Need opinions on coolers

[g3ck0212]

Okay, I'm buying a cooler tonight... I'm down to between three choices:

1. be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 - 74.90 w/ free shipping from Newegg

2. Cooler Master V8 GTS - 89.99 w/ free shipping from Newegg

3. Phanteks PH-TC14PE - 79.99 w/ free shipping from Newegg

Which one do I choose? I'm leaning towards the Dark Rock Pro 3 because A. It looks NICE B. it has really good reviews C. It is super quiet and performs so well

 

[Calculatron]

Numbers 1 and 3 will perform the best. Number 1 will be the most quiet. Number three, I believe, is the absolute best performer, but a couple degrees.

 

[g3ck0212]

If its less than 5 degrees it doesn't matter... I'm leaning towards number 1 then!

 

[Archgaull]

Have you considered the Noctua DH-14? That is supposed to be one of the best air coolers there is.

 

[g3ck0212]

Have you considered the Noctua DH-14? That is supposed to be one of the best air coolers there is.

Yes, I have. It performs well, and is also $80. However, it is HIDEOUS.
That being said, I have seen many reviews noting the similarities between the Dark Rock Pro 3 and the NH-D14 in design...

My issue is that it would completely clash with my red and black themed build (I'm just getting a replacement cooler since my AIO liquid cooler's pump bit the dust)

 

[Karadjgne]

I'd go with the DR Pro.

 

[g3ck0212]

I'd go with the DR Pro.

Actually getting ready to buy it from Newegg *thumbs up*

http://

 

[andy_Man]

If you are spending that much on a heatsink/fan.
Why not Noctua NH-d14

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cooling/2014/06/09/be-quiet-dark-rock-pro-3-review/2

 

[Calculatron]

I do believe both of those coolers surpass the NH-D14, which has been updated into the NH-D15.

 

[andy_Man]

I do believe both of those coolers surpass the NH-D14, which has been updated into the NH-D15.

The link I included has the phantecs and the data rock. Chart shows Phantec>NH-d14>Data rock pro 3. I would have to find another review that includes the cooler master.

So if we are talking purely performance I would go with the Phantec/NH-d14 . The d15 is updated d14 but it's a lot more expensive.

 

[Calculatron]

I do believe both of those coolers surpass the NH-D14, which has been updated into the NH-D15.

The link I included has the phantecs and the data rock. Chart shows Phantec>NH-d14>Data rock pro 3. I would have to find another review that includes the cooler master.

So if we are talking purely performance I would go with the Phantec/NH-d14 . The d15 is updated d14 but it's a lot more expensive.

Oh no! Counter-evidence!

http://www.kitguru.net/components/cooling/luke-hill/be-quiet-dark-rock-pro-3-cpu-cooler-review/5/

http://www.futurelooks.com/be-quiet-dark-rock-pro-3-cpu-cooler-review/2/

But, seriously, both are in the same class.

 

[Karadjgne]

The NH - D14 outperforms the Phanteks PH-TC14PE, barely, in every test except ability under extreme OC full loads, at which point the Phanteks becomes the clear winner, barely.

Basically the DR Pro, Phanteks PH-TC14PE and the NH - D14 are the same cooler, made by different companies, as they perform so similar, but that's to be expected from this class of cooler, given the brands used.

So it comes down to looks, and imho, the slightly more aggressive styling of the DR Pro fits better with a black/red theme over the softer looking NH-D14, which is not only a huge chunk of silver colored heatsink, but would require different fans to match the theme, putting it way over the proposed budget and still be the wrong color. Same goes for the Phanteks, which we it has a black heatsink at least, and black fan blades, also has white shrouds.

This puts the DR Pro as the optimal match.

 

[g3ck0212]

The NH - D14 outperforms the Phanteks PH-TC14PE, barely, in every test except ability under extreme OC full loads, at which point the Phanteks becomes the clear winner, barely.

Basically the DR Pro, Phanteks PH-TC14PE and the NH - D14 are the same cooler, made by different companies, as they perform so similar, but that's to be expected from this class of cooler, given the brands used.

So it comes down to looks, and imho, the slightly more aggressive styling of the DR Pro fits better with a black/red theme over the softer looking NH-D14, which is not only a huge chunk of silver colored heatsink, but would require different fans to match the theme, putting it way over the proposed budget and still be the wrong color. Same goes for the Phanteks, which we it has a black heatsink at least, and black fan blades, also has white shrouds.

This puts the DR Pro as the optimal match.

YES! ^this so much!
I was actually afraid someone was going to flame me for choosing a heatsink because of the way it looked rather than all-out performance...

now if it were between some generic lighted cooler and the DR Pro 3 and I chose the generic one because red LEDs... then I would deserve to be flamed

 

[wbj707]

It's 2015.. Go closed loop liquid cooler..

Corsair H60 is a great deal. Quite. Performs way better than any air cooler under gaming/work conditions.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A0HZMGA/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00A0HZMGA&linkCode=as2&tag=besgamgea-20&linkId=3ONWJLHS4WSRGT5T

 

[g3ck0212]

It's 2015.. Go closed loop liquid cooler..

Corsair H60 is a great deal. Quite. Performs way better than any air cooler under gaming/work conditions.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A0HZMGA/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00A0HZMGA&linkCode=as2&tag=besgamgea-20&linkId=3ONWJLHS4WSRGT5T

I already tried that... the cooler the Dark Rock Pro is replacing is (was?) an Antec Kuhler H2O 620. The pump died which is why I ordered a new cooler...

 

[Karadjgne]

The h60 is a very good 'budget' CLC, easily comparable to the CM Hyper212 EVO in cooling ability. That said, the hyper212 is just not in the same class as the twin tower heatsinks like the DR Pro or NH - D14. For that level of ability you'd be looking at a nzxt x41, Corsair h80i, h90 etc.