cooler for i5 8600K ?

Fred Old

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I was thinking the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO, but I'm worried it won't be enough. First time Gaming build and this is the last component. I originally though of using NZXT Kraken X62, but people said it was overkill.

I have never done any overclocking before but with the 8600K I think I'll try a little OC.
I'd prefer an overkill cooler to one that only just cuts it.

Full build:
CPU: Intel i5-8600K
Motherboard: Asus Prime Z370-A
RAM: G.Skill Trident Z RGB DDR4 3200 PC4-25600 16GB 2x8GB CL16
GPU: Gigabyte GTX 1080 G1 Gaming 8GB GDDR5X
Storage: Crucial MX500 SSD 250GB SATA + Seagate BarraCuda 3.5" 2TB SATA3
PSU: EVGA Supernova G3 750W 80 Plus Gold Modular
Case: NZXT H500i USB 3.1 Black
CPU Cooler: ?????
 
Solution
I honestly can't tell you. At the end of the day, it comes down to the question of how much more you'd be getting out of investing in better cooling. Sorry if I missed this, but what resolution/refresh rate will you be gaming at? The benefits of OC'ing are most strongly felt in high refresh-rate scenarios, but in certain cases, you might actually be GPU-bound.

Here's my breakdown of it:

If you want a very reliable/affordable Air Cooler that can handle a moderate/reasonable OC to the 8600k, then go for the Phanteks unit.

If you want a sleek, powerful-looking cooler that will enable you to push your CPU to its limits, grab the h100i. I would avoid the X62, it's simply not of good value.
The 212 will sustain a very minor overclock. If you want to push the 8600k to its limits, I would look towards something like the NH-D15S from Noctua, or possibly the Dark Rock Pro 4 from Be Quiet! Both are less expensive than the X62 and deliver high-tier cooling.
 

Fred Old

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And if neither of those were available do you have any other suggestion? I can't get any cryorig either.
 
Do you have a link as to where you need to buy?

Hyper212 is a popular cooler that does a decent job.
It is not very easy to mount.
In that same budget class, I like the scythe kotetsu which is also a 120mm cooler that does a better job than the hyper212.
Here is a review:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1391-page1.html

Look at the last page which includes other 120mm coolers for comparison.

How high you can oc a I5-8600K will be determined by your luck in getting a good chip.
If your expectations are modest, say to 4.5, then a 120mm tower type air cooler should do the job.
 

Fred Old

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Needs to be bought from here https://www.pccomponentes.com/ventiladores
 

zebarjadi.raouf

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Fred Old

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Fred Old

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Annoyingly it seems to be region blocked. Otherwise use the list i posted, those seems to be the main air coolers on the site.
 
Okay, it's not just the cooling potential but also the NOISE to cool, and factoring in ambient room temp (is it HOT there at times?).

The MINIMUM I recommend is the Noctua NH-U12S or NH-U14S

I know the Noctua NH-D15S can handle a 5GHz i7-8700K but that cooler isn't listed.

The NH-D15 is listed but price aside it's also LARGE so you have to be carefully with DDR3/4 memory sizes (and possibly the top PCIe slot).

*I do NOT recommend the CM Hyper 212 EVO or similar since it's going to be a bit too loud in heavy use.
 


I like either of the Phanteks coolers, the tcp14pe will be the best
Noctua is top quality, but the 92mm fan is not that effective.
 

Fred Old

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OK thank you so much everyone! I guess I'll go with the Phanteks TC14PE. Do you think it'll fit with the RAM, and if it does, will it cover it completely. As the RAM is RGB, and it would be a shame for it to be completely covered.
 
You need to run a VPN to access it. Had that issue earlier Geo. This SHOULD be compatible with your current build, and still bring great performance. https://www.pccomponentes.com/noctua-nh-d14, though I would DEFINITELY double-check the RAM clearance. I wouldn't worry too much about this unit https://www.pccomponentes.com/phanteks-tc14pe-cpu-cooler-blancos since you can move the fan, just not sure about the Noctua one.
 

Fred Old

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OK. Neither NH-D14 or NH-U12S are in stock or scheduled to be, so I'm sticking with the Phanteks one. And I think I'm going to go with 2x 140mm fans on front since the case allows it, and it comes with 1 120mm on top and another rear.

With the TC14PE will I be OK to do moderate overclocking?
 


I looked it up and it actually sounds like a good value. I'd not heard of it before but what it makes up for in price/value it loses in pure size:
https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Phanteks/PH-TC14PE/7.html

As for DDR4 memory height clearance I'm not clear if you PURCHASE them already but you do have some flexibility depending on the CASE cooler clearance singe the fan can be moved up a little bit.

*The MAXIMUM DDR4 height is 40mm (should be 39mm or less) unless you move the fan, but if you do so then the CASE must support this.
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1291-page3.html

The same article says they measured 161.5mm in cooler heatsink height (doesn't match the specs) so if your memory is 45mm then your fan must be raised another 5mm.

It's a hassle to figure this out so look at your RAM height and CASE CPU Cooler max height to estimate.

UPDATE:
I think the 167mm reported is the default fan position so add 5mm to make the case requirement 172mm if your DDR4 memory is 45mm... conversely if you had 34mm memory the fans can be LOWERED by almost 6mm making total height for case clearance only 162mm.
 


Unfortunately, the specs say it needs 171mm with the fans and your case supports only 165mm.

Since you listed two Phanteks coolers, is the tc14s available to you?
It has a nice dual tower design and a large fan that should not impact your ram. It is 160mm tall.
http://www.phanteks.com/PH-TC14S.html
Here is an AnandTech review of some slim 140mm coolers, perhaps one of the others is available to you.
https://www.anandtech.com/show/11407/140-mm-slim-tower-cpu-cooler-roundup
 


165mm. right.
Unfortunately the TC14S is not listed at his link.

I'm back looking to what is available. NOCTUA doesn't work unfortunately as the color is no good.