Sandy Bridge Heatsinks. (Noise rating top priority)

[Hotobu]

So I'm going to get a 2500K and am looking for a heatsink for it. I will be doing some overclocking, but since I wont be getting super aggressive with it a few degrees less isn't my top priority. I want a good cooling option no doubt, but I'm willing to sacrifice 3-5 degrees for a few dB.

What I've seen so far is that the Noctua D14 is not only quiet it's great at cooling. While I'm willing to go this route right now I'm just looking for alternatives so I have options to choose from.

The only drawbacks to this cooler are that since it's so big it limits my memory choices, so memory that I may be able to get a great deal on I can't even use due to its size. This ends up kicking me twice as far as price goes. Price of the heatsink and price of memory.

Is there anything out there that's as quiet as (or even quieter) than the Noctua D14, and possible smaller?

 

[AltecV1]

Corsair H-50 ???

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Gelid Tranquillo is a really cheap but amazing cooler for an overclocked 2500k. I built a pc for a friend with one of these in and it handles 4.8Ghz with no problem at all. its quite silent aswell.

definitely worth a look.

 

[LAN_deRf_HA]

I'd get a H60 and swap out the fan for a Gentle Typhoon AP 13 or 14. Unlimited finger/ram room, almost H70 performance, hardly any noise.

 

[Hotobu]

Thanks for the replies, but I don't trust any of you so I'm going to stick with the Noctua D14.

Seriously though I took a look at the Corsair H series and kinda forgot about it. One thing I don't like is that in order to use it properly I have to use the rear exhaust as an intake, but I'm thinking about going with the HAF X case so I'm not sure how big of a deal that is. One other advantage of this is that it's one less fan in the case, so a bit less noise.

Gelid Tranquillo is a really cheap but amazing cooler for an overclocked 2500k. I built a pc for a friend with one of these in and it handles 4.8Ghz with no problem at all. its quite silent aswell.

definitely worth a look.

25 dB for $40 is nice.

BTW while we're on the subject what's the standard method that companies use to report sound ratings? Also within what kind of +/- tolerance should I trust these numbers?

 

[LAN_deRf_HA]

You don't have to use it as intake to good results. Especially if you have a case with good airflow. I have two 140mms exhausting at the top and two 140mms intaking on the side. I don't have any dead air so with my H70 on exhaust I get about the same temps as I do putting it on intake.

As for the db thing, companies don't use a standard method. The ratings are pretty much worthless.

 

[bpgt64]

"Thanks for the replies, but I don't trust any of you so I'm going to stick with the Noctua D14."

....lol?

 

[Anusha]

you can always replace the D14's fans with super silent fans

 

[erixx]

get Noctua C (the blow down one)

 

[Hotobu]

You don't have to use it as intake to good results. Especially if you have a case with good airflow. I have two 140mms exhausting at the top and two 140mms intaking on the side. I don't have any dead air so with my H70 on exhaust I get about the same temps as I do putting it on intake.

As for the db thing, companies don't use a standard method. The ratings are pretty much worthless.

Sounds like you've got a 690 II Coolermaster case am I right?

you can always replace the D14's fans with super silent fans

That wouldn't do anything for me. I'm fine with the stock D14. Every place I've seen says that it's super quiet and has great cooling. Also it'd be hard for me to top the fans that come with it. I'm just here to find alternatives that can bring me close to that performance that may be slightly cheaper, and not as HUGE.

 

[Anusha]

Then only one option:
Thermalright Archon.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Thanks for the replies, but I don't trust any of you so I'm going to stick with the Noctua D14.

If you already knew what you were going to do. was there any need to ask for advice?

thanks for the massive vote of confidence for our members here who I can say most definitely know their stuff, and i hope you eventually find what youre looking for.

you came here asking for help/advice. and you got plenty, but you are not willing to listening so thanks for wasting our time.


/unsubscribed

 

[Hotobu]

^Um don't understand humor much?

In the very next line I went on to talk about the advantages of the Corsair suggestion, and I even said I liked your suggestion. It was a joke.

 

[PaulieG]

Sounds like you've got a 690 II Coolermaster case am I right?


That wouldn't do anything for me. I'm fine with the stock D14. Every place I've seen says that it's super quiet and has great cooling. Also it'd be hard for me to top the fans that come with it. I'm just here to find alternatives that can bring me close to that performance that may be slightly cheaper, and not as HUGE.

I know you already said you were sticking with the D14, but let me offer 2 suggestions that fit your criteria for similar performance but cheaper, based on experience with all three coolers (including the D14). Thermalright Venomous-X and Prolimatech Megahalems. They are both cheaper, and w/in 1-2c load temps. Look them up. I'll also say that I love the smaller footprint with the Venomous-X.

 

[Hotobu]

I know you already said you were sticking with the D14, but let me offer 2 suggestions that fit your criteria for similar performance but cheaper, based on experience with all three coolers (including the D14). Thermalright Venomous-X and Prolimatech Megahalems. They are both cheaper, and w/in 1-2c load temps. Look them up. I'll also say that I love the smaller footprint with the Venomous-X.

I'm not sold on the D14 at all. It's just the current watermark that I'm comparing stuff to. In your experience how would you rank the noise level of the 3 you're talking about? Low noise and something that can compensate RAM with big heatsinks is what I'm looking for right now.

