Do I need a CPU cooler if I already have 4 case fans in my case?

[jakeagha]

Hi,
I am thinking of upgrading my CPU from an AMD 8320 to an Intel i7 6700. I already have 4 case fans in my case. Would I need to buy a CPU cooler to run alongside my 4 case fans or would my 4 existing fans manage the load OK?

I thank you in advance for helping me!

Thanks
Jake

 

[maxwellmelon]

yes you have to have a cpu cooler. no if ands or butts. you cpu will not work very well without it.

you don't have to have four case fans though, but that's just personal choice.

 

[DSzymborski]

If you run your CPU without any cooler, even 40 fans wouldn't keep you CPU from burning up. Case fans can't remove that amount of heat by themselves without the heat sink.

 

[jakeagha]

If you run your CPU without any cooler, even 40 fans wouldn't keep you CPU from burning up. Case fans can't remove that amount of heat by themselves without the heat sink.

OK. I currently have a AMD FX 8320 and I have had no problem with the CPU overheating. Do you think that if I upgraded to the i7 6700 that it would be different? I am not buying the 6700K so I am not overclocking.

 

[azaran]

Since you're not getting the K version your CPU will come with a heatsink/cooler.

However stock, while better than in the past, is still going to under perform compared to most aftermarket coolers and is typically a lot nosier as well.

 

[rhysiam]

It's a 65W Processor... not difficult to dissipate 65W at all, even for a stock cooler. I've put together a few Skylake builds for basic office machines now and honestly, the stock cooler is fine. Temps are not a problem at all. If you're targetting a super-quiet machine then absolutely there is merit in an air cooler, but the stock cooler is really not that bad for a general build, and if you have 4 fans already, it's probably not adding much to the noise of the build.
It does have a bit of an annoying whine, as in the pitch of the fan is more annoying (IMHO) than most fans, but it really is pretty quiet.

Just start out with the stock cooler and see how you go. I'm 90% confident it won't bother you at all. But if you find it's annoying, you can just add a cheap air cooler later. Particularly if your case has a cutout to mount a cooler, it's not really any more difficult to add it later.