i7 7700k Cooler recomendation??

[nuno.mn.alves]

I bouth a i7 7700k a while ago but at that time i didnt had enough money for a decent cooler, so now i have 100€ (im from Portugal) and i dont know what should i buy, either air or liquid.

 

[vapour]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler (€87.99 @ Aquatuning)
Total: €87.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-10-26 00:57 CEST+0200

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU Cooler: NZXT - Kraken X31 69.5 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler (€100.93 @ Mindfactory)
Total: €100.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-10-26 00:58 CEST+0200

 

[azaran]

What case and what RAM do you have? Both can limit what cooler will fit in your computer.

Air coolers are nice since there isn't a pump that can go out. But depending on the size they can be noisy and may not be as powerful as a water cooler. Big air coolers can get to the same level as some water coolers, but can have problems fitting in some cases or with some RAM. They also tend to cost less than water coolers (tho not always).

Water coolers can be great for low temps, depending on the cooler. Depending on the cooler they can fit in to small cases and cool better than an air cooler that can fit in the same space. However the fans/pumps can sometimes get loud (depends entirely on the model) and the pumps do have a chance of failure. Pump failure isn't something I'd say is common, but it is something to keep in mind.

The NH-D15 Vapour recommended is one I use. It's a great big air cooler and can beat out a lot of water cooled units and is very quiet. But because of it's size it can be hard to fit with some hardware.

Do you have any shops you use that we can price from? Different countries will have different access to some coolers.

 

[nuno.mn.alves]

What case and what RAM do you have? Both can limit what cooler will fit in your computer.

Air coolers are nice since there isn't a pump that can go out. But depending on the size they can be noisy and may not be as powerful as a water cooler. Big air coolers can get to the same level as some water coolers, but can have problems fitting in some cases or with some RAM. They also tend to cost less than water coolers (tho not always).

Water coolers can be great for low temps, depending on the cooler. Depending on the cooler they can fit in to small cases and cool better than an air cooler that can fit in the same space. However the fans/pumps can sometimes get loud (depends entirely on the model) and the pumps do have a chance of failure. Pump failure isn't something I'd say is common, but it is something to keep in mind.

The NH-D15 Vapour recommended is one I use. It's a great big air cooler and can beat out a lot of water cooled units and is very quiet. But because of it's size it can be hard to fit with some hardware.

Do you have any shops you use that we can price from? Different countries will have different access to some coolers.

Im not very interested in the NH-D15 beecause its a REALLY big cooler, too big in my opinion.
I have a Nox Hummer ZS case it can support a 240mm in the front and a 120mm in the back/top.
As for the RAM, im using dual channel crucial ballistix sport ddr4.

I had my eyes on the cooller master masterliquid 240, but i dont know if its any good or if theres a better choise.

Ps: i have a EVGA 600B PSU i think im safe in terms of Watts to add a AIO. (rx570 as a GPU)

 

[azaran]

Are you planning on overclocking your CPU?

 

[nuno.mn.alves]

Are you planning on overclocking your CPU?

eventually yes, thats why i wanna invest in a decent cooler while i can afford it

 

[azaran]

OK I found a listing for it I think.
Is this the case?
https://www.pcdiga.com/catalog/product/view/id/3260

If it is, you have a CPU clearance of 161mm. So any air cooler would need to have a total size under that limit. So the NH-D15 wouldn't work. The RAM you're using has a 30mm height so most coolers should be ok with that.

I'm using pcdiga.com as a reference since it at least gives me an idea of whats available in your area.
It looks like you can get a Cryorig H5 Universal in your country, provided it's in stock. It's 160mm so it should just fit, and it wouldn't have any issue with RAM clearance. You can OC on it to a moderate level and it's a very quiet fan. I've used it on a few builds and really like it. It should run you around 50€
https://www.pcdiga.com/cooler-cpu-cryorig-h5-universal

For a water AIO I'd recommend getting a 240mm system. With a 120mm system you might as well save some money and stick with a good air cooler like the H5 above.

The Cooler Master MasterLiquid 240 has some positive reviews and runs around 90€
https://www.pcdiga.com/wc-coolermaster-masterliquid-240

The Cryorig A40 has also gotten good reviews. it runs around 100€
https://www.pcdiga.com/cooler-cpu-cryorig-a40

I'm a big fan of the NZXT Kraken systems. If you can find it in your area and it's within budget, the X52 is supposed to be a great cooler.

