Which CPU cooler shall I go for?

[Hamish++]

It's for a Intel Quad Core i5 3570K Processor 3.40Ghz. I might want to overclock it.

Here are my choices:

[HardkoreAJL]

I use the h40 personally and i have a core i5 over clocked and i dont have any issues with it

[wiiGod]

if you have the space and wherewithal to undertake such an endeavour, liquid cooling provides the best cooling, especially when stressing your cpu by over-clocking it. it is high-risk, high-reward.

Otherwise, look for a fan and sink that you can afford that is the QUIETEST. you'd be surprised what a big difference a db makes.

I am also shopping around, but i don't have the space, time, or skill to do liquid cooling. I'm not planning on overclocking my cpu, so all i need is a bigger, quieter fan/sink. good luck. let us know which one you choose.

[iceman681]

which one has lights?

[Hamish++]

I don't think you need a load of skill for liquid cooling these days, I think modern kits are designed for easy installation anyway.

[wiiGod]

Originally Posted by Hamish++

I don't think you need a load of skill for liquid cooling these days, I think modern kits are designed for easy installation anyway.

lol, still pretty scary for a novice. i don't even like setting processors by myself, let alone try to pipe liquid into my computer case. hahaha

[Captain_Fantasy]

Originally Posted by Hamish++

I don't think you need a load of skill for liquid cooling these days, I think modern kits are designed for easy installation anyway.

You're wise to buy a non stock CPU cooler. The ones Intel give you are crap.

If you're not a hardcore overclocker, the water cooling option does nothing but introduce a new point of potential failure for your system. Seriously, watercooling is for hardcore enthusiasts, not the average punter.

So unless you have a specific reason for watercooling aside from "it'll be awesome!" it is not recommended since comparable products are available for much lower prices and far less risk to your system.

Overall, your CPU cooler has two components: The heat sink and the fan.
The heat sink with some help from our good friend "thermal transfer paste" pulls the heat from the processor while the fan sends that heat away. Buy an extra tube of thermal paste for the $4 or whatever they have it for.

Henceforth if you want to efficiently cool your CPU, get a big heatsink with a big fan. However big fans often equal loud fans so be aware that there is a tradeoff between effective cooling power and noise output.

My advice is to check out which fans have a big heatsink that will still fit in your case while moving the most air possible with the least amount of noise. That's the goal.



That Asaka fan looks pretty effective since it has two fans. I bet that thing keeps air moving through very effectively assume your cables in the case aren't cutting off the air flow. Zip ties help there.

[Hamish++]

I bet the Akasa Venom is good but at 16cm tall it's massive.

I'm thinking about going for the Dark Rock cooler. It's £50 (78US$) but it does look good as well:

http://www.chillblast.com/Be-Quiet-D...PU-Cooler.html

[projectD]

these are the only choices available to you?
There's the try and true CM Hyper 212+ (don't see it on the list)
no on the Coolit EcO as it has a leak issue on some of the earlier models.
Also can look at the CM V6GT if available

The Corsair H40/H60 would be good choices too if you want a no hassle closed loop, i myself used the H60 before i went to the H80

I had an H60 cooling an i7 920 at 4.0.
If you do get the H40, you won't be able to push much OC, maybe to 4.0 as the radiator is really thin.

[Hamish++]

I wasn't intending to build it myself from scratch, I was going to buy it online and the website let's you customize it a little.

[Baneomac]

The last computer I built, I used an Ultra X-wind 120 x 120 x 25 mm fan. I have heard water cooling is the best, if you have enough room in the case for it. The case I used is a Cooler Master RC-932-KKN5-GP HAF 932 Advance Full Tower Case and was setup with brackets and fill holes for water. I just don't run enough advanced stuff to get that far yet.

[Nunbrew]

I have a Cooler Master.


http://www.coolermaster.com/

[c4715]

Duh, get the cooler one.