Best CPU cooler to overclock 2500K to over 5.0GHz?

[Heinstar]

I'm currently building a Gaming Rig optimized for Starcraft 2. I'm going to use a single monitor in 1920x1080 resolution. Majority of the time, I will be playing Sc2, DotA 2 and HoN . I will also try out these games; LoL, Skyrim, Dragon Age II, GW 2, Tera, WoW and Diablo III.

This is what I'm planning to buy:

CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K $229
CPU HSF: CoolerMaster Hyper 212+ $33
Mobo: Asrock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 $145
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL (1600MHz 9-9-9-24-2N 1.5v) $65
HDD: Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB HD103SJ $59
GPU: MSI GeForce GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II OC 1GB $249
Case: Antec 300 $59
PSU: Antec Neo Eco 520W $69

I want to try and overclock 2500K to 4.7GHz ~ 5.3GHz. I know that how far you can overclock depends on 2 things:

1.) Good CPU cooler
2.) CPU capacity(Luck)

Is Hyper 212 Plus good enough to overclock over 4.5GHz or do I need a noctua nh-d14?

Note:
- I'm overclocking 2500K because Starcraft 2 is a VERY CPU intensive game and apparantly even the 2500K overclocked to 4.5GHz can't maintain minimum of 60FPS during the whole match in 1v1.

Thanks.

 

[cjtex]

But if temps are low and no lock ups, whats the problem? Cores are at 1.312V I believe, I'm not at home atm.

 

[Heinstar]

These CPU Cooler seems to be the popular ones right now. Considering the fact that how far I can overclock depends on luck, which CPU Cooler should I get to OC 2500K to its maximum potential?

• Thermalright HR-02 $59
• Thermalright Archon CPU Cooler $79
• Thermalright Silver Arrow $89
• Noctua NH-D14 $94
• XSPC Rasa 750 RX240 Universal CPU Water Cooling Kit $165
• Corsair Hydro Series H100 CPU Cooler $169

All prices comes from www.pccasegear.com

 

[Heinstar]

Ok thanks so it's Thermalright Silver Arrow it is Hopefully I can OC 2500K to ~4.7GHz or higher with this thing.

 

[rubix_1011]

XSPC Rasa 750 RX240 Universal CPU Water Cooling Kit $165 > Corsair Hydro Series H100 CPU Cooler $169

x2 when comparing price/performance of both of these listed. Rasa RS240 kits can be had for around $130, if you want to go cheaper.

 

[cbrunnem]

saying that the 212+ cant cool a cpu above 4.5 is bull. my 2600k was stable under load at 4.6 and max temps at about 71*. granted it wasnt stable at idle due to mobo issues but still.

 

[Heinstar]

Best answer selected by Heinstar.

 

[fcomstoc]

I currently have a 2500k and it is cooled by a CM Hyper 212 EVO, I have had it running (stable) at 5.0GHZ for a couple hours while running benchmarks with no problems. The temps were in the high 80s C but this cpu is fine up to the low 90s C.

 

[cbrunnem]

I currently have a 2500k and it is cooled by a CM Hyper 212 EVO, I have had it running (stable) at 5.0GHZ for a couple hours while running benchmarks with no problems. The temps were in the high 80s C but this cpu is fine up to the low 90s C.

you keep telling yourself that then come back in two years and tell us how many i5's youve gone through.

 

[amuffin]

4ryan6's thread: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/267412-29-alternate-water-cooling-solution-ambient-capable What you are looking to do.

 

[Ghythybhy]

S> Refrigerator w/Freezer Case u jelly? >

 

[smittyboi]

I personally have gotten my 2500k to 5.044Ghz but I saw no difference between that and my 4.5Ghz. I am using an h100 which I would say is a good cooler but as many people said it is hard to get a CPU to 5.0Ghz cause it is not only the ratio that you have to increase... if you got an i5 that could handle a 50 multiplier go to a casino and use the horse shoe that is up your ass. When I got 5.0Ghz I was at 48 x 105.1 so yes the motherboard will be a very good investment with the processor because of how rare a 50 multiplier is. But going with the topic of the thread with my h100 the Max heat I got at 5.0 was 78C and the processor would sometimes jump to unsafe voltages. This was with Asus auto tuner I have not yet tried it myself. So whatever cooler you choose or chose good luck getting 5.0 but you will burn out your CPU faster without actually seeing a difference from a lower clock speed.

 

[cbrunnem]

I personally have gotten my 2500k to 5.044Ghz but I saw no difference between that and my 4.5Ghz. I am using an h100 which I would say is a good cooler but as many people said it is hard to get a CPU to 5.0Ghz cause it is not only the ratio that you have to increase... if you got an i5 that could handle a 50 multiplier go to a casino and use the horse shoe that is up your ass. When I got 5.0Ghz I was at 48 x 105.1 so yes the motherboard will be a very good investment with the processor because of how rare a 50 multiplier is. But going with the topic of the thread with my h100 the Max heat I got at 5.0 was 78C and the processor would sometimes jump to unsafe voltages. This was with Asus auto tuner I have not yet tried it myself. So whatever cooler you choose or chose good luck getting 5.0 but you will burn out your CPU faster without actually seeing a difference from a lower clock speed.

my cpu can handle a 50 multiplier and i dont have a horse shoe up my ass... should i still go to the casino though???

