Help: Looking for a cooler for my i7-6800k

[jomsjoms]

Hi,

I am a noob in overclocking. I want to mildly overclock my i7-6800k to at most 4Ghz. (Maybe between 3.8-4.0Ghz). My priority is stability then next is speed.

I've read that you cannot just get any cooler for a CPU as it might hit the RAM modules during install or it won't fit your case due to the cooler size. I don't really know what cooler to get then which would fit in my case and not hit my RAM. I do prefer air cooler since I've never handled water cooling and it seems complicated but if water is really much better than air then I guess I can take a look at it.

My gear:
CPU - Intel i7-6800K Broadwell-E
RAM - 32GB Gskill Ripjaws 4 F4-2666C 15Q-32GRR (red) - 8GBx4pcs
Vcard - Asus Geforce 960 (soon to be 1070)
Mboard - Asus X99 Deluxe USB 3.1
Power Supply - Corsair AX 860i Power Supply
Case - Corsair Case 600T Mid-Tower Case (Max CPU Cooler Height - 170mm)

I have an open budget but if possible, I want something below $150.

By the way, I will mainly use this for Photoshop/Lightroom/Premiere/After Effects. Gaming will only be minimal at roughly 5% of the time (only starcraft2 and DOTA)

Please suggest me a solid cooler and not the cheap ones since I want this rig to be reliable for years to come.

Thank you in advance for the help.

 

[leo2kp]

A decent water cooler will be well within your budget, is easy to install, will not interfere with your memory modules, and will outperform any air cooler with less noise. I personally prefer the NZXT Kraken X61 but it's a 280mm radiator and won't fit in all cases. Corsair also makes nice all-in-one coolers.

 

[Barty1884]

Depends whether you want air or liquid, and whether colour scheme is going to play into your decision.

Unfortunately the Kraken X61 won't fit in your case as leo2kp has stated. The Corsair H100i GTX (or H100i, or H100i v2) wil though. That's a liquid option:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($119.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $119.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-20 22:11 EDT-0400

As for air, one of the best is the Noctua NH-D15 - you can raise the front fan a little to clear almost any ram too:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($87.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $87.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-20 22:12 EDT-0400

The colour scheme of the Noctua is not for everyone though...

 

[Colethelion321]

water cooler like the corsair gtx h100i

 

[jomsjoms]

I don't really care for aesthetics so any color will do. Is liquid cooling really that much better than air? Also, what would happen if the liquid leaks? Will it automatically destroy all my gear and cause fire - short circuit? (this is my fear). What are the downside (cons) in using water cooling?

Thanks

 

[Barty1884]

If you have a fear of leaks, stick with air. The NH-D15 is one of the best air coolers. It's huge, but it competes pretty well with most of the 'high end' liquid options. You might get a few degrees lower with some truly 'top of the line' liquid coolers, but those few degrees come with (an albeit small) risk.

AIO liquid coolers, especially the high end ones are pretty durable and not expected to leak. That being said, if it does happen, there's nothing you can really do. Chances will be good your rig will be on (it's not likely to start leaking while off). If it;s on, there's electricity flowing, so there's always the potential of damage. Motherboard is the most likely 'target'. Your CPU/RAM/GPU would most likely be fine.

That's the only real 'downside' to an AIO liquid cooler. Unless you look more 'mid-range' or 'low tier', then another con is it can be bettered by some select air coolers, including the D15.

 

[jomsjoms]

I think that the D15 would do the job for my mild overclocking while making it safe from leaks. Only question now is, would it fit my case and will it hit my RAM? (Is my RAM standard size or is it large or tall?)

My RAM = Gskill Ripjaws 4 F4-2666C 15Q-32GRR (red) - 8GBx4pcs

Thanks so much for the help

 

[Barty1884]

I think that the D15 would do the job for my mild overclocking while making it safe from leaks. Only question now is, would it fit my case and will it hit my RAM? (Is my RAM standard size or is it large or tall?)

My RAM = Gskill Ripjaws 4 F4-2666C 15Q-32GRR (red) - 8GBx4pcs

Thanks so much for the help

The D15 would allow you a mild OC, up to a pretty heavy OC if you decide to go that route.

Ideally, you'd use low-profile RAM with it. The G.Skill Ripjaws is not (I have the cooler and RipjawsX RAM).
It'll fit in your case. The front fan, you can raise a little so it clears the RAM. Doesn't impact performance.

Not my pic, but shows what I'm talking about raising the front fan.

 

[jomsjoms]

Thanks for the pic. May I know what kind of RAM is shown in the pic? Is my RAM that high? I fear that if i raise the front fan too high, it might hit my case.

My case has a Max CPU Cooler Height = 170mm
Noctua D15 height (without fan) = 160mm
Noctua D15 height (with fan) = 165mm
Noctua D15 height (raised fan) = ?? mm

I hope the raised fan won't go beyond 170mm

Note: I tried measuring my RAM and it's about 39mm. You think it's too high?

 

[Barty1884]

Low profile ram (recommended for the D15) is generally 31-32mm, so you're 8-9mm taller, with 10mm to spare. It'll be tight, but it'll fit fine. A little snug when you put the side panel back on, but not 'too' tight

*edit* didn't explain too clearly. The fan sits a good few mm above low profile ram (probably a good 5mm), so between the 5mm it starts off above low profile ram and the 5mm extra height you have, you'll be fine. You likely only have to raise it 2mm or so. The fan can sit right on top of 'normal' height ram.

 

[jomsjoms]

Ok thanks man. You've been a big help!