Do I need a CPU cooler?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Vixe

Vixe

Distinguished
Dec 21, 2008
109
0
18,680
I am building my own PC and I'm wondering wether I'll need a CPU cooler. I plan on getting the CoolerMaster HAF932 case and I hear that it cools really well by itself. Will I need a cooler, or won't it reach dangerous temperatures? If I get a cooler I might get the CoolerMaster V8 or something... any suggestions? Tell me what you think
 
Yes you need a CPU cooler. If you're buying a retail CPU package you'll get the stock CPU cooler included in the package. Thats fine if you don't plan to do any overclocking of the CPU.
Overclocking? You'll want an aftermarket CPU cooler in that case.
 
^^ Agreed

If no OCing then u dont need other than the stock (as requested by hachkc below 😛)

But if u are OCing then grab that Zerotherm...i might even jump on that for some of my builds.
 
I guess I might overclocking soon so it will be a good idea to get one. What temp will I reach if I overclocked without a fan, would you say?
 


FYP

I assume that's what you meant. I believe all modern cpus just about require a a cooler.
 


Make sure to do some research regarding some of the larger coolers referenced here as to whether they'll fit in your case or motherboard. I have the S1283 and its a taller cooler so you'd probably need a decent size case. For a mid tower, you might have problems with cases less then 7.5" wide. Also, you need to be aware of how the clearance of the cooler for memory, northbridge and possibly power connections. My S1283 and GA-P35-DS3R works but its a tight fit and not something I checked on originally.
 
CoolerMaster HAF932 is a HUGE case and even with the big side fan any of the large CPU coolers should fit OK.

If you mention what CPU and motherboard you're choosing you might get an idea if they fit together with the major CPU coolers.
 
If you have room, the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 is an awesome cooler. It is pretty dang big though. I had to remove my 25CM case fan from my Thermaltake Armor to allow it to fit.

But yes, you DEFINITELY need some kind of CPU cooler. Case fans alone won't keep your chip cool.

EDIT: Oh, if you get a Xigmatek S1283, get the bolt through kit for it. It has to be purchased separately.
 
I'm getting the E8500/E8400 (still deciding ... such a small price dif I might as well get E8500). Board: ASUS P5QL-E. Feel free to criticize it. I'm still reading up about coolers so i might change my board in order to suit the CPU cooler.

My eyes are still pretty much set on the CoolerMaster V8. I hear it is very quiet based on how well it cools. But ... my options are still open
 
Well for cheap grab that Zen..its very good

Other good choices are the Xigmatek S1283 or Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer.

For the price difference u might as well get the 8500
 
Evaluate your case before even thinking about an expensive cooler. Cooler isn't going to do **** unless you have proper airflow.
Click to expand...
Didnt we already clarify that this is going into the beast known as the CM Haf932???? :heink:

please at least read the OP's post...
 


Why would we do something silly like read the posts, just look at the title and insert BS.
 
^wiser words have not been spoken

Price is always an issue, sadly. I'll read some reviews so that I can find a good value cooler. My main focus is a quiet cooler. With that in mind, which would you suggest?
 


I use the E8500 with my S1283 and it works great. Based on your mb, it looks like the the S1283 would fit fine.

From frostytech review.
The Xigmatek HDT-S1283 heatsink stands 160mm tall, the fin is 35mm above the CPU socket for clearance of adjacent capacitors, northbridge heatsinks, etc.
Click to expand...

good luck with whatever one you choose. I recommend using a retention bracket versus the push pin option for the taller/heavier coolers like the S1283. For the S1283, this was a separate purchase for like $9.
 
The HDT-S1283 is pretty quiet. I hear my video card card at its default speeds (which are to slow) and 120mm case fans over the 120mm Xiggy fan. I can't tell the difference between 60% and 100% audibly.

Tom's Hardware actually gave it a best of rating. It's been reviewed elsewhere too, should have an easy time finding reviews on it.

If you get the Xiggy though, definitely get the bolt thru kit. I personally wouldn't trust the push pin shtuff.

My Q6600 @ 3.2Ghz (1.39V) idles near 31C ('CPU' after SpeedFan Calibration). Cores are 35-36C, with ambient temps being about 22-23C.
 
What about Zalman CNPS9700 LED? Good price, and reviews are really good. Inaudible at low speed, and runs at 20ºC over ambient (in low)!
 
Imo (and many others here....)

Its decent and definitely has "bling" but its too expensive for what u get.
Other alternatives like the Xigy, Sunbeam and Zerotherm are better and cheaper
 
When I read the OP's thread title, I was reminded of the old Tom's Hardware video of an egg frying on an Athlon XP with the heat sink removed. Tom's investigations then convinced me that a P4 Williamette would be a better upgrade from a K62-450 so I could play Morrowind.

Yes, you always need a CPU cooler, though stock ones do well enough if you don't overclock. Just make sure it's attached right. Intel stock coolers are a bit trickier than AMD's.

The last time I bought a CPU that didn't need a cooler, it was soldered to the motherboard and ran Star Control II well enough. The 386SX-40 from AMD had it's charms!
 
Silverion, to explain why I'm not considering your 'alternatives' is simply because I can't buy them. I live in South Africa, and apart from the expensive internet and massive latency when playing games, we don't really have that many options when it comes to buying hardware. For example, the GTX 280 costs R9000 ($900) here. Building a computer in South Africa will cost about 60% more than what it would cost to build it in America. Something as simple as a CPU cooler costs twice as much here than it does in America. And our options are limited when it comes to manufacturers. My main options are, when it comes to CPU coolers, Antec, Asus, CoolerMaster and Zalman.

After reading reviews I narrowed down my results to the CoolerMaster V8 and the Zalman CNPS9700LED. Those are basically the only ones I am willing to buy, because all of the other options are just fans. CM V8 costs R800 ($80) and Zalman costs R700 ($70). With my situation in mind, which out of those do you find preferable?
 


The old days.

My first home computers was a 286-16 with like a 20-40mb hdd. :lol:

I'm starting to tear up, gotta go.
 

O...rofl

Then yea, buy the best one u can...didnt kno u had that limitation
 
meh I'll go with the Zalman. i dont like the idea of having something as big as the V8 sticking out of my mobo.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom