Silent cooling for the i7

[GSG-9]

Hello everyone,

Spoiler

So I am using stock cooling on my rig right now as my custom made retention mechanism (s1366) for my Xxigmatek aio-s80dp was bending and I did not trust it anymore.

I have googled this already but I am looking for more first hand knowledge for a number of reasons.

• I want to get a hsf for my rig that:
• Will let me overclock my 920 substantially, I don't want to break any records but I want it to hit at least 4ghz if I can.

I want to be able to run my rig silently without an oc at night since its in my bedroom. So I am looking to keep it at 30db idle. I don't really want it over 40db load, but if it happens it happens.
Budget: $80-$120 (Including buying 3 replacement silent case fans of whatever recommendation I decide on.)

Short Version:
So I am hoping you can suggest some HSF+Aftermarket Fan combos for me. I am very open to ideas like the CoolIt ECO or Corsair H50/70 I may even prefer to have the weight off the Motherboard. I just don't think they are up to par from reviews I have looked at.

Click the spoiler for more info.

 

[sneekypeet]

If you want an AIO cooler you need to change the fans. Neither kit is near silent IMHO.

If you want silence, get one of those and swap the fans, but remember with most silent fans comes less CFM and static pressure, so be wise in your fan choices.

My recommendation for your needs....Noctua NH-D14

 

[afw]

+1... go with Noctua NH-D14 or Megahalems or Venomous X ... and as sneekypeet suggested ... go with a low RPM fan like Noctua NF-P12

 

[GSG-9]

I was looking at it, Guru3d always made it look like a champ.
Is it possible to mount a 2nd NF-P14 fan instead of the NF-P12. (I know its not a big db difference but my current setup is driving me insane I need to cut the fan noise.)

So I am (at this moment) thinking:

• NH-D14 (Includes NF-P12+NF-P14)
• 2x NF-P14

I would then ditch two of my nosy 120mm case fans, install:

• NH-D14 (With 2nd NF-D14)
• NF-P14 in my window as it will fit,
• NF-P12(From HSF) for exhaust
• Install my AeroCool Streamliner (I already have it 19DBA, 54cfm) in the front of my case.

 

[sneekypeet]

one 140mm comes in the kit (D-14 cooler). A second will fit just as well, but keep in mind your memory. IF you have ram with spreaders a 140mm fan may be an issue on the intake

 

[OSWiz]

I'll recommend the Corsair H70, but with different fans. The rig in that thread is mine. I run silent, about 1000RPMs, @ 2.8GHz idle @ 34 - 36C. I'm Prime95 stable @ 4.1GHZ @ 73C, and CPU-Z @ 4.4GHz. See this thread: http://forums.epczone.net/threads/498-Battle-of-the-CPU-Coolers-Corsair-H50-vs.-H70-CPU-Coolers

 

[GSG-9]

one 140mm comes in the kit (D-14 cooler). A second will fit just as well, but keep in mind your memory. IF you have ram with spreaders a 140mm fan may be an issue on the intake

I think I will have to have no intake, I am using all my ram slots, none of them have tall heat spreaders though, we will see/I will measure later.

I'll recommend the Corsair H70, but with different fans. The rig in that thread is mine. I run silent, about 1000RPMs, @ 2.8GHz idle @ 34 - 36C. I'm Prime95 stable @ 4.1GHZ @ 73C, and CPU-Z @ 4.4GHz. See this thread: http://forums.epczone.net/threads/498-Battle-of-the-CPU-Coolers-Corsair-H50-vs.-H70-CPU-Coolers

Do you know what the sound level is at with the H70? The ECO petered off when overclocked, that's why I was thinking the H70 would not be a good choice.

 

[ebolamonkey3]

It's new, but look into the Thermalright HR-02. According to this [H] review it can cool an i7 920 OC'd to 3.6ghz passively. So I'd imagine with one fan, it'll be plenty for a stock 920.