 

[geofelt]

You have a 91w TDP processor. It will consume more with overclocking.
With 161mm available, I might suggest the noctua NH-D15s.
The new s variants have been redesigned to clear tall ram, and more importantly are offset to clear graphics cards in the first pcie x16 slot.
It is entirely suitable for overclocking and will likely run quieter than many AIO options.
Here is the noctua TDP guide:
http://noctua.at/en/tdp-guide
There are some other good air coolers if noctua is unabailable.

FWIW:
As of 6/9/17
What percent can get an overclock at a somewhat sane 1.4v Vcore.

I7-7700K
4.9 83%
5.0 62%
5.1 29%
5.2 6%

 

[nuno.mn.alves]

OK I found a listing for it I think.
Is this the case?
https://www.pcdiga.com/catalog/product/view/id/3260

If it is, you have a CPU clearance of 161mm. So any air cooler would need to have a total size under that limit. So the NH-D15 wouldn't work. The RAM you're using has a 30mm height so most coolers should be ok with that.

I'm using pcdiga.com as a reference since it at least gives me an idea of whats available in your area.
It looks like you can get a Cryorig H5 Universal in your country, provided it's in stock. It's 160mm so it should just fit, and it wouldn't have any issue with RAM clearance. You can OC on it to a moderate level and it's a very quiet fan. I've used it on a few builds and really like it. It should run you around 50€
https://www.pcdiga.com/cooler-cpu-cryorig-h5-universal

For a water AIO I'd recommend getting a 240mm system. With a 120mm system you might as well save some money and stick with a good air cooler like the H5 above.

The Cooler Master MasterLiquid 240 has some positive reviews and runs around 90€
https://www.pcdiga.com/wc-coolermaster-masterliquid-240

The Cryorig A40 has also gotten good reviews. it runs around 100€
https://www.pcdiga.com/cooler-cpu-cryorig-a40

I'm a big fan of the NZXT Kraken systems. If you can find it in your area and it's within budget, the X52 is supposed to be a great cooler.

Thank you for going the extra mile and search in my area, i may have some thinking to do in terms of what to pick, but if both of the coolers (AIO and Air) have more or less the same performance i think ill choose in terms of esthetics since im able to aford any of them.
My PSU should be a problem running everythign right?
Thank you once again

 

[azaran]

OK I found a listing for it I think.
Is this the case?
https://www.pcdiga.com/catalog/product/view/id/3260

If it is, you have a CPU clearance of 161mm. So any air cooler would need to have a total size under that limit. So the NH-D15 wouldn't work. The RAM you're using has a 30mm height so most coolers should be ok with that.

I'm using pcdiga.com as a reference since it at least gives me an idea of whats available in your area.
It looks like you can get a Cryorig H5 Universal in your country, provided it's in stock. It's 160mm so it should just fit, and it wouldn't have any issue with RAM clearance. You can OC on it to a moderate level and it's a very quiet fan. I've used it on a few builds and really like it. It should run you around 50€
https://www.pcdiga.com/cooler-cpu-cryorig-h5-universal

For a water AIO I'd recommend getting a 240mm system. With a 120mm system you might as well save some money and stick with a good air cooler like the H5 above.

The Cooler Master MasterLiquid 240 has some positive reviews and runs around 90€
https://www.pcdiga.com/wc-coolermaster-masterliquid-240

The Cryorig A40 has also gotten good reviews. it runs around 100€
https://www.pcdiga.com/cooler-cpu-cryorig-a40

I'm a big fan of the NZXT Kraken systems. If you can find it in your area and it's within budget, the X52 is supposed to be a great cooler.

Thank you for going the extra mile and search in my area, i may have some thinking to do in terms of what to pick, but if both of the coolers (AIO and Air) have more or less the same performance i think ill choose in terms of esthetics since im able to aford any of them.
My PSU should be a problem running everythign right?
Thank you once again

Not to worry. In terms of performance... I'm trying to find a way to equate all the different coolers mentioned in the thread.

I'm going to use the Noctua NH-D15 as a base line for excellent air cooling to reference. Obviously you can't fit it in your case, but it makes for a good point to go from.

The Cryorig A40 and the Cooler Master MasterLiquid 240 cool on the same level as the NH-D15. They're all within a degree or so of each other at worst on the different review charts I've seen.

The Cryorig H5 Universal will run you a few degrees hotter than the NH-D15 at stock load. At an OC load, it runs about 6-8 degrees hotter.

