[SOLVED] Cooling solution for i5 2500k CPU

[Magma]

EDIT: Getting a Noctua DH14 air cooler.

Need to push my 2500k beyond 4.5 GHz and understandably the temps are getting a little uncomfortable with the stock heatsink (puny little thing!) and fan.

Anyone have this CPU or similar with a decent aftermarket cooling solution?

Air would be better...water seems like a pain and I want to avoid it.

[upcoast]

212 evo http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2655&page=5

[_I_]

beyond 4.5 will need a cooler better than 212evo
h100-105-110
or silver arrow/dh14

[upcoast]

Originally posted by _I_:

beyond 4.5 will need a cooler better than 212evo
h100-105-110
or silver arrow/dh14

Regardless he needs something he's running 4.5ghz on the stock cooler.

Ps, not even a degree diff from evo to arrow.

[Magma]

That 212 Evo seems like it might be a little too cheap...the Noctua DH14 is slightly more expensive but it's bigger and the noise levels are almost the same.

I will probably get a DH14.

[Azza ☠]

The Noctua DH14 is an ideal pick... however get it's updated brother Noctua DH15, if it fits and not too much price difference.

Noctua DH15 includes the latest NF-A15 fans, which have better flow cooling.

Note this will be slightly louder, but you can cap it with L.N.A and get the same results.

Noctua DH15

Max. Airflow 140,2 m³/h
Max. Acoustical Noise 24,6 dB(A)

Max. Airflow with L.N.A. 115,5 m³/h
Max. Acoustical Noise with L.N.A. 19,2 dB(A)

vs

Noctua DH14

Airflow 110,3 / 92,3 m³/h
Acoustical Noise 19,6 / 19,8 dB(A)

Airflow with U.L.N.A. 83,7 / 63,4 m³/h
Acoustical Noise with U.L.N.A. 13,2 / 12,6 dB(A)

The Low-Noise-Adapter (L.N.A.) and Ultra-Low-Noise-Adapter (U.L.N.A.) reduce the speed of the fans, they are included as optional cables.

If you can't read that, it's basically saying the airflow (while using the L.N.A cable included) on the DH15 will be still slightly more, with less noise than the DH14 (without L.N.A). Without L.N.A on the DH15, you will get even more airflow, but at a louder noise volume. It will depend on your PC Case if you can hear this or not.

[Masterscubadude]

Anyone here bother to ask the OP which case he's got? A Ferrari radiator will not fit a Reliant Robin. We all have our own favourites but will it fit the case.

[Magma]

Originally posted by Azza ☠:

The Noctua DH14 is an ideal pick... however get it's updated brother Noctua DH15, if it fits and not too much price difference.

Noctua DH15 includes the latest NF-A15 fans, which have better flow cooling.

Note this will be slightly louder, but you can cap it with L.N.A and get the same results.

Noctua DH15

Max. Airflow 140,2 m³/h
Max. Acoustical Noise 24,6 dB(A)

Max. Airflow with L.N.A. 115,5 m³/h
Max. Acoustical Noise with L.N.A. 19,2 dB(A)

vs

Noctua DH14

Airflow 110,3 / 92,3 m³/h
Acoustical Noise 19,6 / 19,8 dB(A)

Airflow with U.L.N.A. 83,7 / 63,4 m³/h
Acoustical Noise with U.L.N.A. 13,2 / 12,6 dB(A)

The Low-Noise-Adapter (L.N.A.) and Ultra-Low-Noise-Adapter (U.L.N.A.) reduce the speed of the fans, they are included as optional cables.

If you can't read that, it's basically saying the airflow (while using the L.N.A cable included) on the DH15 will be still slightly more, with less noise than the DH14 (without L.N.A). Without L.N.A on the DH15, you will get even more airflow, but at a louder noise volume. It will depend on your PC Case if you can hear this or not.

Interesting.

I forgot to mention that my case airflow is already very good. I have 2 int and 2 out fans. A lot of air will be passing the heatsink as it is, so I feel that the extra cost of the DH15 is possibly not worth it.

[OLDMAN🎅]

water Cooling is not a pain if you get a good system,
like this one from HP
HP's Water-Cooled Supercomputer is Designed for the Hydrophobic

http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/computing/hardware/a-watercooled-supercomputer-for-the-hydrophobic-

[Masterscubadude]

Magma can you link your case here so we can have a butcher's at it?

[Magma]

Originally posted by MASTERSCUBADUDE:

Magma can you link your case here so we can have a butcher's at it?

Found it, eventually. It's a BitFenix Merc Alpha:

http://www.bitfenix.com/global/en/products/chassis/merc-alpha/

[videogames]

Keep in mind the NH-D15 will block tall ram heatsinks, so if that's an issue you might want to go for the D14, or swapping the front fan if you don't have enough room in your case to lift it up a bit.

[Masterscubadude]

Old 'Man is right but his link is baffling me! It's not all custom pipes and fancy elbow bends
It's a closed circuit radiator with water in it and two pipes. The rocket science bit is seeing if it fits your case screwing it in and attatching the heat spreader ( err I mean pump to the Cpu) Job done easy peasy.

For example http://www.corsair.com/en/cooling/cpu-coolers

Originally posted by Magma:

Originally posted by MASTERSCUBADUDE:

Magma can you link your case here so we can have a butcher's at it?

Found it, eventually. It's a BitFenix Merc Alpha:

http://www.bitfenix.com/global/en/products/chassis/merc-alpha/

Ooooh I feel a 100i here with those 120mm top fan slots comin' on.
do your research and look at the tests from the usual suspect sites. Tom's hardware etc or Team Liquid.
get as many reviews in and check owners comments.

[Magma]

Ok, the water option is back on now.

If i get a 2 fan one, like the 100i, I will have to remove one of my out take fans (I have one on top and one at the back). Fine I guess, I could just sell it.

Is a 100i or 80i likely to be quieter than the D14 air cooler? I was under the impression that water cooling is very quiet. If it is then, come to think of it, that would be a big bonus.

[videogames]

I doubt there's enough clearance to fit a dual 120mm rad in there. His best liquid cooled option is probably something like a H80i GT. I'd just get a NH-D14; it'll be tight but should fit.

[Masterscubadude]

Not sure about noise levels but my h80i runs cool, quiet and sweet. As for the fit type you question into google. You bet some poor bugger has had the same question and solved that bit.
PPS I'm glad I changed to these closed circuit coolers. I kind of got fancy and had the Corsair HX750i PSU with it to run Corsair link system.