 

[PaulieG]

The VX and Mega are sold without fans, so you choose your own fans, and thus your own noise level. I use Zalman ZM-F3 fans. Great static pressure, and CFM to db ratio. Since the VX has a smaller footprint, it's fairly heatsink friendly.

 

[Hotobu]

Is this the VX you're referring to? Thermalright Venomous X - RT 120mm CPU Cooler

I ask because it comes with a fan, so maybe you're talking about a different model? Even so I can still take that one off and use another.

 

[mastrdrver]

The only drawbacks to this cooler are that since it's so big it limits my memory choices, so memory that I may be able to get a great deal on I can't even use due to its size. This ends up kicking me twice as far as price goes. Price of the heatsink and price of memory.

The front 120mm fan only takes off another 5C at most and only when stressing with something like LinX. In gaming, etc you'll never see the difference.

If you have a case with good airflow, you'll be able to run it passive. I currently do that with mine with an i7 920. BFBC2 gets the CPU the hottest (as far as "normal" programs go), that only being in the low 60s after hours of playing. 22C ambient temperature.

 

[PaulieG]

Is this the VX you're referring to? Thermalright Venomous X - RT 120mm CPU Cooler

I ask because it comes with a fan, so maybe you're talking about a different model? Even so I can still take that one off and use another.

That's one model. There is another model that does not include the fan. That is the only difference. However, that is a really good price. Only thing is, the version without fan includes 2 sets of fan clips, which is the one I'm currently using on one of my rigs. I'm using the ZM-F3 fans in push/pull, and temps are very good.

 

[Hotobu]

That's one model. There is another model that does not include the fan. That is the only difference. However, that is a really good price. Only thing is, the version without fan includes 2 sets of fan clips, which is the one I'm currently using on one of my rigs. I'm using the ZM-F3 fans in push/pull, and temps are very good.

Well that's the only Thermalright product that Newegg sells (it's not like they're the only game in town), so I'm going to have to hunt down the one you're talking about later and decide what to do. I'm certainly not going to go with the D14 now since I can probably get some stuff cheaper, and I just don't like the idea of being forced to choose what RAM to go with. Right now, however, I'm kinda leaning toward the Corsair H50 since I can get $15 off it it if I buy it with the 2500K.

Thanks for the suggestions. I need a nap.

 

[PaulieG]

Well that's the only Thermalright product that Newegg sells (it's not like they're the only game in town), so I'm going to have to hunt down the one you're talking about later and decide what to do. I'm certainly not going to go with the D14 now since I can probably get some stuff cheaper, and I just don't like the idea of being forced to choose what RAM to go with. Right now, however, I'm kinda leaning toward the Corsair H50 since I can get $15 off it it if I buy it with the 2500K.

Thanks for the suggestions. I need a nap.

Just don't expect miracles from the H50. All 3 air coolers will match or exceed the temps from the H50. Here's a link to my version of the VX:

http://www.xoxide.com/thermalright1.html?gclid=CP7uvqiB96kCFYio4Aodvx_LWQ

Good luck with your decision making. None of the options from the H50 to the D14 are bad ones. They all have their strengths, and temps will be excellent and very similar if you mount them correctly, with good thermal paste. I'd place them in this order of performance with a very small gap between them. D14, VX, H50, Mega. That was my experience at least. I do have to say that I hate the clumsy mounting hardware with the H50.

 

[Hotobu]

Thanks again,

I do have one last question before I catch 40 winks. I scrolled up earlier to where you talked about what fans you use and it seems asthough those are 120s. Can this take both and you've just chosen to go with 120s? Also if I go with other fans what RPM/CFM would you suggest to get low temps and low noise?

 

[LAN_deRf_HA]

Sounds like you've got a 690 II Coolermaster case am I right?

No. I have a Lian Li PC-B25FWB with a dual 140 sidepanel. Old pic.

I know you already said you were sticking with the D14, but let me offer 2 suggestions that fit your criteria for similar performance but cheaper, based on experience with all three coolers (including the D14). Thermalright Venomous-X and Prolimatech Megahalems. They are both cheaper, and w/in 1-2c load temps. Look them up. I'll also say that I love the smaller footprint with the Venomous-X.

Why recommend the venom? The Archon is it's replacement and it comes with one of the best PWM fans around. That may be the ideal choice here.

 

[PaulieG]

No. I have a Lian Li PC-B25FWB with a dual 140 sidepanel. Old pic.
http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/493/p1010056bx.jpg



Why recommend the venom? The Archon is it's replacement and it comes with one of the best PWM fans around. That may be the ideal choice here.

Good question, and I have an answer. Performance between the 2 are very similar. However, you can find the VX for $10-$20 cheaper, and if you try to get a matching fan for dual configuration for the Archon, you're adding another $20 to the bill. So, you are talking like $90 for it in dual config. The VX with 2 ZM-F3's will run $70. Since he is trying to save money, it's a better solution for his situation.

 

[LAN_deRf_HA]

Then don't do dual fans? He said noise was a concern after all. Personally I'd pay a little more for the latest and greatest. If he decides to go all out platinum micro sells the Archon on both ebay and amazon, but for less on ebay ($78 shipped). I'm guessing cause amazon has a pretty hefty fee.