Stock Fan or Aftermarket?

[CDdude55]

I will be getting my i7 CPU(and RAM) probably sometime in march, but i was thinking of whether or not i should stick with the stock CPU fan or go with an aftermarket cooler. As i do plan to overclock, but not a whole lot.(Im trying to get to at least 3.2Ghz or so.), Do you guys think the stock CPU fan would be up for the challenge? or should i go aftermarket?

And if aftermarket, what would be some good coolers for the i7?

 

[sneekypeet]

Aftermarket

In all seriousness, almost anything

 

[theonedub]

The stock i7 heatsink is pretty useless. Any of the Xigs would be a cheap and good performing option.

 

[hat]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835242001&Tpk=megahelms

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...608014&cm_re=noctua_12-_-35-608-014-_-Product

The i7 is HOT. There's no room for pussy-footing around when you are looking to buy aftermarket cooling for it.

 

[theonedub]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835242001&Tpk=megahelms

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...608014&cm_re=noctua_12-_-35-608-014-_-Product

The i7 is HOT. There's no room for pussy-footing around when you are looking to buy aftermarket cooling for it.

The Mega is pretty ridiculous when it comes to performance. It keeps my i7 icy. The Dark Knight did extremely well too. The 1156 i7s do run much cooler than the 1366 i7s (95w vs 130w TDP).

Here is what the Mega is capable of in my setup (I do have a cold room and major airflow in my case as well though):

 

[[H]@RD5TUFF]

It depends on the processor your using and your case, as previously stated P55 runs much cooler than X58, and is a cheaper platform. What case are you going to be using? or no case at all ? whats your budget? Also will you be running P55, or X58? Now that said there is no way you can make the argument of a stock cooler being able to compete with an after market fan. But if your using the X58 platform like a i7 920 or a 940 going to 3.2 isn't really a stretch on a stock cooler. If your using the P55 platform an i7 860 or 870 you can squeeze by with the stock cooler. P55's overclock about the same as X58 processors and run cooler to boot, but some don't get HT.

You can get a decent aftermarket cooler for about $20 - $50 dollars, but as is the case with almost all computer parts you get what you pay for. X58 is more powerful and has the advantage of tri channel memory. With P55 They run cooler than their 1366 counter parts also the amount of memory needed is less, and the motherboards and processors are cheaper. Your case will also play a huge role in the temps of your processor, cases the the HAF 932 and 922 push a lot of air through the case, and as such have lower ambient, and GPU and CPU temps.

20 dollar coolers

1156 (P55)

Cooler Master ( decent cooler, but the mounting brackets are kind cheap)
Masscool

50 dollar coolers

1156 (P55)

ARCTIC COOLING
Thermaltake Silent (just kinda meh, but better than the stock cooler)
ZEROtherm (pretty good and very quiet cooler also fits 1366 (x58))

1366 (x58)
Thermaltake CLP0533

60+ dollar coolers

1156 (p55)

Prolimatech Megahalems ( no fans, but you can get a set of fans for 20-30 dollars, also fits 1366)

1366 (x58)


CORSAIR Cooling Hydro Series CWCH50-1 (great preformer, can upgrade, by putting a bigger better fan on it, also fits 1156)
Noctua(quiet and gives good temps)
Noctua NH-D14 (amazing temps, whisper quiet, and fairly simple to install, and has the option for a third fan, but is a little on the heavy side, also fits 1156)
Thermaltake SpinQ (quiet, adjustable fan, installing isn't hard, but not "easy" also can block the ram slots on some motherboards, also fits 1156)
ZALMAN CNPS9900ALED (quiet gives great temps and is easy to install and fits 1156 also)
ZALMAN CNPS10X Extreme (quiet, easy to install and has an adjustable fan, also fits 1156)

These are just a few recommendations, and suggestions and is by n on means your "only" options. But they are good strong choices.

Now all that said said and done, if you could give us some more information on what your setup will be. Like what platform (P55 or X58) your motherboard, and processor, even ram, and what case you will be using. We can help you out a lot more. There's just too many unknown factors to make a good recommendation for you. But should you choose to go with the stock cooler, getting to 3.2 with a stock cooler though not impossible you can expect be running at 70+ C at load which is kinda hot, it may not be your best option, the cooler your CPU is running the better. Please post more info on your future rig so we can help you out.

 

[HossHuge]

I have the Cooler Master Hyper TX3 [H]@RD5TUFF mentioned. It's not that good. I think for a little more money I could have gotten much better. It looks OK but it only dropped my temps 5-6 degrees.

And he is right the mounting brackets suck!

 

[[H]@RD5TUFF]

I have the Cooler Master Hyper TX3 [H]@RD5TUFF mentioned. It's not that good. I think for a little more money I could have gotten much better. It looks OK but it only dropped my temps 5-6 degrees.

And he is right the mounting brackets suck!

It's better that the stock cooler, I mean it's a budget cooler, and it preforms as such. For 15'ish dollars it's a pretty goods value. As I said before with coolers you get what you pay for. you for sure could have done better, the SpinQ, for example is about 40'ish dollars depending on where you shop, it's a good value and preforms by about 10% or so better than the TX3 and stock cooler.

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

for cheapest bang for buck on an i7 get the Coolermaster Hyper 212plus and strap a 2nd fan to it the 212plus with 2 fans is on par and sometimes beats the TRUE at 1/2 the cost

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&Tpk=hyper 212plus

strap another matching fan and your good to go $40 for a cooler that rivals a TRUE

so $40 for top end air performance compared to the TRUE 120 at about $65-70

$40 stems from another FAN and shipping base price for the Hyper 212+ which is good in its own right is $30

 

[TIGR]

Another vote for Xigmatek here! Good bang for the buck and they're really quite efficient at cooling for their weight and volume, as well as being great with limited airflow.

