What CPU Cooler for i7 4770K???

[MeatHead Gaming]

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a 4770K with an aftermarket cooler, but on Newegg there are barely a handful of coolers which are 'LGA 1150 compatible'?

I guess it's just poor filtering on Newegg's part, but I was thinking of Cooler Master 212 EVO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103099

Or is there a better option? I will be overclocking (obviously). Also, TIM choice? I have leftover AS5, but it's from years ago so maybe I should get something new?

TIA

 

[Tweakin]

If you are just going to "use" the chip for everyday purposes, the stock sink will get you by for now.

Are you going to be OC'ing or heavy gaming/folding?

 

[MeatHead Gaming]

Heavy gaming (D3 maxed, it recently got an overhaul) + 1080p streaming via XSplit.

 

[lehtv]

Sure, the 212 EVO is fine. Just don't expect a massive overclock.

TIM choice hardly matters, the AS5 is as average as the stuff that comes with the EVO.

I would also suggest streaming with Dxtory, it hits your framerates less than XSplit itself. It costs $40-ish though. It can be run via XSplit. http://help.twitch.tv/customer/portal/articles/756920-dxtory

 

[MeatHead Gaming]

I'm thinking I should be able to get about 4Ghz stable? Nothing massive. I just want a good cooler. Is that the 'cookie cutter' one? Or is there a better choice?

 

[lehtv]

Yeah 4GHz is definitely doable. 4.1-4.2 is quite possible as well

The 212 EVO is indeed the "cookie cutter"... but browsing newegg, I found this: Cooler Master TPC-612 $50 ($30 AR). Costs more up front but same after rebate. It's basically a 212 EVO with a wider PWM range, heavier heat sink, and vapor chambers (which are unimportant in light of the other differences). Should outperform slightly.

 

[Takinato]

I am on a 4.3ghz on a 4770k with a 212 Evo, and the highest temps i see playing games is 70c. It all depends on the chip you get and how much voltage

 

[Essence_of_War]

Or is there a better option?

For ~$30? Probably not.

The NH-U1S is only $60 from NCIX-US, but that's pretty sharply diminishing returns. It def isn't twice as good as the Evo. Whether or not it's +$30 better depends on your budget

 

[fluffmonster]

LGA1150 will accept 1155 coolers...same mount.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

LGA1150 will accept 1155 coolers...same mount.

This is absolutely true, and neither the cooler mfgrs or resellers keep up instantaneously with the latest sockets for their established published specs.

But the general pattern, to reassure folks facing this sort of uncertainty, has shown that the cooler-makers always issue a $5 adapter-kit for socket releases that follow initial releases of coolers. CM did just that for the Hyper 212, "plus," and "EVO." The coolers came stock with fittings for LGA's 775, 1366, 1156, and 1155. So they posted a "free upgrade" kit to socket 2011.

I believe in "incrementalism" -- applied here to mean that you don't invest in anything that exceeds your well-planned objectives. If you only plan on mild overclock settings, the CM 212 EVO is probably a good bang-for-buck choice.

But I also believe in getting the best of the chump-change parts for a decent computer build. If I invested $1,000 in a computer-rig for the CPU, mobo, RAM, HDD and case (an amount probably understated and a tad unrealistic) -- I would probably spend up to Franklin for top-end air-cooling. You'll spend as much or more on water-cooling, so why not?

With those caveats, I'd always recommend an NH-U14S or something just as effective. The U12S is only a smaller variety, and folks may have to adjust their choices for case size and crowded hardware.

 

[Tweakin]

Just go water now...you will never look back!!!

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Just go water now...you will never look back!!!

These air-vs-water discussion in threads I've commented over the last two months are all over the place.

Right now -- and eventually see the thread on the "Gentle Typhoon 4,250RPM and 117CFM" -- I'm "perfecting" my existing 2600K system with the existing cooling (D14), OC tweaks, new gfx card and RAM. Pretty much -- "done."

I'm going to buy a water-cooling kit ("custom" kits are expandable) for the Haswell-E system I build next year. Following beyond that -- probably an evaporative "bong."

 

[Tweakin]

These air-vs-water discussion in threads I've commented over the last two months are all over the place.

Right now -- and eventually see the thread on the "Gentle Typhoon 4,250RPM and 117CFM" -- I'm "perfecting" my existing 2600K system with the existing cooling (D14), OC tweaks, new gfx card and RAM. Pretty much -- "done."