 

[amuffin]

Well it depends on what apps you use. There is a difference between 4.5 and 5. An extra 500mhz boost in 3d apps means faster rendering!

 

[rubix_1011]

S> Refrigerator w/Freezer Case u jelly? >

I hope this is a joke because a refrigerator or freezer isn't a viable cooling option. Please do not suggest this urban legend cooling idea as a legitimate cooling method.

Does this thread need to be closed, since a best answer was chosen?

 

[hellfire24]

^yeah i think so!this should be closed!

 

[aqe040466]

FPS will be limited by your GPU more so than the 2500K overclocked.

Overclocking the 2500K to 4.7ghz ~ 5.3ghz, > 5.3ghz? Really? That's some high expectations!

There are various ways to overclock the 2500K, the different overclock routes take you into different heat ranges, 5.3ghz 100% stable is not even possible with an air cooler overclocking all 4 cores unless you live in the Artic with your computer sitting outside your window.

The voltage it would take to run 5.3ghz is past Intel's tested specs, so how much heat do you think it will generate.

I think first off you need to decide the route you'll be using to overclock the 2500K, and if you don't know there are various routes to overclock the 2500K, you need to do some serious research in that area first.

I got i5 2500K and overclocked it at 4.7 GHZ 1.35 V Vcore only using CM 212 Hyper Plus cooler with a Biostar TZ68A+RCH MB. Stable and blazing fast.

 

[4Ryan6]

saying that the 212+ cant cool a cpu above 4.5 is bull. my 2600k was stable under load at 4.6 and max temps at about 71*. granted it wasnt stable at idle due to mobo issues but still.

Keep in mind that the only way that statement is 100% true is if all 2600Ks overclocked exactly the same as yours, with exactly the same motherboard assuming they all overclocked the same, case, fans, airflow, ambient room temperature, heat sink seating, thermal compound application, etc. were exactly the same as your setup to get the same results, just the simple fact that no 2600K overclocks exactly the same makes your statement null and void and the OP chose it as the Best Answer?

Do you even think it's the Best Answer yourself?

 

[4Ryan6]

I got i5 2500K and overclocked it at 4.7 GHZ 1.35 V Vcore only using CM 212 Hyper Plus cooler with a Biostar TZ68A+RCH MB. Stable and blazing fast.

There are various ways to overclock the 2500K, the different overclock routes take you into different heat ranges

 

[4Ryan6]

I'm currently building a Gaming Rig optimized for Starcraft 2. I'm going to use a single monitor in 1920x1080 resolution. Majority of the time, I will be playing Sc2, DotA 2 and HoN . I will also try out these games; LoL, Skyrim, Dragon Age II, GW 2, Tera, WoW and Diablo III.

This is what I'm planning to buy:

CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K $229
CPU HSF: CoolerMaster Hyper 212+ $33
Mobo: Asrock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 $145
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL (1600MHz 9-9-9-24-2N 1.5v) $65
HDD: Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB HD103SJ $59
GPU: MSI GeForce GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II OC 1GB $249
Case: Antec 300 $59
PSU: Antec Neo Eco 520W $69

I want to try and overclock 2500K to 4.7GHz ~ 5.3GHz. I know that how far you can overclock depends on 2 things:

1.) Good CPU cooler
2.) CPU capacity(Luck)

Is Hyper 212 Plus good enough to overclock over 4.5GHz or do I need a noctua nh-d14?

Note:
- I'm overclocking 2500K because Starcraft 2 is a VERY CPU intensive game and apparantly even the 2500K overclocked to 4.5GHz can't maintain minimum of 60FPS during the whole match in 1v1.

Thanks.

Regarding your intital thread title "Best CPU cooler to overclock 2500K to over 5.0GHz?"

Just that title drew a lot of curiosity, from those that knew exactly what you were asking was a lofty goal, and those that wanted to learn if it was possible themselves, it's amazing how many experts we have here today that don't fully even understand the various routes to overclocking the 2500K in the first place.

Is 5.0ghz rock solid 24/7 possible to achieve with a 2500K, well if all 2500Ks overclocked exactly the same we could all answer absolutely Yes, however all 2500Ks do not overclock exactly the same, neither do motherboards and neither do the exact same brand heat sinks, some are just better overclockers than others.

However if your 2500K is overclockable to 5.0ghz you won't do it air cooling with a Cooler Master hyper 212+, I couldn't do it with mine, and you're not going to do it with yours, if you have one.

Since this thread has gone the route it has I'm closing it!

Any complaints my PM door is open! 4ryan6