 

[[H]@RD5TUFF]

Another vote for Xigmatek here! Good bang for the buck and they're really quite efficient at cooling for their weight and volume, as well as being great with limited airflow.

The problem with Xigmatek, is none of their cooler support 1156 that I can see, I may be wrong, by default you have to spend another 10'ish dollars for a bracket set. But that may not even be a problem if the OP is going x58.

 

[theonedub]

The problem with Xigmatek, is none of their cooler support 1156 that I can see, I may be wrong, by default you have to spend another 10'ish dollars for a bracket set. But that may not even be a problem if the OP is going x58.

Xigmatek Balder, 1156 in the box

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/2985/xigmatek_balder_sd1283_hdt_cpu_cooler/index.html

 

[Cratzky]

I vote xigmatek aswell ! they make really good coolers noone heard of

 

[Reefer86]

This surely is a question you should already know the answer to, but after market would be the way!

 

[Kantastic]

Xigmatek Balder, 1156 in the box

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/2985/xigmatek_balder_sd1283_hdt_cpu_cooler/index.html

Unfortunately you can't get it anywhere yet or I'd be all over one.

Okay well you can get it at one place.. for $50 + shipping. No thanks.

 

[CDdude55]

It depends on the processor your using and your case, as previously stated P55 runs much cooler than X58, and is a cheaper platform. What case are you going to be using? or no case at all ? whats your budget? Also will you be running P55, or X58? Now that said there is no way you can make the argument of a stock cooler being able to compete with an after market fan. But if your using the X58 platform like a i7 920 or a 940 going to 3.2 isn't really a stretch on a stock cooler. If your using the P55 platform an i7 860 or 870 you can squeeze by with the stock cooler. P55's overclock about the same as X58 processors and run cooler to boot, but some don't get HT.

You can get a decent aftermarket cooler for about $20 - $50 dollars, but as is the case with almost all computer parts you get what you pay for. X58 is more powerful and has the advantage of tri channel memory. With P55 They run cooler than their 1366 counter parts also the amount of memory needed is less, and the motherboards and processors are cheaper. Your case will also play a huge role in the temps of your processor, cases the the HAF 932 and 922 push a lot of air through the case, and as such have lower ambient, and GPU and CPU temps.

20 dollar coolers

1156 (P55)

Cooler Master ( decent cooler, but the mounting brackets are kind cheap)
Masscool

50 dollar coolers

1156 (P55)

ARCTIC COOLING
Thermaltake Silent (just kinda meh, but better than the stock cooler)
ZEROtherm (pretty good and very quiet cooler also fits 1366 (x58))

1366 (x58)
Thermaltake CLP0533

60+ dollar coolers

1156 (p55)

Prolimatech Megahalems ( no fans, but you can get a set of fans for 20-30 dollars, also fits 1366)

1366 (x58)


CORSAIR Cooling Hydro Series CWCH50-1 (great preformer, can upgrade, by putting a bigger better fan on it, also fits 1156)
Noctua(quiet and gives good temps)
Noctua NH-D14 (amazing temps, whisper quiet, and fairly simple to install, and has the option for a third fan, but is a little on the heavy side, also fits 1156)
Thermaltake SpinQ (quiet, adjustable fan, installing isn't hard, but not "easy" also can block the ram slots on some motherboards, also fits 1156)
ZALMAN CNPS9900ALED (quiet gives great temps and is easy to install and fits 1156 also)
ZALMAN CNPS10X Extreme (quiet, easy to install and has an adjustable fan, also fits 1156)

These are just a few recommendations, and suggestions and is by n on means your "only" options. But they are good strong choices.

Now all that said said and done, if you could give us some more information on what your setup will be. Like what platform (P55 or X58) your motherboard, and processor, even ram, and what case you will be using. We can help you out a lot more. There's just too many unknown factors to make a good recommendation for you. But should you choose to go with the stock cooler, getting to 3.2 with a stock cooler though not impossible you can expect be running at 70+ C at load which is kinda hot, it may not be your best option, the cooler your CPU is running the better. Please post more info on your future rig so we can help you out.

Good info.

I will be using an EVGA X58 SLI mobo(758), Core i7 920 CPU and 6GB of Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1333 RAM with a CM690 case. I really don't have a budget, just as long as the cooler isn't $100 and over.

 

[[H]@RD5TUFF]

Good info.

I will be using an EVGA X58 SLI mobo(758), Core i7 920 CPU and 6GB of Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1333 RAM with a CM690 case. I really don't have a budget, just as long as the cooler isn't $100 and over.

With a 920, you can reach 3.2 GHZ with the stock cooler, it's just not a set up your going to want to keep. You can do a lot with 100 dollars, and the 690 is a pretty roomy case, with a lot of options for cable routing and fan mounts.

Also the fan configuration in your case can make a huge difference, things like a beefy exhaust fan can make a big difference.

The H50 from Corsair is a good option, can be purchased for about 70-80 dollars, and is whisper quiet and is very competitive in terms of cooling capacity. Also later down the road you can add bigger and better fans, my kid brother is using one on his Phenom II 550 BE with a Feser / Noiseblocker Triebwerk TK-122 (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9...m_Mid_Speed_Fan_-_1800_RPM.html?tl=g36c15s932) and his idle temp is about 27c, and max load is 36c, pushing almost 90 CFM that fan is still quieter than the fan in his XFX 5850. The screws that come with the H50 and with the fan aren't long enough but it's nothing a trip to lowes or home depot or ace hardware doesn't fix.