What CPU cooler to choose?

[n0af]

My budget is 80$, I want a air cooler that's not too big, but can handle overclocking a i5 4690k to about 4 Ghz. The Noctua ones are pretty good, but the fans are ugly (I'm going for a black/white color scheme). I've also looked at the BQ Dark Rock 3, not the Pro version, (the Pro wouldn't fit in the S340) and it seems okay, but I'm not sure about the temps. So, what are your suggestions? Could I just get different fans for the Noctuas, go with the Dark Rock 3, or something completely diferrent?

 

[DasHotShot]

My budget is 80$, I want a air cooler that's not too big, but can handle overclocking a i5 4690k to about 4 Ghz. The Noctua ones are pretty good, but the fans are ugly (I'm going for a black/white color scheme). I've also looked at the BQ Dark Rock 3, not the Pro version, (the Pro wouldn't fit in the S340) and it seems okay, but I'm not sure about the temps. So, what are your suggestions? Could I just get different fans for the Noctuas, go with the Dark Rock 3, or something completely diferrent?

Does it have to be air? You can easily afford closed loop water cooling which will shatter most air coolers for temps and noise

 

[n0af]

@DasHotShot

Which AIO will beat a air cooler at 80$? The only 80$ AIO I could find was the Kraken X31, which isn't a really good performer. It's really hard to compare the prices here where I live and in the US.

 

[Archaic59]

Look at the Cryorig H7. has some nice features:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4UF2DZ6565

 

[DasHotShot]

@DasHotShot

Which AIO will beat a air cooler at 80$? The only 80$ AIO I could find was the Kraken X31, which isn't a really good performer. It's really hard to compare the prices here where I live and in the US.

Where do you live?

 

[Chayan4400]

@DasHotShot

Which AIO will beat a air cooler at 80$? The only 80$ AIO I could find was the Kraken X31, which isn't a really good performer. It's really hard to compare the prices here where I live and in the US.

Tell us what country you are from, so we can suggest some coolers that are available in your country.

 

[RCFProd]

Best Air Cooler on the market at the moment

CPU Cooler: CRYORIG R1 Ultimate 76.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $89.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-21 10:01 EDT-0400

[video="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyO-BdCdH1o"][/video]

 

[n0af]

@Archaic59

Are you sure it's better than the Dark Rock 3? It costs 20€ less on the German Amazon, and I can easily afford the Dark Rock 3 which I can also get in my country.

 

[Chayan4400]

@Archaic59 Are you sure it's better than the Dark Rock 3? It costs 20€ less on the German Amazon, and I can easily afford the Dark Rock 3 which I can also get in my country.

OK, so you are from germany?

 

[apoorv_jain11]

You can check Corsair H80i cooler. It's performance is quite nice. My friend is using it on overclocked i7-4690K. The cooler is not so bulky, and will fit in your case too.

 

[n0af]

FYI I live in Croatia (Europe). Probably haven't heard of it eh? The prices are comparable to German Amazon (where I can order from), but prices can vary.

EDIT: Most of the stuff is available here. The Cryorig stuff isn't but I'd order it from Amazon.de if it outperformed everything else.

 

[Chayan4400]

This is what you are lloking for;

http://www.amazon.de/Phanteks-PH-TC14PE-Prozessork%C3%BChler/dp/B005OREE38/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1429625207&sr=8-14&keywords=Phanteks

 

[n0af]

@aproov_jain The H80i is pretty loud from what I've heard, and it's not that good compared to air coolers.

 

[Archaic59]

@Archaic59 Are you sure it's better than the Dark Rock 3? It costs 20€ less on the German Amazon, and I can easily afford the Dark Rock 3 which I can also get in my country.

The H7 is designed more for good cooling, perfect fit and ram clearance. For pure performance, the Cryorig R1 Ultimate linked by RCFProd is the best and beats Dark Rock 3 easily.

 

[RCFProd]

The R1 Ultimate is great, performs really well.

It's your best option if shipping won't cost you much.

 

[Kohwali]

Just as a friendly suggestion I recommend stating that you live in Germany in the first post. It helps when people provide links to parts and the dollar to euro conversion isn't always as clean.

IMO those Cryorig air coolers look pretty nice, especially that R1 Ultimate. Find some air coolers you like the looks of in your price range and find their respective temperature benchmarks. This should help narrow down your results a lot.

 

[n0af]

@Chayan4400

Sadly, the Phanteks doesn't fit in my case. It's available but too big. The only suggested one that fits is the Cryorig H7. I'm not sure if I should give up on the case and get another one (case has to be white).

 

[n0af]

Decided for the Cryorig H7, it's a bit louder than the Dark Rock 3, but damn it's good looking, small and good performing.

 

[0x1eef]

Pity you don't want Noctua.
Dark Rock Pro 3 is an excellent cooler, with 1-2 degrees difference with Noctua D14. It's a PITA to install, though. Dark Rock 3 won't perform worse on your CPU, so you may go for it.
Cryorig seems to dominate air cooler market now though I wasn't able to get my hands on it.

 

[Chayan4400]

Well, try this:
https://www.nzxt.com/product/detail/38-havik-140-cpu-cooler

http://www.amazon.de/NZXT-Havik-140-CPU-K%C3%BChler-140mm/dp/B005869XYK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429630770&sr=8-1&keywords=nzxt+havik

Its discontinued, but its cooling performance is on par with the nh-d14:

http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cases_cooling/nzxt_havik_vs_noctua_nh-d14_review/1

If that won't fit, its smaller brother the havik 120 should:

https://www.nzxt.com/product/detail/37-havik-120

http://www.amazon.de/NZXT-HAVIK-120-CPU-K%C3%BChler-120mm/dp/B007N8X2R0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1429630770&sr=8-2&keywords=nzxt+havik

For the price, honestly this is the sleekest, best performing cooler that you can buy, and the 140 even shouldn't have any problems with tall RAM.

 

[Chayan4400]

The nxzt actually is comparable to the R1 Ultimate, with it keeping the CPU just 2C hotter than the R1.