Alternatives to the Hyper 212+/Evo for budget cooling

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Currently these are cheaper (right at this moment in time) than either the 212+ or Evo, and all perform about the same (ie: descent for mild OC quad cores):

- NZXT Respire T20
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-cpu-cooler-rcrst2001

- Zalman CNPS10X OPTIMA
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/zalman-cpu-cooler-cnps10xoptima

- Cooler Master Hyper T4
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rrt418pkr1

- Scythe Shuriken Rev. B 3
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/scythe-cpu-cooler-scsk1100

- RAIJINTEK THEMIS
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/raijintek-cpu-cooler-0p105255

- Masscool 7WA868
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/masscool-cpu-cooler-7wa868

- Rosewill ROCC-12001
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-cpu-cooler-rocc12001

- Rosewill AIOLOS
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-cpu-cooler-aiolos

- SilenX EFZ-120HA5
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/silenx-cpu-cooler-efz120ha5


- Xigmatek Prime SD1484
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xigmatek-cpu-cooler-primesd1484

Subject to change. Let me know if something interesting is missing here and I'll add it.

Nothing against the 212+ or EVO. They are great coolers for the $25-$30, but most often they are priced much higher (due to demand). Also some people just might want to try something different.
 
Currently these are cheaper (right at this moment in time) than either the 212+ or Evo, and all perform about the same (ie: good for overclocking quad cores or mild overclock on six core):

Nothing against the 212+ or EVO. They are great coolers for the $25-$30, but most often they are priced much higher (due to demand). Also some people just might want to try something different.


- Arctic Cooling Freezer A30
http://www.arctic.ac/us_en/freezer-a30.html

- Arctic Cooling Freezer i30
http://www.arctic.ac/us_en/freezer-i30.html

- Cooler Master Hyper T4
http://www.coolermaster.com/cooling/cpu-air-cooler/hyper-t4/

- CRYORIG H7
http://www.cryorig.com/h7.php

- Enermax ETS-T40-TB
http://www.enermax.com/home.php?fn=eng/product_a1_1_1&lv0=49&lv1=50&no=161

- EVERCOOL VENTI
http://www.evercool.com.tw/categories/global/cooler/cpucooler/intel/2011/hpq-12025/venti.php

- Evercool Transformer 3
http://www.evercool.com.tw/categories/global/cooler/cpucooler/intel/1366/hpm_12025/transformer3.html

- Gelid Tranquillo Rev. 2
http://www.gelidsolutions.com/products/index.php?lid=2&cid=12&id=64

- GlacialTech Igloo H46
http://www.glacialtech.com/products/H46Series.htm

- Masscool 7WA868
http://www.masscool.com/product_detail.php?pid=184&id=199

- NZXT Respire T20
http://www.nzxt.com/product/detail/84-respire-t20-cpu-cooler

- RAIJINTEK AIDOS
http://www.raijintek.com/en/products_detail.php?ProductID=2

- RAIJINTEK THEMIS
http://www.raijintek.com/en/products_detail.php?ProductID=3

- RAIJINTEK ZELOS
http://www.raijintek.com/en/products_detail.php?ProductID=8

- Rosewill ROCC-12001 AIOLOS
http://www.rosewill.com/products/2356/ProductDetail_Overview.htm

- Scythe Shuriken Rev. B 3
http://www.scythe-eu.com/en/products/cpu-cooler/shuriken-rev-b.html

- SilenX EFZ-120HA5
http://www.silenx.com/cpu.coolers.asp?sku=efz-120ha5

- SilverStone AR01
http://silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=420&area=en

- Thermaltake NiC L31
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002246

- Xigmatek Prime SD1484
http://www.xigmatek.com/product.php?productid=133

- Zalman CNPS10X OPTIMA
http://zalman.com/global/product/Product_Read.php?Idx=461

- ZEROtherm FZ120 ZEN

(Can be found on Amazon.com)

Subject to change. Let me know if something interesting is missing here and I'll add it. Pcpartpicker links to the U.S. site, so check your local retailers.

