Question i7 8700K CPU cooler needed for a new gaming build.

May 17, 2019
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I'm need help to get a decent priced cooler for an i7-8700K processor and will probably do mild overclocking, and simple multitasking, nothing too harsh. Just need a decent cooler to keep it cool during some good gaming sessions (will average 10-16 Hours)/ day. And my motherboard socket is LGA1151.
 
I'm a big fan of Noctua, their performance is just simply the best and blow away most other air cooler as well as many AIOs. So my recommendation would be the Noctua NH D15. If you hate the color of Noctua like many then be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 4 either the 200 or 25Watt version or I've also heard goo things about the Phanteks PH-TC14PE whcih come in a few different color schemes.
 
May 17, 2019
23
0
10
I'm a big fan of Noctua, their performance is just simply the best and blow away most other air cooler as well as many AIOs. So my recommendation would be the Noctua NH D15. If you hate the color of Noctua like many then be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 4 either the 200 or 25Watt version or I've also heard goo things about the Phanteks PH-TC14PE whcih come in a few different color schemes.
Will the Noctua D15 do the job for my gaming build even though it's an Air cooler and does not have Liquid cooling? Just curious as I'm not too informed about how coolers function.
 
One thing about Air Coolers I should have mention is height clearance, what case do you have?


To answer your question though, yes air coolers for the most part match or beat most AIO water coolers and in the cases of the cheaper AIOs absolutely destroy them. Most people have known this for several years since the AIO Water Coolers became popular but this video just came out
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23vjWtUpItk
which has brought it up once again. AIOs are minly for looks or in some cases size constrictions.
 
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May 17, 2019
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One thing about Air Coolers I should have mention is height clearance, what case do you have?


To answer your question though, yes air coolers for the most part match or beat most AIO water coolers and in the cases of the cheaper AIOs absolutely destroy them. Most people have known this for several years since the AIO Water Coolers became popular but this video just came out
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23vjWtUpItk
which has brought it up once again. AIOs are minly for looks or in some cases size constrictions.
One thing about Air Coolers I should have mention is height clearance, what case do you have?


To answer your question though, yes air coolers for the most part match or beat most AIO water coolers and in the cases of the cheaper AIOs absolutely destroy them. Most people have known this for several years since the AIO Water Coolers became popular but this video just came out
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23vjWtUpItk
which has brought it up once again. AIOs are minly for looks or in some cases size constrictions.
Alright and I'm not sure about the case, I haven't decided that yet, only got the MOBO, GPU, PSU and other stuff ready, can you suggest something? I don't want a flashy case or RGB cause it's extra cash, I want to keep it simple, not too expensive BUT working good enough for gaming.
 
I would just browse Newegg or PCpartspicker and look at cases. NZXT, Corsair and Phanteks all make very nice ones and even some from Coolermaster look good (as long as you avoid all their flashy crap) You don't need to spend alot but some things like rubber grommets around cable pass through, powersupply covers, tempered glass vs acrylic, vent filters etc are things to look at.


Here's a few nice simple good looking ones that aren't super expensive:

Corsair Carbide 275R
Phanteks Eclipse P300
Fractal Design Meshify C
Cooler Master Q500L (supports full size ATX and is very small although Ive heard it has cooling issues)
NZXT H series
 
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May 17, 2019
23
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I would just browse Newegg or PCpartspicker and look at cases. NZXT, Corsair and Phanteks all make very nice ones and even some from Coolermaster look good (as long as you avoid all their flashy crap) You don't need to spend alot but some things like rubber grommets around cable pass through, powersupply covers, tempered glass vs acrylic, vent filters etc are things to look at.


Here's a few nice simple good looking ones that aren't super expensive:

Corsair Carbide 275R
Phanteks Eclipse P300
Fractal Design Meshify C
Cooler Master Q500L (supports full size ATX and is very small although Ive heard it has cooling issues)
NZXT H series
I took a look at them and do all of them meet the criterion you mentioned? And will the Noctua D15 be good for these cases?
 