It's heavy, but no heavier than the NH-D14 and its two fans. I'd try the fan it comes first and see how loud it is, but @ 2000 rpm, I'm guessing it won't be quiet enough for your bedroom. Personally I would recommend mounting an 800rpm or 1150rpm Gentle Typhonn to it. Those fans are very silent and have higher static pressure compared to other 120mm fans. The noise they emit is also very low in pitch, so it's not very noticeable at all. I have two 1450rpm ones on my H50 and they're pretty quiet even though my PC's top exhause (where the fans are) is only 3 feet from my ears.

Oh, and it won't block your ram slots unlike all the other big tower style coolers.

 

[sneekypeet]

only issue with the h70 is it doesnt beat the D-14, and you are paying like $110 for the cooler plus fans....just isnt economical for the cooling you get.

 

[GSG-9]

I need to check space, the Noctua and HR-02 are 160mm, I don't think thats an issue but I'm going to check.

The HR-02 can be found for around $85
The Noctua for $90ish

I like the Noctua better right now but Im going to let them both sit, Im just using the stock now. and the HR-02 kills it with no fans...

 

[ebolamonkey3]

Read the SPCR review on the NH-D14. It's a great cooler, but it's huge, blocks some ram slots, and makes some noise due to the two fans. The HR-02 is silent, either you run it passive or with an 800rpm GT, you won't be able to hear it above your video card or other case fans anyways.

 

[GSG-9]

Read the SPCR review on the NH-D14. It's a great cooler, but it's huge, blocks some ram slots, and makes some noise due to the two fans. The HR-02 is silent, either you run it passive or with an 800rpm GT, you won't be able to hear it above your video card or other case fans anyways.

Yeah I have two Vantec MRK-200ST-BK EZ Swap SATA Bays with some nasty 30mm fans. Im going to unplug the fans from the units and just set a large (quiet) 120/140mm in a pull configuration.
My HIS 5770 is not to bad for sound, I may under clock its 2d settings and turn the fan down even more.
I am using all 6 of my ram slots...so I have to make sure the NH is not going to block any ram slots, I will do that tonight.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

you could always just save up for water cooling. that's virtually silent but for a premium

Why do you want it to be silent? you have a i7 you should be overclocking that baby with some noise!

 

[ebolamonkey3]

How is water cooling silent? It's only as quiet as the fans you have on the radiator. He's already got a pretty quiet system from the sound of it, and if he sticks with quiet low RPM fans it's not going to get much quieter even if he moves to water.

 

[GSG-9]

you could always just save up for water cooling. that's virtually silent but for a premium

Why do you want it to be silent? you have a i7 you should be overclocking that baby with some noise!

My rig is in my room but it acts as a server, the AIO was silent enough when I had it for the most part, but between the 30mms on my hardrives, and my case fans its to noisy for when im sleeping.

I will have separate profiles for when im gaming/ocing/during the day but at night I don't want to hear this thing except for the hard drives spinning up if someone on the network wants to grab a file.

Water cooling will not do for me as this is a 24-7 rig and I don't trust something I put together myself for that. For water cooling I am not willing to go past an all in one closed loop solution at this time.

 

[Arrakis9]

what ever cooler you end up getting, use these fans :
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8...iet_Fan_-_1000_RPM_-_13_dBA.html?tl=g36c15s60

they're really as quiet as they say they are. i have 5 of them in my system with liquid cooling and honestly the loudest thing inside my computer now is the hard drives. i also have my system in my room running 24/7 and i cant hear my computer unless i'm on top of it with my ear pressed to the rad or one of my hard drives is being accessed.

 

[GSG-9]

what ever cooler you end up getting, use these fans :
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8...iet_Fan_-_1000_RPM_-_13_dBA.html?tl=g36c15s60

they're really as quiet as they say they are. i have 5 of them in my system with liquid cooling and honestly the loudest thing inside my computer now is the hard drives. i also have my system in my room running 24/7 and i cant hear my computer unless i'm on top of it with my ear pressed to the rad or one of my hard drives is being accessed.

