Small air CPU coolers

Aceman.au · Nov 28, 2013

So right now I'm using the stock Intel cooler and my god it is rubbish.

I currently have a Noctua NH-D14 in my possession but its too large for the motherboard. It touches the first PCI-E gfx card and the RAM to the point where the sticks bend a little.

Now I'm wondering are there any small coolers that work better than the stock Intel 2011 socket cooler? I've been looking but I dunno what to get.
https://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18927

Jetster · Nov 28, 2013

The CM 212 EVO should work fine, Its close to the memory but will clear. Otherwise its the TX3

Aceman.au · Nov 28, 2013

Not socket 2011?

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_23&products_id=18944

212 Evo isn't listed on the site I buy from which is this one ^

How about

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_23&products_id=19993

Jetster · Nov 28, 2013

Yes it will. They updated the package if you get a new one

rooivalk · Nov 28, 2013

Thermalright True Spirit 120 seems to be better heatsink than 212 Evo, and bit cheaper too (in my place at least).

radrok · Nov 28, 2013

I know you asked for a small air cooler but have you thought about getting a CLC unit like the H80i/H100i?

Would be way easier to fit around LGA2011.

Aceman.au · Nov 28, 2013

radrok said:
I know you asked for a small air cooler but have you thought about getting a CLC unit like the H80i/H100i?

Would be way easier to fit around LGA2011.

No water cooling. I don't trust water and electrics together.

Doc41 · Nov 28, 2013

If money isn't an issue try the Phanteks PH-TC12DX from the site you linked
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_23&products_id=25610
Review of it from TPU on a 2011 board
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Phanteks/PH-TC12DX/1.html
Or you could try Arctic's freezer i30 or any single tower heatsink also available from that site

Tatty_Two · Nov 28, 2013

Why not just cut away the bottom protruding fins from the D14 so it does not impose on the memory sticks? I have done this many times, obviously if it requires loads of fins to be cut it's probably not practical but if it's just 3 or 4 there should not be a problem.

Aceman.au · Nov 28, 2013

Tatty_One said:
Why not just cut away the bottom protruding fins from the D14 so it does not impose on the memory sticks? I have done this many times, obviously if it requires loads of fins to be cut it's probably not practical but if it's just 3 or 4 there should not be a problem.

Hmmm not a bad idea. Voided warranty but the fans are easily replaced and I don't think those heat pipes will break anytime soon.

Kaynar · Nov 28, 2013

Aceman.au said:
No water cooling. I don't trust water and electrics together.

FYI pure water is not conductive. Also, these AIO watercoolers are not using water but some special liquids.

The 212 Evo is good for stock performance from my experience. Kept my stock i7 930 (2.8ghz) below 65c in Prime95 and could do 3.6Ghz below 85c (which is not so bad)

Aceman.au · Nov 28, 2013

I think I will cut the fins down. What tool should I use? Ill need to shave some off the side that touches the gfx card and some bottom fins that are in the way

I've cancelled my order already (lol they will be pissed).

Aceman.au · Nov 28, 2013

Kaynar said:
FYI pure water is not conductive. Also, these AIO watercoolers are not using water but some special liquids.

The 212 Evo is good for stock performance from my experience. Kept my stock i7 930 (2.8ghz) below 65c in Prime95 and could do 3.6Ghz below 85c (which is not so bad)

Then why is it "water" cooling? :S

Or is water just generalizing, like the work liquid. Liquid cooling would make more sense.

Btw I'm off to bed guys, I'll read your thoughts tomorrow.

radrok · Nov 28, 2013

Liquid will become conductive when touching your components anyway, it takes a little bit of dust to make it dangerous.

Jetster · Nov 28, 2013

Closed systems rairly leak.

radrok · Nov 28, 2013

Jetster said:
Closed systems rairly leak.

Custom loops leak even less

micropage7 · Nov 28, 2013

Tatty_One said:
Why not just cut away the bottom protruding fins from the D14 so it does not impose on the memory sticks? I have done this many times, obviously if it requires loads of fins to be cut it's probably not practical but if it's just 3 or 4 there should not be a problem.

dont cut just bend it, its the easiest way. cutting may leave some residue

Tatty_Two · Nov 28, 2013

Aceman.au said:
I think I will cut the fins down. What tool should I use? Ill need to shave some off the side that touches the gfx card and some bottom fins that are in the way

I've cancelled my order already (lol they will be pissed).

