NZXT Vulcan 2500k CPU Cooling

[Thrall]

Hello everyone, I'm looking for a better cpu cooling solution for my Core i5 2500k in a NZXT Vulcan case and I was wondering if I could get some input. Currently I'm getting temperatures of 66C while running ripbot264 at 4.6ghz with 1.36v. I'm hoping to get it to 5ghz, but if I increase my voltage past 1.38 or so then I get temps of 75C while encoding which worries me. Below are coolers I'm looking at, but I'm open for suggestions--just keep in mind that the max CPU height that my case allows is around 155mm and coolers that are too wide may not fit because of the 120mm fans on top of the case.

Noctua NH-C14
+Will take direct advantage of the 200mm side fan pointing right into it, will cool my vrms more, and is one of the best coolers available that will fit in my case.
-Not 100% sure it will fit, expensive ($90)

Corsair H50 (with a 140mm-120mm adapter mounted on the bottom of the case)
+I know it will fit because I have seen multiple builds with this config
-I move my case between places once a week and I'm worried about it leaking and it's cooling performance is not as good as the C14.

Noctua NH-C12P SE14
+I'm thinking that since it has the same number of heatpipes and even more cooling area that it will perform better than the C14 because of the extra air from the 200mm side fan.
-I haven't seen any tests comparing this to a C14 with a powerful side fan

Here is a picture of my rig: http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff421/Theta_Wolf/P1050387.jpg


Core i5 2500k @ 4.6ghz w/ 1.36v
ASUS P8P67-M Pro Mobo
Thermolabs BADA Cooler
2 x 2gb DDR3 OCZ 1600 RAM
ATI 6950 (6970's shader amount, 6950 speeds) 2048mb

 

[FreedomEclipse]

the Corsair H50 is a self contained water cooler -- you dont need to take it out of the box to build it yourself so theres no leakage unless the Unit itself is faulty or youre someone that likes to rebuild their pc every 2 days and move the cooler in n out of the case constantly.

if you feel unsafe using the h50 then go with the Noctua NH-C14

 

[nv40pimp]

Hands down H50 with push/pull fans. Don't worry about leaks it's VERY unlikely to ever leak and if it were too Corsair will replace any damaged parts.

My H50 Keeps my 4.0GHz 2500k around 50-55c under a prime 95 load and that's with the fans @ 75%

 

[entropy13]

Go with the H60, more silent than it's predecessor. And easier to install. And it's actually rectangular and not circular.

 

[Thrall]

I've been looking over reviews and it looks like Antec's 620 performs quite well so I might get that. I just wonder if the tubes are long enough to stretch to the bottom of my case.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

your processor is located at the bottom of your case???

 

[Thrall]

No, but on the Vulcan the only stock usable 120mm fan is the bottom intake one. I do have a 140mm fan installed on the bottom of the case so I'm currently considering either using a 140mm to 120mm fan adapter or getting a 140mm rad and installing the antec there.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

stick it in the back like everyone else does. Except in this case your doing a push/pull system. just mount the radiator over the fan at the back

push/pull = win

 

[Bo$$]

stick it in the back like everyone else does. Except in this case your doing a push/pull system. just mount the radiator over the fan at the back

push/pull = win

VUCLAN.... it has a 80mm or a 92mm rear fan not a 120mm silly freedomeclipse

 

[FreedomEclipse]

VUCLAN.... it has a 80mm or a 92mm rear fan not a 120mm silly freedomeclipse

then get Spock in here with a dremel tool and lets see if we can put a smile on that face

 

[nv40pimp]

I doubt that an AIO Water cooler is going to have tubes long enough to reach to the bottom.

Are there any fans at the top?

On my lian-li there are 2x 140mm fan places on the top but since my h50 is only 120mm I just sandwiched the mount between the fan and the rad and tightened it up, works great.

 

[freaksavior]

h50 and be done with it.

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/reviews/nzxt_vulcan_microatx_case_review

 

[Thrall]

Erm, yeah, so would you guys recommend one setup over the other or have had experience with swapping rads on all in one units?

 

[Thrall]

Freak--I saw that setup but I haven't seen any reviews on comparing that 92mm setup to "regular" 120mm ones yet. How do you think it will compare?

Nv40--Although there are 2 120mm fans on top of the case there isn't enough room between the mobo and the top of the case to fit a rad in there. People have done mods to replace the top shroud with a 240mm rad but I'm not looking for anything that extreme.

 

[nv40pimp]

Freak--I saw that setup but I haven't seen any reviews on comparing that 92mm setup to "regular" 120mm ones yet. How do you think it will compare?

Nv40--Although there are 2 120mm fans on top of the case there isn't enough room between the mobo and the top of the case to fit a rad in there. People have done mods to replace the top shroud with a 240mm rad but I'm not looking for anything that extreme.

Yeah I know how that can go.

I had to lower my DVD burner 2 slots and move the rad towards the front of the case to get it to fit right, even still I feel like the tubing is overly stressed the way it is. I'm waiting for a new proper bracket to come in and then I think ill rotate the pump/waterblock to make it a more comfortable fit.

IMO top is best blowing in cool air, I bet if you fooled with it enough you could manage to make it work. Like someone else said... GRAB THE DREMEL!