which cooler should I choose?

[IslandStylin]

XIGMATEK LOKI SD963 92mm HYPRO Bearing CP

The Xigmatek Loki SD963 92mm HYPRO Bearing CP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233081
$4.99 after rebate (If I do get the rebate back....hopefully they play nice)

VS

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065
$29.99

VS

the NEWER Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103099
$33.99

I have a i5 2500k processor. Not sure which mobo I am getting as of yes. I know this could change the decision since some heatsinks actually cover a ram slot depending on the board. I believe I will end up with an ASROCK gen 3 or an ASUS z68 pro

I definitely play on overclocking to around 4.5ghz-5ghz if I am editing HD video.

The case I have is an CoolerMaster Elite 430. http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=6654

 

[General Kenobi]

Either SD963 or Evo. In your case SD963 would be the better choice money-wise, but since you're OCing so high, I think that you might have to invest a bit more money into your cooling solution.

 

[fffblackmage]

If you're planning on overclocking to 4.5 GHz+, then you're gonna want to find the best cooler you can afford... Out of those choices, either the 212+ or EVO. If you can afford it, maybe a Thermalright HR-02 Macho or some variety of Noctua coolers.

 

[MontyAC]

I have the Xigmatek Loki, bought it for $3 after rebate. I have it cooling my i5 2500k running at 4ghz. When I run Handbreak, my core temps hover around 150f or 65c. I used the stock heatsink before the Loki and I had temps around 200f, so my temps dropped 40 degrees. I had to use the Loki because my case wasn't wide enough for the Cooler Master 212.

 

[General Kenobi]

If you were running 65c at 4.0 GHz with the SD963, I think that the OP should invest in a more powerful cooler if he wants to OC to 4.5-5.0 GHz.

 

[MontyAC]

Running Handbrake to encode video with only 65C temp is excellent.

 

[General Kenobi]

At 4.0 GHz. It'll go quite a bit higher in temps at 5.0 GHz, which is what the OP wants to do.

 

[MontyAC]

If he can fit any of the 120mm heatsinks, then he'll be fine.

 

[SZLiao214]

If you have the ripjaw ram the 212+ just barely clears it.

 

[SZLiao214]

If you will be encoding a lot have you considered the new true spirit 140? At 40 bucks its performance is pretty awesome.

 

[MontyAC]

After checking the size of his case, with wide of only 7 1/2 inches, it'll be very close whether he can fit the larger heat sinks and close his side panel.

 

[Kenmitch]

After checking the size of his case, with wide of only 7 1/2 inches, it'll be very close whether he can fit the larger heat sinks and close his side panel.

Coolermaster states it'll accomodate up to a hyper 212+. Without having both the case and a hyper 212+ it's hard to guess how much space is left to work with. Hyper 212+ is 158.5mm tall which makes me think possibly 160mm max height ???

 

[Kenmitch]

If you were running 65c at 4.0 GHz with the SD963, I think that the OP should invest in a more powerful cooler if he wants to OC to 4.5-5.0 GHz.

I'd agree with you on this one. Depending on voltage bump needed to go from 4 > 4.5ghz you could be talking another 10*C or more. Most likely more.

As an example looking at some old data from my chip from 4-4.5ghz my hottest core jumped by 8*C

On a side note handbrake doesn't seem to hit too hard compared to something like Intel Burn Test. I did a test run last night at 4.5ghz and my highest core hit 54*C but my 2500K is water cooled. Nothing exotic just a basic single loop system with low speed fans. My gpu is in the loop too but moslty sits in idle.

 

[IslandStylin]

Thanks for all the useful input so far. I think I will be maxing out my OC at around 4.5ghz.

Ram I have: Kingston Hyper X DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...t1k2%2f8gx
(I just realized that this isn't running at 1.5v. Am I going to have a compatibility issue with running this with the i5 2500k? Crap, I can't believe I didn't re-look at what I bought. What a mistake! There goes some wasted cash..)

I've read a lot of coolers can cover a ram slot on the board as well. Want to make sure the cooler I buy won't do that. Though i suppose that is hard to tell me since I have yet to decide which mobo I am going to buy.

Would the2500k cpu run too hot at 4.5ghz oc with one of the above coolers?

 

[Kenmitch]

Ram I have: Kingston Hyper X DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...t1k2%2f8gx
(I just realized that this isn't running at 1.5v. Am I going to have a compatibility issue with running this with the i5 2500k? Crap, I can't believe I didn't re-look at what I bought. What a mistake! There goes some wasted cash..)

Link didn't work for me. Might be able to run it at 1333 1,50v's.