The Noctua NH-D15s that Geofelt recommended comes in at 160mm with no RAM clearance issues up to 65mm so it should fit in your case. Performance wise, it comes in within a 2-3 degrees of the NH-D15 at OC load. As I don't know the availability of the product in your country, the only problem with it may be finding it at a vendor. I'm sure if you emailed Noctua they could tell you who's on their vendor list for your area. Price is also unknown for your area.

So the AIOs listed and the NH-D15s should all give you pretty much the same level of cooling performance. The H5 Universal isn't up to their levels, but it is also half the price so it's not terribly surprising.

A couple of things I will mention in addition to the performance of the products is to look at the manufactures sites for fan noise levels and warranty information. US warranties may be different depending on the country they're sold in so make sure you go with whats best for you. With air coolers its not as big a deal as the only part that is likely to ever fail is the fan, and those are generally easy to replace. AIOs however do have a pump with an expected life span, so warranty life may be a bigger concern.

One last thing, and it's kind of an odd point but worth noting. The downside to most AIOs and tower CPU fans is there is less airflow over the motherboard components. With normal use it's not really much of an issue. But depending on the motherboard and the OC you're going for, that airflow might be beneficial. The Cryorig A40 has a fan on top of it's pump. This allows you to direct some air flow to components that may run hot. I haven't seen anything absolute as to how beneficial this feature is, but it may be worth considering. The downside obviously is that an added fan means added noise.

 

[nuno.mn.alves]

OK I found a listing for it I think.
Is this the case?
https://www.pcdiga.com/catalog/product/view/id/3260

If it is, you have a CPU clearance of 161mm. So any air cooler would need to have a total size under that limit. So the NH-D15 wouldn't work. The RAM you're using has a 30mm height so most coolers should be ok with that.

I'm using pcdiga.com as a reference since it at least gives me an idea of whats available in your area.
It looks like you can get a Cryorig H5 Universal in your country, provided it's in stock. It's 160mm so it should just fit, and it wouldn't have any issue with RAM clearance. You can OC on it to a moderate level and it's a very quiet fan. I've used it on a few builds and really like it. It should run you around 50€
https://www.pcdiga.com/cooler-cpu-cryorig-h5-universal

For a water AIO I'd recommend getting a 240mm system. With a 120mm system you might as well save some money and stick with a good air cooler like the H5 above.

The Cooler Master MasterLiquid 240 has some positive reviews and runs around 90€
https://www.pcdiga.com/wc-coolermaster-masterliquid-240

The Cryorig A40 has also gotten good reviews. it runs around 100€
https://www.pcdiga.com/cooler-cpu-cryorig-a40

I'm a big fan of the NZXT Kraken systems. If you can find it in your area and it's within budget, the X52 is supposed to be a great cooler.

Thank you for going the extra mile and search in my area, i may have some thinking to do in terms of what to pick, but if both of the coolers (AIO and Air) have more or less the same performance i think ill choose in terms of esthetics since im able to aford any of them.
My PSU should be a problem running everythign right?
Thank you once again

Not to worry. In terms of performance... I'm trying to find a way to equate all the different coolers mentioned in the thread.

I'm going to use the Noctua NH-D15 as a base line for excellent air cooling to reference. Obviously you can't fit it in your case, but it makes for a good point to go from.

The Cryorig A40 and the Cooler Master MasterLiquid 240 cool on the same level as the NH-D15. They're all within a degree or so of each other at worst on the different review charts I've seen.

The Cryorig H5 Universal will run you a few degrees hotter than the NH-D15 at stock load. At an OC load, it runs about 6-8 degrees hotter.

The Noctua NH-D15s that Geofelt recommended comes in at 160mm with no RAM clearance issues up to 65mm so it should fit in your case. Performance wise, it comes in within a 2-3 degrees of the NH-D15 at OC load. As I don't know the availability of the product in your country, the only problem with it may be finding it at a vendor. I'm sure if you emailed Noctua they could tell you who's on their vendor list for your area. Price is also unknown for your area.

So the AIOs listed and the NH-D15s should all give you pretty much the same level of cooling performance. The H5 Universal isn't up to their levels, but it is also half the price so it's not terribly surprising.

A couple of things I will mention in addition to the performance of the products is to look at the manufactures sites for fan noise levels and warranty information. US warranties may be different depending on the country they're sold in so make sure you go with whats best for you. With air coolers its not as big a deal as the only part that is likely to ever fail is the fan, and those are generally easy to replace. AIOs however do have a pump with an expected life span, so warranty life may be a bigger concern.

