Sorry in advance for the long ramble-ish post. I am looking to replace my stock intel cooler because the noise has been driving me crazy for like 3 years now. It is like they try to make them as loud as possible lol. But I tend to overthink my purchases and this is no exception, so I'm hoping I can get some input from those with experience in these matters, as this is my first aftermarket heatsink..
I'm currently hovering on 2 options: Thermalright PA120 or Scythe Mugen 5S/rev.c. PA120 definitely seems like better value, but watching some videos on YT of the stock fan, it seems like it could get kinda loud especially with 2 fans. Seems to have an annoying resonance around 800rpm as well, and the middle fan is probably a nightmare to keep clean. The WS-120 fan on the Mugen 5S seems very quiet at lower rpms, albeit with a kind of 'ticking' to it, but it is also $17 more and not dual tower.. Also I'm not sure if the Mugen 5S or 5 rev.c would be better/quieter? Couldnt find video of the kaze Flex II fan, just the original, which seemed a bit louder.. But I think the rev.c is a bit newer..
But with the PA120 I might be able to spin both fans lower rpm for overall lower noise than the Mugen..?
Both of these are total overkill for my 65w cpu but I'd like to spin the fans as low as possible, also I plan to upgrade one of these days so doesn't make sense to go for a cheapo cooler especially since air coolers last basically forever. Are there perhaps any other better options I might be overlooking? Ideal price range is ~$55 or less. Quiet fan is a must since I do recording and such, and my tower is only a couple feet away from me. Also I don't like liquid cooling, too many points of failure.
Notes: Case clearance is 160mm. RAM is <40mm above the board, 35-ish. But with my kit I have to use the slot closest to the cpu so I'm worried about a tight fit - one of the reasons I like these 2 coolers is the cutouts on the bottom fins.. These can be mounted in any orientation on LGA1151 right?
Also I see that many of the cheaper coolers have direct-touch heat pipes whereas the ones I am considering don't. Why is this? Is it just a gimmick or does it actually make a difference? It certainly seems more efficient but if it is why do many of the more expensive coolers not have it?
I'm currently hovering on 2 options: Thermalright PA120 or Scythe Mugen 5S/rev.c. PA120 definitely seems like better value, but watching some videos on YT of the stock fan, it seems like it could get kinda loud especially with 2 fans. Seems to have an annoying resonance around 800rpm as well, and the middle fan is probably a nightmare to keep clean. The WS-120 fan on the Mugen 5S seems very quiet at lower rpms, albeit with a kind of 'ticking' to it, but it is also $17 more and not dual tower.. Also I'm not sure if the Mugen 5S or 5 rev.c would be better/quieter? Couldnt find video of the kaze Flex II fan, just the original, which seemed a bit louder.. But I think the rev.c is a bit newer..
But with the PA120 I might be able to spin both fans lower rpm for overall lower noise than the Mugen..?
Both of these are total overkill for my 65w cpu but I'd like to spin the fans as low as possible, also I plan to upgrade one of these days so doesn't make sense to go for a cheapo cooler especially since air coolers last basically forever. Are there perhaps any other better options I might be overlooking? Ideal price range is ~$55 or less. Quiet fan is a must since I do recording and such, and my tower is only a couple feet away from me. Also I don't like liquid cooling, too many points of failure.
Notes: Case clearance is 160mm. RAM is <40mm above the board, 35-ish. But with my kit I have to use the slot closest to the cpu so I'm worried about a tight fit - one of the reasons I like these 2 coolers is the cutouts on the bottom fins.. These can be mounted in any orientation on LGA1151 right?
Also I see that many of the cheaper coolers have direct-touch heat pipes whereas the ones I am considering don't. Why is this? Is it just a gimmick or does it actually make a difference? It certainly seems more efficient but if it is why do many of the more expensive coolers not have it?