CPU Cooler for Mini-ITX Build

[staylorh]

I was wondering which CPU cooler would be best for my mini-itx build. I have this case:

Lian Li PC-Q17

I only have around 50mm of clearance between the motherboard and the top of my case. I have a 1080 that will barely fit in the case, so the airflow from the bottom will be quite limited. Because of that, I was considering a 120mm liquid cooler. For aesthetic purposes, I'm trying to avoid mounting a radiator on the top of my case and am trying to keep all cooling solutions contained within the case.

I previously bought a Corsair h90, as the case supports a 140mm radiator, however, the cooler and fan was a bit too big to fit in the case. I haven't been able to find any 140mm low profile fans with decent static pressure that have 140mm mounting options.

Due to the abundance of (at least compared to the 140mm fans) of 120mm low profile fans with high static pressure, I was considering the Corsair h55 or h60. I'm wondering if another liquid cooler or a decent air cooler would be better than either of these. My CPU is a 6700k, and I will probably do a slight overclock, nothing that requires voltage adjustment, as I realize my cooling won't be great. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Aeacus]

If the h90 didn't fit into your case, then the h55 or h60 won't fit either because the thickness of the radiator (27mm) and fan (25mm) is same on all 3 sets.

One solution would be using a h55/h60 120mm radiator with 120mm slim fan.
E.g. Gelid Solutions Slim 12 PL Blue (FN-FW12SlimBPL-16)
specs: http://www.gelidsolutions.com/products/index.php?lid=1&cid=2&id=84&tab=2

By measurements, this setup should fit in your case. Radiator 27mm + fan 15.8mm = 42.8mm.

 

[staylorh]

If the h90 didn't fit into your case, then the h55 or h60 won't fit either because the thickness of the radiator (27mm) and fan (25mm) is same on all 3 sets.

One solution would be using a h55/h60 120mm radiator with 120mm slim fan.
E.g. Gelid Solutions Slim 12 PL Blue (FN-FW12SlimBPL-16)
specs: http://www.gelidsolutions.com/products/index.php?lid=1&cid=2&id=84&tab=2

By measurements, this setup should fit in your case. Radiator 27mm + fan 15.8mm = 42.8mm.

That was the plan. Didn't know if there were better cooling solutions out there or ones I hadn't considered

 

[Aeacus]

Another consideration would be using air cooling.

One option with air would be using heatsink with side mounted fan.
E.g. Arctic Freezer 13.
specs: https://www.arctic.ac/eu_en/freezer-13.html
It's 130mm tall and will fit in your case, with max. cooling performance of 200W and recommended for TDP up to 140W.

Problem with side mounting is that fan doesn't have much room from where to take cooler air inside your small case.

Second option is using heatsink with top mounted fan.
E.g. Arctic Freezer 11 LP
specs: https://www.arctic.ac/eu_en/freezer-11-lp.html
It's small with max. cooling performance of 100W and recommended for TDP up to 95W.

Ideal for office work but for gaming, you'll be better off with water cooling.

 

[staylorh]

Another consideration would be using air cooling.

One option with air would be using heatsink with side mounted fan.
E.g. Arctic Freezer 13.
specs: https://www.arctic.ac/eu_en/freezer-13.html
It's 130mm tall and will fit in your case, with max. cooling performance of 200W and recommended for TDP up to 140W.

Problem with side mounting is that fan doesn't have much room from where to take cooler air inside your small case.

Second option is using heatsink with top mounted fan.
E.g. Arctic Freezer 11 LP
specs: https://www.arctic.ac/eu_en/freezer-11-lp.html
It's small with max. cooling performance of 100W and recommended for TDP up to 95W.

Ideal for office work but for gaming, you'll be better off with water cooling.

Gotcha. Since this is to be primarily a gaming rig, would the h60 with a slim fan be my best bet or there a better 120mm liquid cooler out there? Saw Silverstone had a slim CPU cooler, however, the results seemed mixed at best

 

[Aeacus]

How about Corsair H75?
specs: http://www.corsair.com/en/hydro-series-h75-liquid-cpu-cooler

Even though it has push-pull system, you can remove one fan and by dimensions, it would be perfect fit since both the radiator and fan are 25mm thick.

 

[staylorh]

How about Corsair H75?
specs: http://www.corsair.com/en/hydro-series-h75-liquid-cpu-cooler

Even though it has push-pull system, you can remove one fan and by dimensions, it would be perfect fit since both the radiator and fan are 25mm thick.

Thanks! I'll give it a shot. I'll post back once o have temps in case anyone else ever needs to know