I DO like the sound of 13dba. Thank you for the link sir. (and they are cheaper than extra Noctua fans)

 

[LAN_deRf_HA]

only issue with the h70 is it doesnt beat the D-14, and you are paying like $110 for the cooler plus fans....just isnt economical for the cooling you get.

How did you ended up testing it with your box? Exhaust in or out? I know they want you to draw air from outside, but I personally ignore that and have it exhaust out since it's thermal suicide the other way... in anything other than a Haf-X at least. Though I bet the outside air intake gives it a nice leg up. And is there any reason I always see these things mounted with the tubes going into the bottom?

 

[wolf]

big +1 to Noctua NH-D14, noctua is the win for silent tower cooling IMO.

 

[GSG-9]

big +1 to Noctua NH-D14, noctua is the win for silent tower cooling IMO.

Right now for the cpu I am deciding whether the Noctua is worth the extra $40 over say...Peets Ferir. I know it will be louder.

I have another question now. I found this review of a AC Accelero L2 (Translate it to English) It claims the 5770 runs at 14 db in Bioshock.
Is that possible? It cools about the same/a little better than stock.
If any one can confirm that I'm getting one.

 

[DonInKansas]

Everything I've read about the L2 says it's dead quiet. Considering the 5770 doesn't run real hot anyways, should be a good choice.

 

[GSG-9]

Everything I've read about the L2 says it's dead quiet. Considering the 5770 doesn't run real hot anyways, should be a good choice.

Damn, If I can get the 5770 silent I probably should not buy a noisy(er) CPU cooler. NH-D14 is sounding worth the extra $40 again.

 

[Arrakis9]

if only you lived closer lol i would offer to build you a proper liquid cooling setup. thats were true golden silence is at.

 

[GSG-9]

I just found Thermalrights' Silver Arrow, I think I like it a little better than the Noctua
http://www.jab-tech.com/Thermalright-Silver-Arrow-CPU-heatsink-pr-4727.html#
Silver Arrow vs. Noctua

And I read this which I liked:

For a last test, the Silver Arrow was installed passively and still yielded stunning results to match the likes of the CoolIT ECO, Corsair H50 and a range of other high end air coolers!

if only you lived closer lol i would offer to build you a proper liquid cooling setup. thats were true golden silence is at.

I would bet this setup will be cooler than water when its done. Pumps make noise, my AIO is 55db without the fans. I know the DangerDen CPX1 would be quieter. But water cooling is not a rational choice for me.
I leave my rig on 24-7, there are 4 other people on my network that access data on it. I work 8 hours a day and have Rugby practice 3 times a week. This weekend for example I will be in out of town for rugby, I can't afford to have a leak problem while I am gone and come back to a smoky room.

I love modding my computer, but my schedule is as such that I need to be able to maintain it when I have time to, instead of when it demands it.

Edit: If I am ever in a situation where I have a rig for work and a rig for play though, you better believe I will be building some exotic cooling solutions.

 

[mastrdrver]

What case are you using?


I've ran 3.8Ghz on my 920 with 1.2v load passive on my D14. Passed 20 loops of LinX.
955BE with a D14 passive in a CM 590 with two top 140mm 1000 rpm fans and a 120mm 1700 rpm exhaust fan keeps it below 55C at stock 1.4v core and 1.4v cpu-nb while running P95 for hours.

High rpm fans are nice on the D14 because you can keep it cooler still but for everyday kind of thing, the middle 140mm with the LNA is plenty. I spent a little over a week with my 920 passive. I had to attach the 932 fans to the board to slow them down because they were suddenly too loud for me. With a 5870 and a passive D14 in a HAF 932, even with all but the front slowed to 500 rpms and the 140 to ~800 rpms, I was quite impressed to find how quiet gaming could be even after several hours of BC2. The cpu hovered in the 60s and the 5870 ran mid 70s the whole time as I had Everest logging the whole time.