Need a new CPU cooler ASAP. Please help me decide.

[Guest]

Hello everyone.

I need a new CPU cooler for my desktop PC. I play a lot of games on my PC, so I need a new CPU cooler that will keep my CPU cool even when I'm gaming. The one I currently have installed is just to big for my case. The CPU cooler I currently own and have installed is a Cooler Master V6GT cooler, and the case I have all of my parts in is a Cooler Master K350 mid-tower case.

I need a new CPU cooler that measures no more than 145mm in height and that's no more than CAD $50 including tax. My CPU is an AMD Phenom II X4 965 BE, and my motherboard is an MSI 970A G46 AM3/AM3+ motherboard (which didn't come with CPU bracket mounts, might I add...)

Here are some CPU coolers that I've been looking at:
- Arctic Cooling Freezer XTREME Rev.2 - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186066
- Cooler Master GeminII S524 - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103100
- Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134
- Zalman CNPS5X Performa - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118128

Are any of these CPU coolers any good? Which one is the best one out of the ones I've listed? Are there other CPU coolers out there that are better than the ones I've listed that meet my criteria?

 

[geofelt]

I like the first one best.
It seems to have plenty of cooling fins and a 120mm fan.

A cooler with a 120mm fan will run quieter and deliver more airflow.

It is a tower type cooler that can direct the hot air out of the case better.

The second does have a 120mm fan, but it is a downdraft type which is not as effective.

 

[Guest]

I like the first one best.
It seems to have plenty of cooling fins and a 120mm fan.

A cooler with a 120mm fan will run quieter and deliver more airflow.

It is a tower type cooler that can direct the hot air out of the case better.

The second does have a 120mm fan, but it is a downdraft type which is not as effective.

Yeah, the Freezer XTREME Rev.2 seems to be a pretty good CPU cooler from what I've read, and it's not too big either, which is nice because the V6GT that I currently have installed actually covers two of my RAM slots on my motherboard which really sucks, but the Freezer XTREME Re.2 also the most expensive one. Do the other CPU coolers even come close to comparing to the Freezer XTREME Rev.2?

 

[Guest]

If you couldn't get the XTREME Rev.2, which CPU cooler would would you choose next out of the ones listed?

 

[m3owm1x3r]

i have a geminII installed in a m-atx build and a m-itx build, and it works great, and includes some high end thermal paste as well.

 

[MaXimus421]

+1 for the GeminII S524, it's really a fantastic design regarding side panel case fan clearance that other 'tower style' coolers sometimes have issues with.

Can be situated 3 different ways to cool different area's of the mobo as well, including your RAM. It's also compatible with both Intel/AMD sockets. It's pretty big though, and is a bit tricky to install.

It keeps my over clocked Phenom X4 cool at all times.