The Noctua NHD15 height is 165mm, the cases that will supports this are:

Carbide Series 275R
Fractal Design Meshify C
NZXT H500 (and probably the other H series, although check)


Anyway all you need to do is make sure the case CPU Height Clearance is 165mm or greater, which Newgg puts in the specs section (usually) or you can look on the manufacturers website. You don't have to get the NHD15 but it is an absolute beast for cooler and is also very very quiet.
 
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The Noctua NHD15 height is 165mm, the cases that will supports this are:

Carbide Series 275R
Fractal Design Meshify C
NZXT H500 (and probably the other H series, although check)


Anyway all you need to do is make sure the case CPU Height Clearance is 165mm or greater, which Newgg puts in the specs section (usually) or you can look on the manufacturers website. You don't have to get the NHD15 but it is an absolute beast for cooler and is also very very quiet.
Alright Thanks man, appreciate the help a lot! :)
 
Are you in the USA? This would be a nice set-up for you:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor ($354.99 @ Walmart)
CPU Cooler: Scythe - Mugen 5 Rev. B 51.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($47.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair - Carbide Series 275R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $442.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-05-24 09:13 EDT-0400


The Phanteks P350X is also on sale for $60 (PH-EC350PTG_DBK ) and would be nice, though it does have a bit of RGB bling on it.

https://www.newegg.com/black-phanteks-eclipse-p350x-atx-mid-tower/p/N82E16811854075

The Corsair SPEC-06 is also on sale for $60, but also has a little RGB:

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/96PKHx/corsair-carbide-spec-06-rgb-atx-mid-tower-case-cc-9011146-ww

Probably not as nice as those above, this CoolerMaster MB511 is still pretty good and only $35 AR:

https://www.newegg.com/red-cooler-m...052319-Index-_-ComputerCases-_-11119346-S1A5C
 
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Look at the noctua NH-D15s.
The s version fits in a case with 160mm available.
It is also designed to not be impacted by tall ram heat spreaders or by graphics card backplates when mounted in the first pcie x16 slot.
You need no more for a 8700K that is overclocked.

As to case recommendations:

1. Buy a case that looks good to you. You will be with it for a very long time.
Bust your budget for one if you need to. I am not a fan of RGB bling.

2. A case, first of all needs to hold your parts.
If you have a ATX motherboard, it needs a ATX sized case. If you have a M-ATX motherboard with 4 expansion slots, it will fit in either a M-ATX case or a full ATX case. vice versa will not work.
Most of the time, we are dealing with a single graphics card and a few drives, not usually a problem.
If you have a dvd drive, fewer cases are now including a place for them.

3. A case should have adequate front air intake capabilities. two 120/140mm front intakes is ok, as is a single 200mm fan.
The front intake should have an easily changed washable filter. When all of the case air intake is from one source and is filtered, your parts will stay cleaner. This is called a positive pressure system.

I have used a M-ATX motherboard for many years with no problems.
My case is a Silverstone TJ-08E
https://www.newegg.com/black-silverstone-temjin-series-microatx-mini-tower/p/N82E16811163182
Here is a review:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1215-page1.html
 
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May 17, 2019
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Are you in the USA? This would be a nice set-up for you:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor ($354.99 @ Walmart)
CPU Cooler: Scythe - Mugen 5 Rev. B 51.17 CFM CPU Cooler ($47.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair - Carbide Series 275R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $442.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-05-24 09:13 EDT-0400


The Phanteks P350X is also on sale for $60 (PH-EC350PTG_DBK ) and would be nice, though it does have a bit of RGB bling on it.

https://www.newegg.com/black-phanteks-eclipse-p350x-atx-mid-tower/p/N82E16811854075

The Corsair SPEC-06 is also on sale for $60, but also has a little RGB:

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/96PKHx/corsair-carbide-spec-06-rgb-atx-mid-tower-case-cc-9011146-ww

Probably not as nice as those above, this CoolerMaster MB511 is still pretty good and only $35 AR:

https://www.newegg.com/red-cooler-m...052319-Index-_-ComputerCases-_-11119346-S1A5C
I'm not from the USA which is why I cannot buy from US sites cause they charge a lot for shipping and Customs duty is really high here for electronics. Thank You though for the suggestions