Thinnest LGA1156 CPU Cooler?

[llee]

Hey, I need some help on an upcoming build.

Basically, I'm working with a mini-itx lga1156 board and I need to find and buy the thinnest (heightwise) cpu cooler out there. I know that Scythe has some popular heat sinks but I'd like to hear any and all suggestions for options that are even thinner. I don't plan on overclocking if you're wondering.

Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

You could get an H50 or something. Those are pretty low-profile, and you'd be able to stash the rad somewhere else where there is more airflow, if your CPU area is going to be a bit starved.

 

[Zap]

Have you considered the stock retail box cooler?

 

[llee]

You could get an H50 or something. Those are pretty low-profile, and you'd be able to stash the rad somewhere else where there is more airflow, if your CPU area is going to be a bit starved.

I happen to own the H50, but there's a problem. Its tubing is designed to spur vertically from the board making any low profile PC impossible to build.

Have you considered the stock retail box cooler?

Yep, I have. I'm uncomfortable with it because the fan is to thick. I only have 2 inches to work with.

 

[frostedflakes]

SPCR recently reviewed two low profile coolers. One of them is 1U. Of course cooling performance wasn't that great. As long as it will fit in your case and it won't interfere with the RAM or anything else on your mini ITX board, I'd get the Scythe Big Shuriken. Still seems to be about the best cooling you can get in a 2U form factor.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/gelid-slim-silence-prolimatech-samuel17

edit: Looks like the Big Shuriken is about 2.28", though, too tall for your 2" max height. I guess that limits you to 1.5U and 1U coolers.

 

[Zap]

Yep, I have. I'm uncomfortable with it because the fan is to thick. I only have 2 inches to work with.

Because the fan is an open style, it can suck in air even from the side. I've had a build where the fan pressed against the power supply, and it was still sufficient to cool the processor.

 

[llee]

Well guys, thanks for the input. I did some more research on my own and came up with these two choices:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835106152
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835220040

I can cut a window to allow the fan to intake air and I'm lucky because these will barely fit. Thanks for the advice though.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

I just came here to say Silverstone NT07. Looks like you found it.

 

[manimal]

Stock cooler should perform the same as those two. I would try that first.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

Stock cooler should perform the same as those two. I would try that first.

But it's bigger.

 

[Yellowbeard]

I happen to own the H50, but there's a problem. Its tubing is designed to spur vertically from the board making any low profile PC impossible to build.

Sorry but this is not entirely accurate. I used an H50 in a VERY low profile HTPC case without issue. It did require a small mod but it can be done.

Corsair HTPC Build

 

[aigomorla]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835114095

Its meant for a U1 rack systems.

All you would need a is a thin 60-70mm fan to lay on top of it, and it should keep a 1156 in check as long as your not overclocking.

Do not use it passive.. all the bad feedback is from the people using it passive.

You might need a thermalright backplate for those stock mounts to work.
The board that sink normally goes with has a stock backplate.

But it's bigger.

u see thats what worries me.
The op said 1156, but doesnt list what cpu.
If its an i3, the sink should be TINY... remember we were all ranting about the downsize.
If its a i7 860, and he's throwing it inside a TINY box.. umm.. he's doing something wrong.

Normally if you cant stick the stock sink inside your case, and require moding... its not build for beginners / intermediate skilled builder.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835114095

Its meant for a U1 rack systems.

All you would need a is a thin 60-70mm fan to lay on top of it, and it should keep a 1156 in check as long as your not overclocking.

Do not use it passive.. all the bad feedback is from the people using it passive.

You might need a thermalright backplate for those stock mounts to work.
The board that sink normally goes with has a stock backplate.

Yeah but once you add a 10mm fan it'll be the same thickness as the Silverstone and probably won't be nearly as effective (it is designed for servers with lots of very loud fans). Add a regular 25mm fan and it'll be 50mm which is even bigger than the stock cooler.

u see thats what worries me.
The op said 1156, but doesnt list what cpu.
If its an i3, the sink should be TINY... remember we were all ranting about the downsize.

Yes the stock i3 cooler is small, but the Silverstone is still even smaller. 46mm vs 37mm.

If its a i7 860, and he's throwing it inside a TINY box.. umm.. he's doing something wrong.

Normally if you cant stick the stock sink inside your case, and require moding... its not build for beginners / intermediate skilled builder.

Who are we to question what skill level the OP is?

 

[jchu14]

Comparison (rather informally) of the Silverstone nt07, Gelid Silence, and a couple other heatsinks here.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

Comparison (rather informally) of the Silverstone nt07, Gelid Silence, and a couple other heatsinks here.

Interesting comparison, though it's worth noting that the NT07-AM2 is completely different from the 775/1156 versions.

I really wish the Gelid had a 1156 version.

 

[jchu14]

Interesting comparison, though it's worth noting that the NT07-AM2 is completely different from the 775/1156 versions.

I really wish the Gelid had a 1156 version.

Oh good catch. I didn't even notice that. I am so used to heatsinks being universal. I guess it's not so useful for the OP.

 

[aigomorla]

Who are we to question what skill level the OP is?

your absolutely correct.

i should of rephrased it to..

Most case makers wouldnt make an oops for a stock heat sink not to fit.



So its going to take skill.

 

[llee]

Don't worry, I'll be modding the heck outta this case. I plan on re-purposing an aluminum briefcase for a compact SFF chassis. I went ahead and bought the NT07. Along with some 90mm fan grills for the GPU (460) and CPU (860), I should be fine at stock speeds.

 

[WoodButcher]

Sounds cool! I hope to see pics soon.

 

[llee]

Here's a taste of what I'm working on. See the project log so far at the Losias Forums

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

Nice!

 

[aigomorla]

Here's a taste of what I'm working on. See the project log so far at the Losias Forums

yikes...

thats a small package.

what kind of heat estimates are we looking at?

like what cpu @ what voltage @ what clock?

Also that shell, what is it made out of?

 

[llee]

Intel Core i7-860 - Starting at stock (haven't received cooler yet)
Shell is made out of aluminum, won't be used as a heatsink though.

95W + 160W = Combined TDP of 255W

 

[cbn]

SPCR recently reviewed two low profile coolers. One of them is 1U. Of course cooling performance wasn't that great. As long as it will fit in your case and it won't interfere with the RAM or anything else on your mini ITX board, I'd get the Scythe Big Shuriken. Still seems to be about the best cooling you can get in a 2U form factor.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/gelid-slim-silence-prolimatech-samuel17

edit: Looks like the Big Shuriken is about 2.28", though, too tall for your 2" max height. I guess that limits you to 1.5U and 1U coolers.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1059-page3.html

That Prolimatech is one nice looking cooler.

 

[aigomorla]

Intel Core i7-860 - Starting at stock (haven't received cooler yet)
Shell is made out of aluminum, won't be used as a heatsink though.

95W + 160W = Combined TDP of 255W

looks like a really fun project!