All I did was to take the cooler off, bend from the 2 corners the bottom fins seperating them from the main body of fins, then cut, I have a very sharp pair of tin cutters (like large scissors but specifically for thin sheet metals). The first time I did it, it was on a cheap artic cooler, I didnt need to cut in the end because bending those bottom fins made them just snap off.

Vario · Nov 28, 2013

I'm running a salvaged freebie AIO 120mm radiator copper waterblock made by AseTek. Works great for a low profile setup. No leaks. Guy before me ran it for like 3 years 24/7 on his PhenomX6 1060T but gave it to me after I upgraded him to a 3570k. I think it was put in his system by cyberpower. Its not on a computer I run often so I am not too worried about its max life and it actually outperforms my h100i. The pump works better. Thing fits easily low profile. I use Corsair's 1155 compatible mounting kit but its not a corsair product.

Aceman.au · Nov 30, 2013

So. I've cut off the bottom 4 blades on both sides as shown.

And it now fits....

Aceman.au · Nov 30, 2013

I haven't tested it under load, but it's idling as wayyyy lower temps. 10-15 degrees lower in fact.

Safe to say my warranty is void.

Aceman.au · Nov 30, 2013

Btw I've only got the single fan on it due to space constraints. Will it still cool ok?

Tatty_Two · Nov 30, 2013

Aceman.au said:
Btw I've only got the single fan on it due to space constraints. Will it still cool ok?

It will cool fine, a 2nd fan in push/pull will give you an extra couple of degrees, possibly upto 5C but if it's working fine then all is good. As for the warranty, if you were not using the cooler anyways then there was no point in the warranty in the first place!

RejZoR · Nov 30, 2013

Kaynar said:
FYI pure water is not conductive. Also, these AIO watercoolers are not using water but some special liquids.

The 212 Evo is good for stock performance from my experience. Kept my stock i7 930 (2.8ghz) below 65c in Prime95 and could do 3.6Ghz below 85c (which is not so bad)

Distilled water only works for a short time before it becomes ionized and thus conductive.

Mr.Scott · Nov 30, 2013

TT NiC series coolers don't block ram slots and work as well or better than CM's 212+.

System Name	Toaster!
Processor	Intel Core i7 10700KF @ 3.8/5.1GHZ
Motherboard	ASUS Prime Z490-P Motherboard
Cooling	Noctua NH-D15 CPU cooler.
Memory	G.Skill Trident Z RGB 64GB (4x16GB) 3600MHz CL16 DDR4
Video Card(s)	ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3090 OC 24GB
Storage	Samsung 970 PRO M.2 NVMe SSD 1TB
Display(s)	Asus ROG PG43UQ 4K UHD 144Hz G-Sync HDR 43in + 2 x ASUS VG258Q FHD 144Hz Freesync 25in Monitor
Case	Corsair Obsidian 900D
Audio Device(s)	EPOS Sennheiser GSX 1000 V2 amplifier + EPOS Gaming GSP 601 Headset
Power Supply	Corsair AX1000 Titanium Modular
Mouse	Razer Deathadder
Keyboard	Corsair K70.
Software	ALL HAIL WINDOWS 10.
Benchmark Scores	Old system: http://www.3dmark.com/fs/6805248

System Name	Juliette // My HTPC
Processor	Intel i7 9700K // AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
Motherboard	ASUS Prime Z390X-A // ASRock B550 ITX-AC
Cooling	Noctua NH-U12 Black // Stock
Memory	Corsair DDR4 3600 32gb //G.SKILL Trident Z Royal Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 3600
Video Card(s)	ASUS RTX4070 OC// ASUS RTX 4060 OC
Storage	Samsung 970 EVO NVMe 1Tb, Intel 665p Series M.2 2280 1TB // Samsung 1Tb SSD
Display(s)	ASUS VP348QGL 34" Quad HD 3440 x 1440 // 55" LG 4K SK8000 Series
Case	Seasonic SYNCRO Q7// Silverstone Granada GD05
Audio Device(s)	Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 // HDMI to Samsung HW-R650 sound bar
Power Supply	Seasonic SYNCRO 750 W // CORSAIR Vengeance 650M
Mouse	G903 and a Master Mouse MM710/No mouse, MS game copntroller
Keyboard	EVGA / Logitech K400
Software	Windows 11 Pro // Windows 10 Pro