I'm going to buy a water-cooling kit ("custom" kits are expandable) for the Haswell-E system I build next year. Following beyond that -- probably an evaporative "bong."

I agree! I love reading your posts and the obsession you have over the potential latest and greatest tower, or your love for the Noctura NH-U14S, or how you are going to squeeze 1c more out of your current rig. Honestly, I applaud you and your knowledge of air systems. Your knowledge is vast and at times never ending!

I just realized some time ago that my ultimate goal was a quiet system, and once I tried water...I have never looked back. One of these days you are going to have to post some pics of all you cool mods...and the pm I sent you stands firm...anytime, I wont tell!!!

 

[ratjacket]

Im using a NH-C14 due to height restrictions

4.4GHz prime 95 stable

custome high noise high airflow fan on the top 120mm

and the 140mm fan it shiped wiht on the bottom

 

[4960X]

The NH-D14 and the NH-U14S would be my recommendations since they are one of the best coolers you can buy. I have the NH-U14S in one of my builds and it runs amazing. Here's a review showing the NH-D14 and NH-U14S at 4.6Ghz.

http://www.relaxedtech.com/reviews/noctua/nh-c12p-se14-nh-c14/6

 

[BonzaiDuck]

The NH-D14 and the NH-U14S would be my recommendations since they are one of the best coolers you can buy. I have the NH-U14S in one of my builds and it runs amazing. Here's a review showing the NH-D14 and NH-U14S at 4.6Ghz.

http://www.relaxedtech.com/reviews/noctua/nh-c12p-se14-nh-c14/6

After finishing up some mods on my system this last week involving a Gentle Typhoon AP-30, I'm hoping to post a "journal" with pics in a few days. There are absolute limits to air-cooling, and they can be found by squeezing the most out of these Noctua coolers. I ran IBT "Maximum" for 20 minutes @ 76F rm ambient, and the highest four-core average was about 68C. That was with my 4.6Ghz overclock setting.

So it will be interesting to see what gives with the D15, and I'll be very frustrated if its release is delayed for too many months after April. See -- with that composite heatsink base, it would be interesting to see the lab-test comparison reviews on that thing, because I'm willing to bet I can squeeze another 5+C degrees out of it beyond review test results. Just my thought, but that cooler with its 25% improvement in HS-base thermal conductivity seems made for a high-CFM fan with "acoustic enhancements."

 

[nwo]

Im using a NH-C14 due to height restrictions

4.4GHz prime 95 stable

custome high noise high airflow fan on the top 120mm

and the 140mm fan it shiped wiht on the bottom

Doesn't mean much.

You didn't post temps or your voltage. Could just be luck more than anything else, which is usually the biggest factor that determines Haswell's OC potential.

Yeah 4GHz is definitely doable. 4.1-4.2 is quite possible as well

The 212 EVO is indeed the "cookie cutter"... but browsing newegg, I found this: Cooler Master TPC-612 $50 ($30 AR). Costs more up front but same after rebate. It's basically a 212 EVO with a wider PWM range, heavier heat sink, and vapor chambers (which are unimportant in light of the other differences). Should outperform slightly.

That thing is legit. I bought one several weeks ago when it was like 15 bucks after instant savings and rebate (which I already received). It makes the CM 212+ look like a joke. At 30 bucks after MIR, I would highly recommend it over a CM 212+ or any other HSF within that price range.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Doesn't mean much.

You didn't post temps or your voltage. Could just be luck more than anything else, which is usually the biggest factor that determines Haswell's OC potential.



That thing is legit. I bought one several weeks ago when it was like 15 bucks after instant savings and rebate (which I already received). It makes the CM 212+ look like a joke. At 30 bucks after MIR, I would highly recommend it over a CM 212+ or any other HSF within that price range.

The Duck stood up and took notice. A copious comparison review with tabular summary is available at Hardware Secrets for a similar "CM 612 PWM" model.

Stunning. That CM cooler outperforms the NH-D14 at load by 4C degrees. On the one hand I know I can improve the D14's effectiveness by at least that much plus a degree or so. On the other hand, I could probably do the same with the CM TPC 612. And the TPC 612 doesn't fill up the computer case or make you wish you had the E-trade baby's hands when fiddling with the motherboard, fan-rivets and other things.