Stock Cooler Isn't Sufficient.

[Orome]

Hi all, I had a question related to a concern I had about my stock cooler for my AMD FX-6300. When I play most unintensive games I get amazing temps (45c in most source games) but when I play games like BF4 and GTA V under full load I get around 75c+. At one point, it hit 80c and I shut of the game out of concern. I've been thinking about upgrading to an aftermarket cooler for some time now, and the two that have my interest are the NZXT Kraken X41 and the Corsair H70. Anyone have suggestions?

tl;dr: Need new cooler. NZXT Kraken X41 or the Corsair H70?

 

[Gam3r01]

What are you using to check temps, your processor should have throttled before reaching 80C.
I recommend you not get 120mm AIO coolers. What is your budget and case?

 

[Orome]

What are you using to check temps, your processor should have throttled before reaching 80C.
I recommend you not get 120mm AIO coolers. What is your budget and case?

I'm using CPUID's HWMONITOR. You're right, the cpu does throttle itself back when it hits 80c, but then sits on 79c which I still don't like seeing. My budget stops right where the X41 sits in price, and in my opinion looks a lot better. My case (NZXT S340) doesn't really allow for 240/280mm radiators sadly (I think) because of a bracket sitting right at the right in between the graphics card and the dual 120/140mm intake fan mounts, which is why I'm looking into the 140mm variants. I feel like it would be a hell of a lot easier trying to fit a single 140mm rad into the bottom space where the bracket doesn't stick out as much instead of having to remove the bracket altogether to fit the 240/280mm radiator. I'm looking for something that will look nice in my build (ie: the nzxt krakens because of my matte black/blue led build). Also, the Kraken is a 140mm, not 120mm :<

 

[Gam3r01]

Try using AMD overdrive and see what it reports.
For the price of those AIO coolers, you can get big air which will outperform most 240mm water coolers.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($74.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $74.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-05 18:22 EDT-0400

 

[Orome]

Try using AMD overdrive and see what it reports.
For the price of those AIO coolers, you can get big air which will outperform most 240mm water coolers.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($74.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $74.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-05 18:22 EDT-0400

I will try AMD Overdrive right now. As for the Noctua cooler, I'm really in need of something that will look minimalist and simple other than a bulky air cooler.
Edit: I don't have CPU OverDrive enabled and I don't have any intention to overclock. To turn on CPU OverDrive, I'd have to end the conference call I'm hosting as well as several posts that I've not yet finished, so I will have to continue using HWMonitor for the time being.

 

[Gam3r01]

The looks of the cooler should be second to its performance, 120mm coolers are beaten by small air such as the 212 EVO or CRYORig H7. They arent worth the premium.

 

[Orome]

The looks of the cooler should be second to its performance, 120mm coolers are beaten by small air such as the 212 EVO or CRYORig H7. They arent worth the premium.

It's a 140mm cooler :< also, considering I have the money to get the aio there's not much of a reason for me not to. I don't need maximum performance per dollar, I need simplicity with good enough performance to outperform my stock cooler, which can be achieved by said product.

 

[Gam3r01]

120mm, 140mm, they both lack in comparison to air.

 

[Orome]

120mm, 140mm, they both lack in comparison to air.

To be honest, I'm not interested in air cooling in any shape or form. I'd rather spend $20 extra or more to get something that will look so much better and compliment my build, because at the place where I'm at now in my build I don't need better performance in any other department.

 

[Gam3r01]

If you must skip air, which I will say one last time I dont recommend, I would take the Kraken.

 

[Orome]

If you must skip air, which I will say one last time I dont recommend, I would take the Kraken.

I thank you for the recommendation, but since I will be attending lans soon and I need something extra to make my build look better, I really do want water cooling. Thank you for your final answer. Much appreciated!