System Name	Toaster!
Processor	Intel Core i7 10700KF @ 3.8/5.1GHZ
Motherboard	ASUS Prime Z490-P Motherboard
Cooling	Noctua NH-D15 CPU cooler.
Memory	G.Skill Trident Z RGB 64GB (4x16GB) 3600MHz CL16 DDR4
Video Card(s)	ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3090 OC 24GB
Storage	Samsung 970 PRO M.2 NVMe SSD 1TB
Display(s)	Asus ROG PG43UQ 4K UHD 144Hz G-Sync HDR 43in + 2 x ASUS VG258Q FHD 144Hz Freesync 25in Monitor
Case	Corsair Obsidian 900D
Audio Device(s)	EPOS Sennheiser GSX 1000 V2 amplifier + EPOS Gaming GSP 601 Headset
Power Supply	Corsair AX1000 Titanium Modular
Mouse	Razer Deathadder
Keyboard	Corsair K70.
Software	ALL HAIL WINDOWS 10.
Benchmark Scores	Old system: http://www.3dmark.com/fs/6805248

System Name	Juliette // My HTPC
Processor	Intel i7 9700K // AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
Motherboard	ASUS Prime Z390X-A // ASRock B550 ITX-AC
Cooling	Noctua NH-U12 Black // Stock
Memory	Corsair DDR4 3600 32gb //G.SKILL Trident Z Royal Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 3600
Video Card(s)	ASUS RTX4070 OC// ASUS RTX 4060 OC
Storage	Samsung 970 EVO NVMe 1Tb, Intel 665p Series M.2 2280 1TB // Samsung 1Tb SSD
Display(s)	ASUS VP348QGL 34" Quad HD 3440 x 1440 // 55" LG 4K SK8000 Series
Case	Seasonic SYNCRO Q7// Silverstone Granada GD05
Audio Device(s)	Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 // HDMI to Samsung HW-R650 sound bar
Power Supply	Seasonic SYNCRO 750 W // CORSAIR Vengeance 650M
Mouse	G903 and a Master Mouse MM710/No mouse, MS game copntroller
Keyboard	EVGA / Logitech K400
Software	Windows 11 Pro // Windows 10 Pro

Processor	Ryzen 3600
Motherboard	B450
Cooling	Scythe Ashura
Memory	Team Dark Z 3200 8GB x2
Video Card(s)	MSI 390
Storage	WD 2TB + WD Green 640GB
Display(s)	Samsung 40JU6600 @ 200% scaling
Case	Coolermaster CM 690 II
Audio Device(s)	Fiio E10K, Graham Slee Solo II SRG, Sennheiser HD6XX, AKG K7XX, ATH WS1100is
Power Supply	Corsair HX650
Mouse	Rival 700
Keyboard	Corsair K70, Razer Tarantula

Small air CPU coolers

Aceman.au

Jetster

Aceman.au

Jetster

rooivalk

radrok

Aceman.au

Doc41

Tatty_Two

Gone Fishing

Aceman.au

Kaynar

Aceman.au

Aceman.au

radrok

Jetster

radrok

micropage7

Tatty_Two

Gone Fishing

Vario

Aceman.au

Aceman.au

Aceman.au

Tatty_Two

Gone Fishing

RejZoR

Mr.Scott

Processor	8700k Intel
Motherboard	z370 MSI Godlike Gaming
Cooling	Triple Aquacomputer AMS Copper 840 with D5
Memory	TridentZ RGB G.Skill C16 3600MHz
Video Card(s)	GTX 1080 Ti
Storage	Crucial MX SSDs
Display(s)	Dell U3011 2560x1600 + Dell 2408WFP 1200x1920 (Portrait)
Case	Core P5 Thermaltake
Audio Device(s)	Essence STX
Power Supply	AX 1500i
Mouse	Logitech
Keyboard	Corsair
Software	Win10