For MONSTER cooling, see here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2181775/cpu-coolers-overclocking-core-cpu.html

And here is the handy drop-in FAQ for those tired of typing the same answer over and over:
 

Demosthenest

Admirable
Which one is the best in your opinion, damric? It's true there's a huge hype about the 212 evo, but it is well placed imo. I have it and it's great. Only complaint is it's a bit noisy. I'm probably going to get a noctua fan for it. It would sacrifice the temps a bit, but should be solved with some arctic thermal paste.
 


Which cooler is best? The one that can cool your CPU, fits on your motherboard, doesn't blow your ears off, looks cool, and doesn't hurt your wallet. So that would depend on taste, and your specific rig, really.

I've had some 212s. They are excellent. The 5200MHz validation in my signature is with a 212+.

Being that Cooler Master is an ODM, I wonder how many of the above HSFs were made by CM.

http://odm.coolermaster.com/
 

Demosthenest

Admirable
Good response, you are right.
Damric, would my idea of the noctua fans work? My system is a bit noisy since I got my new r9 290, which heats up the air in all the case, makes more noise than my old gtx 660. I wouldn't mind a couple less cpu degrees. Would the silver arctic thermal paste help with that? I've heard some great things about them, 5 degrees difference from other pastes.
Thank you for your assistance.
 


I never knew that! So it is better than the EVO?
 

KoopaCreeper

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Dec 22, 2014
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At the same price it is. It has a more efficient stock fan, which supposedly is quieter (I've never owned the 212 EVO), but the heatsink designs are very similar, making the Enermax better for the price. My 4.4GHz i5 idles at 28 Celcius and under load is at 55-65, benchmarking can briefly bring it up to 70s, but not for long.
 


I don't think paste is going to solve your problem. You said it yourself, you need better case airflow. Save up for a better case or more case fans.



Thanks. Adding it now.
 

spladam

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Nov 23, 2011
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I'm always wary of coolers that don't have copper heat pipes, or don't have copper cores on the cooling block.
 

mdocod

Distinguished
For high TDP 32nm chips like the current FX series and nahalem era stuff, it's hard to beat the Arctic A30/i30 series. The 4X8mm heatpipes can move ~220W before running into temp problems on Vishera. Better than 212 EVO at ~200W, usually ~$35.
 


The igloo looks very similar to a 212+.

51cU5ZEqXUL.jpg




Thank you sir. Adding now.
 


They are copper heat pipes just nickel plated on the non contact parts, also its slightly shorter than the 212s if space is cutting it fine.

I wonder if cooler master are loosing much money from this thread.
 

spladam

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Nov 23, 2011
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Hahaha, that gave me a good laugh. It's good to see some alternatives to that 212+ out now, especially with shorter install size. That ~220W displacement is impressive, and the nickel plating is a nice touch, thanks for the info guys.

Question is, is there one for AMD that does not need a bracket on the back of the Mainboard, I think my case does not give me access to that without taking out the board, I have to check.

 

mdocod

Distinguished
The CM T4 uses the stock AMD mounting system (spring clip). Performance is similar to 90mm coolers and it will only mount 1 way.

That said.. if you're really smart and careful.. almost any cooler that uses the AMD backplate can technically be installed without access to the rear of the board. You just need to carefully swap over the hardware one screw at a time so as not to "drop" the backplate.

This would be possible with the A30 if you were careful.
 

spladam

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Nov 23, 2011
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Clever, thanks for the tip.

 

mlga91

Admirable
Great list, is always good to have more options for budget cooling. There are some links that are broken, like the hyper T4 and the Raijin Themis, and some benchmark links can be a nice add to the post too.
 


Looks like they sold out so I'll have to change the links.
 

mdocod

Distinguished
SilverStone AR01 with 3X8mm heatpipes is another strong performer in high TDP applications compared to the 212 EVO, usually in the same price class.

The Thermaltake NiC L31 looks nicely refined as well, another 3x8mm design but with a less cumbersome profile than many 120mm heatpipe units.
 


Added.

Updated: Removed pcpartpicker links since they were causing problems for various world regions.

To do: alphabetize. pictures. other suggestions welcome.

It really seems like a lot of the older mid-range coolers are discontinued now, unfortunately.
 
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