One last thing, and it's kind of an odd point but worth noting. The downside to most AIOs and tower CPU fans is there is less airflow over the motherboard components. With normal use it's not really much of an issue. But depending on the motherboard and the OC you're going for, that airflow might be beneficial. The Cryorig A40 has a fan on top of it's pump. This allows you to direct some air flow to components that may run hot. I haven't seen anything absolute as to how beneficial this feature is, but it may be worth considering. The downside obviously is that an added fan means added noise.

Thank you for the comparison, that really helps.
In my country there is a Noctua NH-D15S, and it sold for 84€ so roughly at the same prices as the AIOs...
I just and 1 more question, in t«my case (nox hummer zs) how would i mount the fans in a AIO int he fornt!! becasue currently they are intake and they sit between the inside of the case and the front panel!! My question would be if the fans of the AIO would sit in the same place or in a different one.

im really torned between the Noctua NH-D15S (just because of the SMALL fear of having water in the system) and the MasterLiquid 240!

 

[azaran]

Without knowing your current case I couldn't say for sure. If the fans are sitting between the front bezel of the case and the metal frame of the case, you may not have a mounting point, or room, for an AIO. You could possibly mount the fans between the front bezel and the frame, and then mount the radiator inside the frame behind the fans. That is of course there is mounting options and room for the radiator in the case. If there isn't any metal blocking the airflow, it shouldn't make a huge difference in cooling. But if there is any blockage between the fan and radiator, then you're going to get less performance. How much less I couldn't say, but I wouldn't risk it.

It's a hard decision between the air and AIO. Since the cooling is about the same, I'd personally go with the NH-D15S. You never have to worry about water in the case (rare but it happens) or a pump dying. It's also easier to dismantle and clean should you ever do a through cleaning of your case. But it's entirely up to your preference and how you want it to not only preform but also look.

 

[nuno.mn.alves]

Without knowing your current case I couldn't say for sure. If the fans are sitting between the front bezel of the case and the metal frame of the case, you may not have a mounting point, or room, for an AIO. You could possibly mount the fans between the front bezel and the frame, and then mount the radiator inside the frame behind the fans. That is of course there is mounting options and room for the radiator in the case. If there isn't any metal blocking the airflow, it shouldn't make a huge difference in cooling. But if there is any blockage between the fan and radiator, then you're going to get less performance. How much less I couldn't say, but I wouldn't risk it.

It's a hard decision between the air and AIO. Since the cooling is about the same, I'd personally go with the NH-D15S. You never have to worry about water in the case (rare but it happens) or a pump dying. It's also easier to dismantle and clean should you ever do a through cleaning of your case. But it's entirely up to your preference and how you want it to not only preform but also look.

My current case is the Nox Hummer ZS

Taking what you said in cosideration, teh preformance of the AIO may suffer on this case, but i think that estetic it would be the best option, unfortunatly the i7-7700k is a hot chip expecialy wen overclocked

 

[azaran]

Oh sorry I completely misread the beginning of that!

Take a look at this review of the case, they show a few pictures of the case with a 240mm AIO in the front of the case. You're fine with mounting it in the front. Since you already have fans between the frame and the bezel you could mount the rad with fans on the inside and do a push/pull configuration. You just have to decide if you want it as an intake or exhaust.

https://www.alientech.pt/nox-hummer-zs-black

 

[nuno.mn.alves]

Oh sorry I completely misread the beginning of that!

Take a look at this review of the case, they show a few pictures of the case with a 240mm AIO in the front of the case. You're fine with mounting it in the front. Since you already have fans between the frame and the bezel you could mount the rad with fans on the inside and do a push/pull configuration. You just have to decide if you want it as an intake or exhaust.

https://www.alientech.pt/nox-hummer-zs-black

I think that intake would be better since i only have 2 other places were i can mout fans, 1 on top and 1 in the back, and it wouldnt be enough for that to be intake if i use the AIO as exhaust right?

 

[azaran]

I've seen some people choose their AIO as an exhaust, usually thats when it's top mounted tho. Since it's in the front and thats where your intake it, it'll be easier to keep it that way.

 

[nuno.mn.alves]

I've seen some people choose their AIO as an exhaust, usually thats when it's top mounted tho. Since it's in the front and thats where your intake it, it'll be easier to keep it that way.

Would it do any harm havind 2 different sets of fans on the radiatior?? because the fans that i currently have in the case are different form the ones that come with the radiator

 

[azaran]

Should be fine since they'd effectively be creating in to a push/pull configuration which will only increase the airflow through the radiator.