CX500 V2 is pretty good as long as you get it with the rebate, other option: PCP&C MK III 600W $50, with 5-yr warranty. And I definitely think it's a bad idea to pay $30 for fans. You can get 4 decent Cooler Master fans for $13.

Also, does heatsinks come with thermal paste?

Yes.

EDIT: I hate fans with LEDs. i like a nice clean look
(Just like my girls )

Roflmao... (note to self: he's 15, deal with it)

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Well you've got the right principle, but could pick a bit better parts. Should go with Extreme3 Gen3 for $115 AR shipped. You can get 1600MHz RAM for the same price (any 1333/1600MHz 1.5V DDR3 kit is compatible with the mobo). CX500 V2 is pretty good as long as you get it with the rebate, other option: PCP&C MK III 600W $50, with 5-yr warranty. And I definitely think it's a bad idea to pay $30 for fans. You can get 4 decent Cooler Master fans for $13.

Im not worried about getting a good deal on anything yet, first I have to get my grades up, and when I get the green light, ill spam on here and stuff :3

Yes.

but i bet it sucks most of the time

Roflmao... (note to self: he's 15, deal with it)

Im actually a really unasian asian.
I can act childish sometimes, but i can also be very serious
Oh yeah, these fans look nice

69. LOL

 

[ehume]

NZXT Source 210 Elite is 5mm too narrow IMO. You'll miss that half a cm.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

NZXT Source 210 Elite is 5mm too narrow IMO. You'll miss that half a cm.

what?

 

[ehume]

Source 210 is 195 cm. I said earlier that a case -- especially an NZXT case -- should be 200mm wide at minimum.

IOW 200mm is just barely wide enough. at 195mm, he'll miss that 5mm/0.5cm.

 

[Doougin]

The source 210 is good solid case if you're on a budget. The width is the only issue i saw with it when i put my friends build together in it. You might be able to squeeze a cooler in it but itd cut it close. I have the 912 and you can prolly fit any cooler in it. As far as thermal paste goes get some arctic silver 5.

 

[lehtv]

AS5 is overrated. Long curing time and electrically conductive. Noctua NT-H1 doesn't have a curing time, is not electrically conductive, costs the same and according to tests actually outperforms it, IIRC.

On top of that, there's no point buying an aftermarket paste worth $10 if you're going with a $25 212+ or a $35 212 Evo that already comes with paste. It'd be better to spend that $10 on a better cooler in the first place, i.e. upgrade 212+ to Evo, or upgrade Evo to Scythe Mugen 3. If you're going with a low profile cooler, you won't get particularly great performance anyway unless you get a high-end Noctua which comes packaged with the NT-H1. So no point buying additional paste.