Ovefclock temps are dictaded by ambient temp, case airflow, then CPU cooled. Depending on how much vcore your chip needs also will play a big part in your load temps. If you get a chip that takes lower vcore then you may be fine. Only way to know is to try and see

 

[IslandStylin]

They are listed at 1.65V. Strange that the link didn't work. I just checked it and it works fine for me...odd?

So shoudl i sell the ram i bought and buy new 1600 DDR3 ram that is 1.5v instead?

Yeah, i am unsure on the PSU that i will be buying. Taking recommendations though. Most likely I am guessing I will need 650w or higher. I plan on buying a gtx 560 when I get more cash, or just wait for the new nvidia cards that are due out around march and use a temporary one in the mean time.

 

[Kenmitch]

They are listed at 1.65V. Strange that the link didn't work. I just checked it and it works fine for me...odd?

So shoudl i sell the ram i bought and buy new 1600 DDR3 ram that is 1.5v instead?

Yeah, i am unsure on the PSU that i will be buying. Taking recommendations though. Most likely I am guessing I will need 650w or higher. I plan on buying a gtx 560 when I get more cash, or just wait for the new nvidia cards that are due out around march and use a temporary one in the mean time.

The memory most likely would run at 1333 1.50v as most 1600 at.1.65v is factory overclocked these days. Up to you on if you wanna hassle with it. 1.65v shouldn't be used.

Power supply is most critical item in rig so don't skimp. Google Johnny guru and should find his site vcore reviews. Post in power supply forum for suggestions.

 

[IslandStylin]

I feel like such an idiot. i can't believe I didn't check the voltage on these before buying them and it's already past the return date...ugh, waste of money. Thanks for the info Kenmitch! Do you think that xigmatek would keep my system down a lot better than the hyper would? Am I pushing it at 4.5ghz even with the hyper?

 

[Kenmitch]

I feel like such an idiot. i can't believe I didn't check the voltage on these before buying them and it's already past the return date...ugh, waste of money. Thanks for the info Kenmitch! Do you think that xigmatek would keep my system down a lot better than the hyper would? Am I pushing it at 4.5ghz even with the hyper?

Newegg does have a good deal on some 1.25v DDR3 currently if it makes you feel a little better.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

I think I'd go with the Hyper 212 EVO if I was to choose from the 3 you listed.

Without testing your chip to see how much vcore it'll need at 4.5ghz it's a big unkown. Most likely as long as you don't keep your room toasty hot and your case has enough airflow to keep it close to the ambient temp of your room you should be OK. You may need to add an xtra fan to the cooler or maybe add some high airflow case fans.

 

[IslandStylin]

After checking out that site you suggested I read a thread that a guy was hitting 4.6ghz with an i5 2500k on a P867-pro at a vcore of 1.4

O.0

over my head....maybe i should've just bought a pre-made comp. this is getting confusing. I won't give up...thank goodness for the people on sites like this that want to help.

so so thankful

mahalo

 

[Kenmitch]

After checking out that site you suggested I read a thread that a guy was hitting 4.6ghz with an i5 2500k on a P867-pro at a vcore of 1.4

O.0

over my head....maybe i should've just bought a pre-made comp. this is getting confusing. I won't give up...thank goodness for the people on sites like this that want to help.

so so thankful

mahalo

Don't give up yet! Sometimes reading makes things seem more complicated that they are. Building a rig is pretty simple in the end. The overclocking on SB's is about as easy as it gets. Just takes a little time to get things in order.

 

[mrjoltcola]

I feel like such an idiot. i can't believe I didn't check the voltage on these before buying them and it's already past the return date...ugh, waste of money. Thanks for the info Kenmitch! Do you think that xigmatek would keep my system down a lot better than the hyper would? Am I pushing it at 4.5ghz even with the hyper?

You will be fine with the Hyper (EVO) with a 2500K. They are easier to cool than the 2600K.

A EVO will even take the 2500K to 5.0Ghz as long as you aren't planning on running BOINC or Folding @ Home, or some other 24/7 crunching. The load temps on a 2500K under a 212 EVO at 5Ghz are around 75C if voltage is kept less than about 1.45v, but not all chips will do that.

I'd recommend you give it about 1.38v, take it up to 4.6Ghz, and see how it performs. That should keep you well below 72C TCase.

 

[ehume]

Your case, narrow as it is, has a 120mm fan in the back. That means a full tower heatsink will fit. NZXT cases with the same 7.5 inch width have fit the 212+ so there is some user experience.

If you are going to replace your RAM get low profile RAM. Never get tall heatsinks on your RAM these days -- they are not necessary. Even the 1.65v Ripjaws I have in my test rig never gets so hot I need to lift my fingers. I quit buying anything other than flat-low profile RAM. And I consider Sniper not to be true low profile RAM.