i7-4790k Best Cooler?

[bennyd87708]

Hello there, I have recently bought an i7-4790k and thought the stock cooler would be fine as I did not think I would need to do any overclocking but as it turns out, the programs I am running are quite cpu intensive so I would like to overclock it. I am looking for the best/cheapest cooler I can use to get a stable 4.8GHz on it (the recommended clock for the application). I would like to spend as little as possible without giving up performance. I don't have a preference between air or liquid cooling, hit me with your best shot.

 

[Stay Connect]

water cooling for oc
air cooling for little bit oc
stck fan for stock clock

 

[JackNaylorPE]

4.8 Ghz is a strong OC .... less than 50% of 4790k's will make it. It's all about what voltage you are going to need to get that 4.8


Up to 1.200v = Very Good Air Cooler (Hyper 212) - $30
Up to 1.250v = Best Air Coolers (Phanteks PH-TC14-PE, Silver Arrow or Noctua DH14) ....... Dual 140mm CLC / AIO Cooler w/ 1500 rpm fans (Corsair H110) - $60 minimum
Up to 1.275v = Extreme Speed Dual Fan CLC / AIO w/ 2700 rpm fans (too noisy for most folks) - $100
Up to 1.287v = Best air coolers (Cryorig R1 / Noctua DH-15) - $90
Up to 1.300v = Swiftech AIOs ( Swifteh H220-X / H240-X) - $140-$150
Up to 1.325v = Custom Loop w/ 15C Delta T (3 x 120mm / 140mm) *
Up to 1.400 = Custom Loop w/ 10C Delta T (5 x 140mm or 6 x 120mm) *

* At this level having the GPU(s) also under water is assumed and cost is big

Also, if you are not running AVX, you can add as much as 0.10 to all those voltages.

The bit about "spending as little as possible without giving up performance" is not really possible.... more performance costs more money. You might, if ya get real lucky in the CPU lottery get to 4.8 Ghz on 1.25v.... that will get ya done with a Phanteks for $60..... most 4790k's are gonna be up at 1.3 volts or better


I'm at 1.38 volts at 4.6

 

[bennyd87708]

4.8 Ghz is a strong OC .... less than 50% of 4790k's will make it. It's all about what voltage you are going to need to get that 4.8


Up to 1.200v = Very Good Air Cooler (Hyper 212) - $30
Up to 1.250v = Best Air Coolers (Phanteks PH-TC14-PE, Silver Arrow or Noctua DH14) ....... Dual 140mm CLC / AIO Cooler w/ 1500 rpm fans (Corsair H110) - $60 minimum
Up to 1.275v = Extreme Speed Dual Fan CLC / AIO w/ 2700 rpm fans (too noisy for most folks) - $100
Up to 1.287v = Best air coolers (Cryorig R1 / Noctua DH-15) - $90
Up to 1.300v = Swiftech AIOs ( Swifteh H220-X / H240-X) - $140-$150
Up to 1.325v = Custom Loop w/ 15C Delta T (3 x 120mm / 140mm) *
Up to 1.400 = Custom Loop w/ 10C Delta T (5 x 140mm or 6 x 120mm) *

* At this level having the GPU(s) also under water is assumed and cost is big

Also, if you are not running AVX, you can add as much as 0.10 to all those voltages.

The bit about "spending as little as possible without giving up performance" is not really possible.... more performance costs more money. You might, if ya get real lucky in the CPU lottery get to 4.8 Ghz on 1.25v.... that will get ya done with a Phanteks for $60..... most 4790k's are gonna be up at 1.3 volts or better


I'm at 1.38 volts at 4.6

I neglected to mention that I borrowed my friend's watercooler, I believe is was a CoolerMaster Seidon 120V and managed to get a 4.6 GHz overclock at around 90 degrees celcius, does that say that I got lucky in the CPU lottery or no?

 

[SinxarKnights]

4.6 at 90c? Don't tell me you are using the latest prime95 to test that. That is an extremely high temp on water for such a modest OC.

 

[mrmike_49]

No, you got kind of unlucky: I'm running 4.6GHz at around 75C (Peaks maybe 80C) while playing DA3 maxed, Vcore ~1.30.
Although it's possible you put TOO much thermal paste on, a VERY common error. Cooler Master Hyper D62 (Air)

 

[bennyd87708]

I think I am going to end up buying a Phanteks PH-TC12DX_BL to go with my build, I appreciate the help! Wish me luck! I think I did put on too much thermal paste...