Entry Level Silent CPU Cooler

[shrikster]

Hey guys, following is my configuration

Processor : AMD Fx 8350
Motherboard : Asus M5A97 EVO R2.0 [BIOS 2005]
RAM : CV CMZ8GX3M2A1866C9R [4GB x 2 @1866 Mhz stable at 1600]
GPU : Sapphire ATI/AMD R7 260x OC [2GB DDR5]
SMPS/PSU : Corsair VS550 [550 Watt]
HDD : Seagate Expansion 750 GB Hard Drive
Cabinet : Cooler Master K380 [Mid Tower]
Cooler Master 120 MM Silent fans 4 Fans, 3 IN 1 OUT

The stock heat sink of the CPU gets really noisy when I am playing games or using VM's.
I want to know if there is a budget CPU cooler which works silently, most people suggested me to get a Liquid Cooler, my budget permits Corsair Hydro H60, but i saw on many posts that it is not that good.
I would like to know is it worth upgrading to corsair Hydro H60 from the stock cooler? or buy something else?
My Cabinet is 8 inch wide.
Thank You.

 

[Adrian Ocampo]

You could just get an CM hyper 212 and change the fans with noctua nf f12 pwm. Its only the fan that is noisy.

 

[MauveCloud]

^ +1 the fans that come with sealed-loop coolers are often louder than the fans that come with air coolers like the hyper 212. From what I've read, the stock coolers for recent AMD cpus are notoriously loud. The fan that comes with the hyper 212 evo is pretty quiet, I'm not sure you'd even need to switch to a Noctua fan. I know from personal experience, the main reason I'm not currently using it in my rig is that it won't fit my case with the top fan installed.

Edit: I just looked at the case specs for the Cooler Master K380, and it lists 155mm as the max cpu cooler height, so you won't be able to fit the 159mm-tall hyper 212 evo. The Thermalright TRUE Spirit 120M is a possible alternative at 145mm high: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/thermalright-cpu-cooler-ts120m

 

[shrikster]

^ +1 the fans that come with sealed-loop coolers are often louder than the fans that come with air coolers like the hyper 212. From what I've read, the stock coolers for recent AMD cpus are notoriously loud. The fan that comes with the hyper 212 evo is pretty quiet, I'm not sure you'd even need to switch to a Noctua fan. I know from personal experience, the main reason I'm not currently using it in my rig is that it won't fit my case with the top fan installed.

Edit: I just looked at the case specs for the Cooler Master K380, and it lists 155mm as the max cpu cooler height, so you won't be able to fit the 159mm-tall hyper 212 evo. The Thermalright TRUE Spirit 120M is a possible alternative at 145mm high: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/thermalright-cpu-cooler-ts120m

If i use the corsair Hydro H60, is it possible for me to switch its own radiator fan with my cooler master silent 120 mm fan? I have one already with me anyway.
The important question is, will this 120 MM fan cool it down as required? and then will it be less noisy? From my experience, these case fans do make some noise (a silent humming noise) but its okay with me.
Not to mention, the side of the case is transparent, i have installed some LED's and it really looks attractive with those. Though, it wouldn't look that good with the cooler you mentioned above. That's why i am more concerned about liquid coolers rather than big heat sinks.
Thanks for the reply.

 

[Adrian Ocampo]

Yes, fans are meant to be swapable. It depends on the type of silent fan you have. If it is static pressure fan then it is good for dissipation.

 

[MauveCloud]

I had been using both the Cooler Master fans that came with my HAF XB EVO case and the fans that came with my H100i in a push-pull configuration (one of the Corsair fans as a "pull" on the side further from the tubes because its power cord wouldn't reach if I mounted it as a "push", the other as a "push" on the side closer to the tubes). I just switched to running only the Cooler Master fans in "push" configuration, it's a lot quieter now, and according to 10 passes of IBT at "Standard" stress level, my system is still stable.

Thus a Cooler Master silent fan will probably be fine with an H60 cooler, especially if you're not overclocking the cpu.

 

[shrikster]

Yes, fans are meant to be swapable. It depends on the type of silent fan you have. If it is static pressure fan then it is good for dissipation.

Thanks a lot, your answer helped a lot.

 

[Adrian Ocampo]

Yes, fans are meant to be swapable. It depends on the type of silent fan you have. If it is static pressure fan then it is good for dissipation.

Thanks a lot, your answer helped a lot.

Glad to help. Goodluck