Intel stock coolers known for bad sounds? Also after recommendations

[Dave Thompson]

Hi,

Just got my i5 4690 today upgraded from an i3 4130, and the fan that came with it (second hand) makes an even worse sound than my current cooler. They are both stock intel coolers. What are the chances of having two noisy fans? The guy I bought it off said there were no unpleasant sounds coming from it, so he either doens't think the sound was an issue, or there is something going on with my mobo where fastening down the cooler causes the fan frame to buckle. It usually happens over 1500 revs, and it really is an ugly noise. If I literally just touch one of the plastic pins, the noise is reduced or it changes tone (vibration too?). I hate wasting thermal paste. so before I rip it out and put my original (not so bad) cooler back on, I was hoping to get some advice about it.

It does seem to me that most people buy after-market coolers, and they are not expensive, so which ones would be safe to buy for a bit of peace & quiet? I have an H81m DS2V mobo, and quite liked this cooler, although a little concerned about the heat pipes and if they will interfere with the cmos battery (which appear to be very close.)
https://www.arctic.ac/uk_en/freezer-11-lp.html

Really looking forward to some peaceful gaming, Hope to hear from some of you.

Thanks alot

 

[geofelt]

The stock cooler is very reasonable for what it does.
Under heavy load, the small 92mm fan will spin up and definitely make some noise.
But... it should not be really unpleasant.

1. Check that the wire from the cooler is not ticking the fan blades.
2. Nudge the cooler; if it moves at all, it needs to be remounted.
3. Check the back of the motherboard to verify that all 4 pushpins are through and locked.

Check your idle cpu temperature.
If it is more than 10-15c. over ambient, it likely needs remounting.
If you do, here is my stock tutorial on that.
----------------how to mount the stock Intel cooler--------------

The stock Intel cooler can be tricky to install.
A poor installation will result in higher cpu temperatures.
If properly mounted, you should expect temperatures at idle to be 10-15c. over ambient.

To mount the Intel stock cooler properly, place the motherboard on top of the foam or cardboard backing that was packed with the motherboard.
The stock cooler will come with paste pre applied, it looks like three grey strips.
The 4 push pins should come in the proper position for installation, that is with the pins rotated in the opposite direction of the arrow,(clockwise)
and pulled up as far as they can go.
Take the time to play with the pushpin mechanism until you know how they work.

Orient the 4 pins so that they are exactly over the motherboard holes.
If one is out of place, you will damage the pins which are delicate.
Push down on a DIAGONAL pair of pins at the same time. Then the other pair.

When you push down on the top black pins, it expands the white plastic pins to fix the cooler in place.

If you do them one at a time, you will not get the cooler on straight.
Lastly, look at the back of the motherboard to verify that all 4 pins are equally through the motherboard, and that the cooler is on firmly.
This last step must be done, which is why the motherboard should be out of the case to do the job. Or you need a case with a opening that lets you see the pins.
It is possible to mount the cooler with the motherboard mounted in the case, but you can then never be certain that the push pins are inserted properly
unless you can verify that the pins are through the motherboard and locked.

If you should need to remove the cooler, turn the pins counter clockwise to unlock them.
You will need to clean off the old paste and reapply new if you ever take the cooler off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[why_wolf]

Depending on the size of your case the Cryorig H7 or Cooler Master EVO 212 is a good standard choice. If you need something shorter (small case) then the Cryorig C7 or for a bit more but better sound the Noctua NH-L9

 

[cryoburner]

Does your PC have a small form factor case? If not, and you have the room, I would look into getting a tower cooler, since they tend to cool better with less noise, as they typically make use of a slower but larger fan, blowing directly through their cooling fins. Some are available for not much more than a Freezer 11 Pro, such as the 212 Evo, which you might be able to find for as little as $20 after rebate...
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

There are also some better options that don't cost too much more than that.

 

[Dave Thompson]

Thanks for replies. I should have mentioned that I have a small case. Temps are fine and pretty sure it's not the way I am fitting it. It just whines when under load and it gets worse or better depending on tone/speed, and both of these stock fans are making the same noise. I think it's because they are cheap with rattly plastic pins. I will have to be careful which one I get, especially if it has heat pipes.

 

[Dave Thompson]

Hi again,

Still after some advice with this. I have 2 arctic case fans, and I think they are great. Never had any kind of whine or growly hum from them, so wanted to pick an Arctic cpu cooler out of loyalty.

However, reviews concern me regards noise and especially size. I have an H81M DS2V board, and I don't think I have the room for some of the choices I am seeing. I was going to order the arctic freezer 11 lp, but then discovered the leg feet actually go wider than the intel stock one. So I've been trying to find one that will be the same diameter as the stock, is nice and quiet, and will at least shave 2-3 degrees off current temps.

Please would you guys have a look and let me know if you know any great value coolers (Arctic or otherwise). I don't want to spend over £15-20 on one really. Thanks! https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-H81M-DS2V-rev-10#ov