CPU Coolers 2015: I want the best of the best

[BlueBoat]

So...

I am getting (my first) pc and I need help with cpu coolers. Which do I buy?

I am looking at the H110I GT and H100i GTX from corsair since I trust them VERY much. But I am willing to open to new ideas and I have considers looking at Noctua. They seem trustworthy.
Trustworthy Very <---

i7 4970K, Z97

 

[TechyInAZ]

Corsair makes very reliable parts, but that doesn't make them the best. (I'm also a Corsair fan.)

I've come to like NZXT's AIOs since theirs has variable speed pumps. Something I've always wanted in a corsair AIO.

Nocula has great air coolers, so if your looking for air cooling go with them.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Those charts should tell ya what's the best of the best ... The H100i, Kraken and even the 360mm Thermaltake Water fall hard

1. H220-X can be expanded to include MoBo, RAM and GPU water blocks, 100i / Kraken can't
2. H220-X is 1/6th as loud as H100i, 1/3 as loud as Kraken
3. H220-X is all copper / brass, H100i and Kraken use aluminum rads
4. H220-X has no mixed metals, H100i and Kraken mix copper and aluminum which promotes galvanic corrosion
5. H220-X's parts can be replaced, H100i and Kraken have to be tossed is part fails.

http://www.hitechlegion.com/reviews/cooling/liquid/40870-swiftech-h220-x-open-loop-240mm-cpu-cooler-review?showall=&start=3

In terms of performance, well….we could simply leave it at the fact that the H220X is simply the best performing out-of-the-box cooler you can buy today. Period. It slightly betters its predecessor, the H220, as well as the Glacer 240L that is equipped with far more powerful and louder fans. The NZXT X60/61 comes close in terms of performance, but at the expense of far more noise and far less compatibility. 240mm CLCs can’t touch the H220X in all out performance, and at tolerable noise levels the H220X flat out embarrasses them. The Cryorig R1 and Noctua NH-D15 come closest in matching the H220X in terms of performance and noise, but fall short. What more can you say? We put the best out of the box solutions up against the H220X, and the H220X walked away a clear winner and did so with absolutely astonishing performance to noise. With all of this performance the H220X never topped 40 dB at full speed.

......The result of this redesign makes the H220X the best performing cooler that is install ready right out of the box. There is not a 240mm CLC or air cooler that can beat it, and it does it at 20+ dB quieter than the competing CLCs. To sum it up; the H220X offers better performance, lower noise, better aesthetics, flawless design and build, better components and the option of expandability when compared to a CLC. Putting it gently, choosing any CLC over the H220X would be doing yourself a huge disservice. If you are looking to step into liquid cooling, or looking to start a small loop, the H220X is the obvious choice and comes with our highest recommendation and Hi Tech Legion Editor’s Choice Award.

And the H240-X is even better for just $10 more

http://www.hitechlegion.com/reviews/cooling/liquid/42047-swiftech-h240-x-open-loop-280mm-cpu-cooler-review?showall=&start=3

http://www.swiftech.com/

If the Kraken, Swiftechs, Thermaltake outta ya price range, the DH-15 is hard to say no to at $90 ... same with the Phanteks PH-TC14PE at $60