System Name	Lazyman 9000+
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 3800X
Motherboard	X570 Aorus Ultra
Cooling	Arctic LF II 280
Memory	2x8GB Crucial Ballistix 3600 MHz DDR4
Video Card(s)	PowerColor Red Devil 5700XT
Storage	Never Enough
Display(s)	ASUS VG248QE+ Dell E2420H
Case	LIAN LI Lancool II Mesh RGB
Audio Device(s)	Sennheiser HD518 / Logitech Z623
Power Supply	FSP AURUM PT 850W
Mouse	Logitech G600
Keyboard	Logitech G810 Orion Spectrum
Software	Win 11
Benchmark Scores	All over the bench

Processor	Intel Core i9 11900KF @ -.080mV PL max @220w
Motherboard	MSI MAG Z490 TOMAHAWK
Cooling	DeepCool LS520SE Liquid + 3 Phanteks 140mm case fans
Memory	32GB (4 x 8GB SR) Patriot Viper Steel Bdie @ 3600Mhz CL14 1.45v Gear 1
Video Card(s)	Asus Dual RTX 4070 OC + 8% PL
Storage	WD Blue SN550 1TB M.2 NVME//Crucial MX500 500GB SSD (OS)
Display(s)	AOC Q2781PQ 27 inch Ultra Slim 2560 x 1440 IPS
Case	Phanteks Enthoo Pro M Windowed - Gunmetal
Audio Device(s)	Onboard Realtek ALC1200/SPDIF to Sony AVR @ 5.1
Power Supply	Seasonic CORE GM650w Gold Semi modular
Software	Win 11 Home x64

System Name	My PC
Processor	i7 4790k @4.4ghz
Motherboard	Gigabyte z97m-d3h
Cooling	Corsair H105
Memory	4x4GB Corsair Dominator Platinum 2133-9-11-11-31-1T
Video Card(s)	GTX970 Stric oc
Storage	Samsung 840Pro 512GB
Display(s)	Asus ROG SWIFT
Case	Lian Li 359
Audio Device(s)	Denon DA-300USB / Denon AH-D5000
Power Supply	Corsair AX860
Mouse	Roccat Kone Pure Optical
Keyboard	Corsair K70
Software	Win10 64-bit home

System Name	Computer of Theseus
Processor	Intel i9-12900KS: 50x Pcore multi @ 1.18Vcore (target 1.275V -100mv offset)
Motherboard	EVGA Z690 Classified
Cooling	Noctua NH-D15S, 2xSF MegaCool SF-PF14, 4xNoctua NF-A12x25, 3xNF-A12x15, AquaComputer Splitty9Active
Memory	G-Skill Trident Z5 (32GB) DDR5-6000 C36 F5-6000J3636F16GX2-TZ5RK
Video Card(s)	ASUS PROART RTX 4070 Ti-Super OC 16GB, 2670MHz, 0.93V
Storage	1x Samsung 990 Pro 1TB NVMe (OS), 2x Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2TB (data), ASUS BW-16D1HT (BluRay)
Display(s)	Dell S3220DGF 32" 2560x1440 165Hz Primary, Dell P2017H 19.5" 1600x900 Secondary, Ergotron LX arms.
Case	Lian Li O11 Air Mini
Audio Device(s)	Audiotechnica ATR2100X-USB, El Gato Wave XLR Mic Preamp, ATH M50X Headphones, Behringer 302USB Mixer
Power Supply	Super Flower Leadex Platinum SE 1000W 80+ Platinum White, MODDIY 12VHPWR Cable
Mouse	Zowie EC3-C
Keyboard	Vortex Multix 87 Winter TKL (Gateron G Pro Yellow)
Software	Win 10 LTSC 21H2

System Name	Master
Processor	Pair of Xeon X5675's @ 4.3
Motherboard	SR-2 Classified
Memory	12 GB of Corsair Dominator GT's @ 2000 7-7-7-21
Video Card(s)	EVGA GTX680
Power Supply	EVGA Supernova 750