Need decision on CPU cooler - Overclock.net

piston2001 · 07-02-09

I ordered xigmatek dark knight from online store this afternoon. And then I found this website by accident after the order. (too late to cancel order, I tried)

After some reading, I am starting to feel that the Dark Knight is not going to cut for the objective that I have.

My objective: To overclock the CPU to about 3.8 - 4 GHz (I think 3.8 is fine)
with a low noise profile. (I hate noisy fans)

Goal: To purchase the best value for money air cooler to achieve the above objective. I am trying to avoid spending 70+ for the cooler + fan only.

Possible candidate:
Scythe Mugen 2 - saw this is huge and might be a problem for installation

Action:
1. Should I reject the Dark Knight when it gets to me and pay the restocking fee of $6 ?
2. Which cooler to use to achieve the objective ?
3. Should I replace the stock fan to get a low noise profile ?
4. I have Arctic Silver 5. Should I get something else to lower the temp ?

spaceballsrules · 07-03-09

1. Should I reject the Dark Knight when it gets to me and pay the restocking fee of $6 ? Hell no! The DK is the best bang-for-buck cooler around. You won't get anything better unless you pay big $$$ for a Noctua/TRUE/Megahalem.
2. Which cooler to use to achieve the objective ? Does not apply

3. Should I replace the stock fan to get a low noise profile ? I would listen to it running first before getting a fan. This is so subjective that nobody else can really tell you either way. The stock fan might be perfect for you.
You can certainly find higher quality fans (Scythe S-Flex) and/or fans with higher static pressure (i.e. 38mm San Ace). As I said, judge for yourself if the stock fan suits your needs first.
4. I have Arctic Silver 5. Should I get something else to lower the temp ? I would get OCZ Freeze, IC Diamond, or Arctic Cooling MX-2. Those are the best TIMs right now, and they all perform within 1-2*C of each other.

Mygaffer · 07-03-09

1. Should I reject the Dark Knight when it gets to me and pay the restocking fee of $6 ?
In my opinion you should at least install it and see how it performs, since it is already shipped.

2. Which cooler to use to achieve the objective ?
Well, if the Dark Knight works, then you'll have your answer. Otherwise I must say the Sunbeam Core-Contact cooler is awesome and cheap, my buddy gets great temps with it. It also fits his AM2+ mobo just fine.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835207004

3. Should I replace the stock fan to get a low noise profile ?
I wouldn't, as the stock fan the DK comes with actually moves tons of air and isn't noisy at all. I run it on full speed and only notice it if nothing else is on.

4. I have Arctic Silver 5. Should I get something else to lower the temp ?
Arctic Silver is still one of the premier TIM's. It will work just fine, or you can try IC7, I haven't tried it but have heard good things.

ducrider · 07-03-09

Keep the DK and you will be happy.Get some od the above mentioned TIM's and you will be golden.

esocid · 07-03-09

You'll be hard pressed using air to find a cooler to get you to 4.0 without spending $70. I think a True, or Megahelm might do that, but I'm running a Dark Knight now. With AC on I idle ~43C.

bk7794 · 07-03-09

see how the dark knight performs and maybe it can be a lapping project. This how if you accidently destroy it or it comes out wrong you can get a better one like something more expensive I guess. For thermal compound, if you really want get the OCZ freeze like above said but if you have AS5 try that first. I know it might be a pain to take the mobo out so if you really want just get the ocz freeze. For a fan I hear the noctua fans not the heatsink but fans are awesome or so says albert on tigerdirect. im getting a noctua in a couple days from newegg so I would be able to better judge his statement. Good luck overclocking your i7

Aardobard · 07-03-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by bk7794

see how the dark knight performs and maybe it can be a lapping project. This how if you accidently destroy it or it comes out wrong you can get a better one like something more expensive I guess. For thermal compound, if you really want get the OCZ freeze like above said but if you have AS5 try that first. I know it might be a pain to take the mobo out so if you really want just get the ocz freeze. For a fan I hear the noctua fans not the heatsink but fans are awesome or so says albert on tigerdirect. im getting a noctua in a couple days from newegg so I would be able to better judge his statement. Good luck overclocking your i7

I second the Noctua fan praise. I swapped my stock Noctua fan for a Ultrakaze 2000rpm 38mm (thick) fan and saw no CPU temperature difference, but a ton of noise difference. TBH, the Noctua NH-U12P coolers don't have the fin density that some of the other premium coolers have, so that may make a difference. The fans by themselves are pricey though.

Kemosaby · 07-03-09

Keep the Dark Knight, it's the best cooler out there for the money. I put one on my E5200 that's oc'd to 3.3 on stock voltage and it brought it from 40c to 28c at idle and from 60+ under load to 44c. It also lowered my mb temps from 32c to 28c. Just make sure it will fit in your case. I'm having to mod my side panel now to fit it.

Kemosaby · 07-03-09

Make sure you take the Arctic Silver 5 and smear it on the base of the DK as well. You want to work it in the cracks real good and then put a coat on your cpu and you'll be chilling.

piston2001 · 07-03-09

Thanks for all the feedback. I guess since the DK is on its way. I should give it a shot. I heard that I can adjust the CPU fan speed via bios. So if it gets noisy , I will do that first.

=> esocid,
if you OC to 3.8, what's your CPU temp like (assuming ambient temp is around 70s) ? actually this question is quite controversial because it is dependent on many factors:

- ambient air temp
- PC casing
- airflow within the casing

=> bk7794
Keep me posted on your fan noise. I am interested to hear your opinion.

=>Kemosaby
Thanks for your advice. I will keep it in mind when I do my install. Tricky part is to strike a balance of not over-applying versus too little.

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Need decision on CPU cooler

07-03-09	#8 (permalink)
Kemosaby Intel Overclocker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Corbin, KY Posts: 6 Rep: 1 Unique Rep: 1 Trader Rating: 0	Keep the Dark Knight, it's the best cooler out there for the money. I put one on my E5200 that's oc'd to 3.3 on stock voltage and it brought it from 40c to 28c at idle and from 60+ under load to 44c. It also lowered my mb temps from 32c to 28c. Just make sure it will fit in your case. I'm having to mod my side panel now to fit it.

07-03-09	#9 (permalink)
Kemosaby Intel Overclocker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Corbin, KY Posts: 6 Rep: 1 Unique Rep: 1 Trader Rating: 0	Make sure you take the Arctic Silver 5 and smear it on the base of the DK as well. You want to work it in the cracks real good and then put a coat on your cpu and you'll be chilling.

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