Need a CPU Cooler for an i5 Used For Gaming

[rhodesgamer]

Hey there, it's good to be back. What I'm looking for today is a CPU cooler for my recently acquired Intel i5-3570K, which will be used moderately to heavily for gaming purposes. Now, the case that I am upgrading to is a Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=6146836&SID=125l0tsegk58m), just to let you guys get an idea for how much room we're talking here. However, I don't want a cooler that is an absolute monster and takes up half the case, and I would prefer if it was a fan one, with that nice shiny copper tubing perhaps? I never really got into liquid cooling, but if that seems like the best way to go I wouldn't mind leaning that way. If liquid cooling gives me a substantial difference from air cooling and is more bang for buck than please don't hesitate to suggest anything! I would also prefer if the price stayed reasonable, maybe $150 or less? And if you wouldn't mind adding on good suggestions for thermal compound I would really appreciate it! Thanks.

 

[Som3one]

I am sure there more good coolers but the three that first come to my mind are:

BeQuiet Dark Rock 2

Noctua U14S or U12S

And I thought Phanteks has one of these, too. But I can´t seem to find it.

 

[SimonGranstrom]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Cooling MX4 4g Thermal Paste ($7.05 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $97.04
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-18 04:02 EST-0500)

 

[Som3one]

Uhm, wait. I think I got you wrong.

You are looking for an air cooler with just one fan but would be fine with an AiO with two fans, right?

 

[rhodesgamer]

Uhm, wait. I think I got you wrong.

You are looking for an air cooler with just one fan but would be fine with an AiO with two fans, right?

Oh no it could have 50 fans if it really did the job well. Really any suggestions will do.

 

[rhodesgamer]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Cooling MX4 4g Thermal Paste ($7.05 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $97.04
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-18 04:02 EST-0500)

Hm, I'm seeing that some people have had installation issues with the cooler, specifically the radiator. I'm guessing from my case that the size of this thing doesn't really matter, but is it worth it I guess the question would be.

 

[Som3one]

Ah, I see. 😉

In this case, if you want to go AiO liquid cooling, these are the current top performers (that should fit into your case):
Swiftech H320
swiftech H220 or CM Glacier 240(L?)
Corsair H100i

If you are ok with a bit bigger air coolers with two fans:
beQuiet Dark Rock 2 Pro
phanteks ph-tc14pe
noctua nh-d14

 

[RobCrezz]

I have the Phanteks TC-12DX and can recommend it. Very good for the cost. 27-30'c idle, 45-50'c in games on a 4.6Ghz 2500k.

Heres how it looks in my case:

 

[rhodesgamer]

Ah, I see. 😉

In this case, if you want to go AiO liquid cooling, these are the current top performers (that should fit into your case):
Swiftech H320
swiftech H220 or CM Glacier 240(L?)
Corsair H100i

If you are ok with a bit bigger air coolers with two fans:
beQuiet Dark Rock 2 Pro
phanteks ph-tc14pe
noctua nh-d14

Hey there, I just had a quick question for you before I decide. If I'm not really planning to overclock the processor, should I still invest in a dedicated CPU cooler? Because I've seen a lot of people say that stock fans are perfectly fine if you're not going to overclock.

 

[ewok93]

They are fine if you're not overclocking, and if you're not going to, you shouldn't spend $50+ on a nice cooler. Just get something like a Hyper 212 Evo if you want to get an aftermarket.

 

[Som3one]

Hey there, I just had a quick question for you before I decide. If I'm not really planning to overclock the processor, should I still invest in a dedicated CPU cooler? Because I've seen a lot of people say that stock fans are perfectly fine if you're not going to overclock.

Well, in theory they are fine.
But I personally would never use a stock CPU cooler. Also, they are pretty loud and just...meh.... 😉

If you don´t overclock, this:

They are fine if you're not overclocking, and if you're not going to, you shouldn't spend $50+ on a nice cooler. Just get something like a Hyper 212 Evo if you want to get an aftermarket.

But if you don´t overclock, why are you getting a k-CPU any way?
In any way, even the EVO will leave you some headroom to overclock.

 

[rhodesgamer]

But if you don´t overclock, why are you getting a k-CPU any way?
In any way, even the EVO will leave you some headroom to overclock.

Well I was asking for opinions and considering it because it's safe to assume that gaming for long periods of time will heat up the CPU, and it's always nice to have a cool CPU even when it's under load.