cheap low profile cpu cooler from ebay

[Beleg_Jr]

Hi,

I'm wondering if this cheap low profile cpu cooler from eaby will be any good...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Intelligent-under-pressure-CPU-heat-sink-775-115x-amd-4-copper-tube-silent/132482035717?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I'm not planning on OC, it's going to be used with an old i7-870 in an htpc. I just want something cheap that beats the slim stock intel cooler, if I had the thick intel cooler I think I'd be happy with that!

Regards
Beleg

 

[Aeacus]

That no-name CPU cooler looks iffy since all product images are PC generated and not out of the actual product. Also, there are no dimensions given and without those, there's no telling if it even fits.

For your LGA1156 CPU, you'd be better off by going with Reeven RC-1001 Brontes (59mm tall),
newegg: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=1DR-003S-00006
review: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mini-itx-cpu-air-cooler-round-up,4406-3.html
test results: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mini-itx-cpu-air-cooler-round-up,4406-6.html

 

[diellur]

If you're using an i7 in an HTPC, you can undervolt it to run slower and hence cooler. Should help with keeping noise down.

 

[Beleg_Jr]

I benched the cpu without the case closed with the stock cooler, it reaced just under 80 celsius. I just want some more circulation, I'll look into the Reeven Brontes, but I took a gamble on the ebay cooler for now. Import & tax is a bitch!
I can post a review once I've testet the cooler, I think the cooler itself is ok, it's just the fan I'm curious about with this one...

edit: I also used some cheap paste just to get post and install OS, not that I think the temps would've been that different with the stock cooler

 

[diellur]

The main issue with an HTPC is case flow, as you've discovered! If you want good cooling, then consider an AIO. You can mount the rad and then pull air from outside over it, which would improve CPU cooling.

 

[Beleg_Jr]

I think I'll manage good airflow, I had an aio laying around. But the rad had some "strange" thingies on the sides unabling me from using it in my case.
I got a blowerfan gpu, so it will "just be" the cpu generating heat, I've got sufficient airflow through the case... I just discovered that the stock intel cooler that was used with the previous i3-somethingsomething was not designed for the i7 😛
I had a larger stock intel cooler, but that was lga 775 🙁 That cooler managed good temps in that case even when the q9550 was OC'd 😉

edit: yes I'm talking about two different motherboards used in that case

 

[Beleg_Jr]

That cheap ebay cooler! WOW, just wow!! for that price... it did wonders 😛

The first one I got I put in an old eMachines EL1352, the x4 945 went down about 20degrees and is now a silent htpc vs the stock cooler that would make it sound like it was ready for takeoff xD

So I'm giving the nobranded low profile cpu cooler a thumbs up so far 😉