What CPU cooler for new sytem i7-8700k

[mjbn1977]

H Everyone,
I am building a new gaming system based on a i7-8700k with the goal to moderate overclocking (nice balance of clock speed and temps, maybe 4.7 or 4.8ghz?). I decided on all components, with the exception of the CPU cooler. I can't decide if I should go with an air tower cooler like Noctua NH-D15 or something liquid like Corsair H100i V2. In my old system I used a Corsair H60 for my 2500k and that run without any problems over the last 5 years.
Here are all the components I picked up:

Case: Corsair 400c
PSU: Seasonic FOCUS Plus Series SSR-550FX 550W 80+ Gold
CPU: i7 8700k
MSI Z370 SLI (not planning to do SLI but the boards seems good value, and I like MSI)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 DRAM 3000MHz C15
GPU: 1x MSI GTX 1070 Gaming
Harddrives: 2x SSDs and 1x HDD
no optical drives

I would be great if anyone could give some good recommendations on cpu coolers. Don't really want to spent more tn $100 (maybe $120). I am tempted by the Noctua NH-D15. But it is very heavy and big and it seems almost to be overkill.

Thank you!!!

 

[sadams04]

Air coolers => https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/46tCmG,4vzv6h,xFw323,Ztp323/

Water Coolers => https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/MBmxFT,CrDzK8,Dz648d,nfzZxr/

 

[feelinfroggy777]

Both of those coolers will do a very good job. The Noctua NH-D15 is one of the best air coolers on the market. I have a Corsair h115i and I like it keeps my system very cool.

Personally, I just don't like the way Noctua fans look, so I avoid them. But that cooler will do just as good of a job as a AIO. As for noise, both will be similar. I game with sound and I never hear my h115i pump pickup pace.

 

[mjbn1977]

Any good air cooler alternatives to the Noctua, that are not as ugly and heavy? maybe a little cheaper?

 

[sadams04]

Air coolers => https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/46tCmG,4vzv6h,xFw323,Ztp323/

Cryorig

 

[mjbn1977]

Air coolers => https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/46tCmG,4vzv6h,xFw323,Ztp323/

Cryorig

thank you!

 

[mjbn1977]

Both of those coolers will do a very good job. The Noctua NH-D15 is one of the best air coolers on the market. I have a Corsair h115i and I like it keeps my system very cool.

Personally, I just don't like the way Noctua fans look, so I avoid them. But that cooler will do just as good of a job as a AIO. As for noise, both will be similar. I game with sound and I never hear my h115i pump pickup pace.

thank you!

 

[naradu]

Just a small recommendation regarding your system.
You might consider spending a few more bugs for a stronger Seasonic 650W, maybe even 750W PSU or pick Corsair RM550/650x instead.
Why? New Seasonic FOCUS series are very solid choice, I've bought one my self, but they get really noisy at higher load.
See review http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/seasonic-ssr-750fx-focus-plus-750-gold-psu,5206-5.html
Considering 4,8GHz overclock and a maximum power drain scenario, noise produced by your SSR-550FX could be somewhat disturbing.

I went with SSR-750FX for ~400W system because of PSU dimension limitations I had, achieving both silence and having some extra free power in case of adding some components in the future.
Since your case will fit larger Corsair RM no problem, both options are viable.

 

[mjbn1977]

Just a small recommendation regarding your system.
You might consider spending a few more bugs for a stronger Seasonic 650W, maybe even 750W PSU or pick Corsair RM550/650x instead.
Why? New Seasonic FOCUS series are very solid choice, I've bought one my self, but they get really noisy at higher load.
See review http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/seasonic-ssr-750fx-focus-plus-750-gold-psu,5206-5.html
Considering 4,8GHz overclock and a maximum power drain scenario, noise produced by your SSR-550FX could be somewhat disturbing.

I went with SSR-750FX for ~400W system because of PSU dimension limitations I had, achieving both silence and having some extra free power in case of adding some components in the future.
Since your case will fit larger Corsair RM no problem, both options are viable.

Thanks for your recommendation. Newegg is selling the Seasonic FOCUS Plus Series SSR-750FX 750W 80+ Gold for the same price as the 550W right now. But wouldn't the 750W overkill for a system that only draws 450W at most? Isn't that highly inefficient? I want a reliable efficient and silent PSU unit and are open for alternative recommendations...

 

[naradu]

Just a small recommendation regarding your system.
You might consider spending a few more bugs for a stronger Seasonic 650W, maybe even 750W PSU or pick Corsair RM550/650x instead.
Why? New Seasonic FOCUS series are very solid choice, I've bought one my self, but they get really noisy at higher load.
See review http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/seasonic-ssr-750fx-focus-plus-750-gold-psu,5206-5.html
Considering 4,8GHz overclock and a maximum power drain scenario, noise produced by your SSR-550FX could be somewhat disturbing.

I went with SSR-750FX for ~400W system because of PSU dimension limitations I had, achieving both silence and having some extra free power in case of adding some components in the future.
Since your case will fit larger Corsair RM no problem, both options are viable.

Thanks for your recommendation. Newegg is selling the Seasonic FOCUS Plus Series SSR-750FX 750W 80+ Gold for the same price as the 550W right now. But wouldn't the 750W overkill for a system that only draws 450W at most? Isn't that highly inefficient? I want a reliable efficient and silent PSU unit and are open for alternative recommendations...

Yes, I do admit that SSR-750FX 750W may be a bit of an overkill for your system. But like I said, its because of that high noise at high load, which you want to avoid for this PSU (noisy 12mm fan at high rpm). I also prefer to have more power headroom for adding more components in the future.

Efficiency is not an issue in here. In the review I've sent you, there is also a power efficiency curve for 750. Difference between 550 and 750 will be minor.

As a side note, I do admit that since you'll be probably gaming most of the time, you won't encounter a real live scenario when both your CPU and GPU would consume 100% of the power at the same time. E.g. here is a power consumption for I7-8700k OC, 1080p gaming with GTX1080ti. It was like ~70W (CPU only).

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-coffee-lake-i7-8700k-cpu,5252-12.html

So I estimate you system should drain like ~300-320W (350-380W AC) at gaming load.
Based on your preference, I'd go Corsair RM550/650x.

Heres Corsair RM750x review which may give you some idea.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/corsair-rm750x-power-supply,4303.html

See noise level, you may run it fanless till 350W.
There also other solid options, I recommend going through TH recommended PSUs.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-psus,4229.html

Hope this helps... or gets you more confused which PSU to choose. I'm mean 😉

 

[mjbn1977]

[/quotemsg]

As a side note, I do admit that since you'll be probably gaming most of the time, you won't encounter a real live scenario when both your CPU and GPU would consume 100% of the power at the same time. E.g. here is a power consumption for I7-8700k OC, 1080p gaming with GTX1080ti. It was like ~70W (CPU only).

[/quotemsg]

Well, that is not completely right. I also run BOINC a lot and that usually put CPU and GPU at 100% a lot.

Now you made me leaning towards a 650W unit. Actually, I have a OZC 650W PSU in my old system and it works great.

Sorry, that this turned into a PSU thread.

 

[RED-VIPER_-7]

Hello,
Did you delidd your 8700k?
I have read this can really help by about 15c.

Respectfully,

Mark Jones

 

[mjbn1977]

Hello,
Did you delidd your 8700k?
I have read this can really help by about 15c.

Respectfully,

Mark Jones

no, and I am not planning to. As long as I am reaching about 4.8Ghz on all cores at decent temps I will be fine. Right now my bottle neck is my older GPU. While gaming the 8700k doesn't even reach more than 40% utilization on stock speeds...