Question Whats the best cooler for the Q9550

[LuKaWin10]

Hi, what is the best cooler for the Q9550? I want a cooler that can cool the Q9550 with no issues at all, and I am planning to overclock it to 3.6 GHz and higher!

Specs:

Case: DELUX ATX Mid-tower BMW style case

CPU: Q9550 clocked @ 3.6 GHz (wanna go higher) (Planning to get a Xeon E5450)

RAM: G.SKILL 800 MHz CL5, 5-5-5-15 1.8 to 1.9 V 4 GB (gonna get the other 4 soon)

GPU: GT 730

Motherboard: P35-DS3 rev 2.1

Cooler: AIGO ICE200PRO 95W tdp cooler (it does okay but I want a better cooler)

PSU: MSI MAG A650BN

 

[Mahzin]

low-profile cooler to not crash your motherboard, I recommend Noctua or CoolerMaster; even aluminium core is great, because my H115 by CoolerMaster (LGA 1155) has aluminium, is low profile & my CPU was hit 78ºC directly about 20 minutes of prime95 test. Without stress 34~45. Prefer always low-profile for coolers/GPUs, they'll not harm your system & with nice analysis/checking what will possibly purchase you'll have something top-notch, even spending an affordable price.

But please, coolers 95w or beyond & check the FAN, not only about rpm, but also CFM, noise, style.

 

[LuKaWin10]

low-profile cooler to not crash your motherboard, I recommend Noctua or CoolerMaster; even aluminium core is great, because my H115 by CoolerMaster (LGA 1155) has aluminium, is low profile & my CPU was hit 78ºC directly about 20 minutes of prime95 test. Without stress 34~45. Prefer always low-profile for coolers/GPUs, they'll not harm your system & with nice analysis/checking what will possibly purchase you'll have something top-notch, even spending an affordable price.

But please, coolers 95w or beyond & check the FAN, not only about rpm, but also CFM, noise, style.

Do you have any suggestions as I can fit big profile coolers and not low profile ones?

 

[Mahzin]

Do you have any suggestions as I can fit big profile coolers and not low profile ones?

No, but later I might do researches to help you if wish. Detail: put a good thermal grease, not thermal pad & avoid liquid metal, should be ceramic or silver thermal grease, but silver is better. I purchased one here from a local brand and it's marvelous. You apply & spread with a spreader making everything filled, but not exaggerating.

About more efficiency (regarding cooling): purchase a fan controller, with at least 8x spaces, then you fill then with nice CFM fans & +- rpm; you generate low-noise adjusting the knobs accordingly about the best performance not being noisy too, then you apply fans about: the side >>>>>> and the back <<<<<< (air out); up you bring fans down and right side you add one fan directioned to the motherboard about lower rpm.

My Sata 3 SSD is 20ºC maximum, low value = 17ºC, and I have only one Cooler Master 2300rpm (80mm) directioned to the motherboard & the regular cooler (CPU) with a nice FAN. I imagine with more fans & better management. Detail: I believe that hardware will be bad not about overheating, but underheating, then be careful, but 10ºC might be okay, you have to check.

 

[LuKaWin10]

No, but later I might do researches to help you if wish. Detail: put a good thermal grease, not thermal pad & avoid liquid metal, should be ceramic or silver thermal grease, but silver is better. I purchased one here from a local brand and it's marvelous. You apply & spread with a spreader making everything filled, but not exaggerating.

About more efficiency (regarding cooling): purchase a fan controller, with at least 8x spaces, then you fill then with nice CFM fans & +- rpm; you generate low-noise adjusting the knobs accordingly about the best performance not being noisy too, then you apply fans about: the side >>>>>> and the back <<<<<< (air out); up you bring fans down and right side you add one fan directioned to the motherboard about lower rpm.

My Sata 3 SSD is 20ºC maximum, low value = 17ºC, and I have only one Cooler Master 2300rpm (80mm) directioned to the motherboard & the regular cooler (CPU) with a nice FAN. I imagine with more fans & better management. Detail: I believe that hardware will be bad not about overheating, but underheating, then be careful, but 10ºC might be okay, you have to check.

Great thanks, I have Arctic MX-4 paste

 

[Misgar]

Do you have any suggestions as I can fit big profile coolers and not low profile ones?

The main problem is finding a manufacturer of large coolers that still fit LGA 775.

Noctua do an LGA 775/1366 bracket which they claim fits any of their modern coolers.
https://noctua.at/en/nm-i3-mounting-kit

If you want a big (expensive) air cooler try the old (cheaper) NH-D15:
https://noctua.at/en/nh-d15

The NH-D15 should cope with a heavily overclocked Q9550.
https://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_2/Intel-Core 2 Quad Q9550 EU80569PJ073N (BX80569Q9550).html

 

[LuKaWin10]

Or maybe the AIGO ICE400SE? This one here:
I just found this on AliExpress:
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EH4fOdR


This one is for 160W TDP and it has 4 heat pipes!

The main problem is finding a manufacturer of large coolers that still fit LGA 775.

Noctua do an LGA 775/1366 bracket which they claim fits any of their modern coolers.
https://noctua.at/en/nm-i3-mounting-kit

If you want a big (expensive) air cooler try the old (cheaper) NH-D15:
https://noctua.at/en/nh-d15

The NH-D15 should cope with a heavily overclocked Q9550.
https://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_2/Intel-Core 2 Quad Q9550 EU80569PJ073N (BX80569Q9550).html

 

[Misgar]

This one is for 160W TDP and it has 4 heat pipes!

Or maybe the AIGO ICE400SE? This one here:
I just found this on AliExpress:

No it doesn't, it only has 2 heatpipes!!!! Look more carefully.

It also has pretty Rainbow Lights (according to the description). What more could you possibly desire?

At only £2.74 (under $4), I nearly fell off my chair in a fit of helpless giggles. It's really is that bad.

A single 90mm fan and a horribly lightweight construction is not going to cool 160W. The Noctua is a huge chunk of metal with two BIG 150mm fans.

By all means purchase this tiny heatsink, plus a hot glue gun to stick it to the motherboard.

Did you notice the AliExpress fan doesn't mention LGA 775 mounting? That's why you'll need a hot glue gun to install it (joke).

 

[faalin]

Cheap but should get the job done

Cooler Master Hyper H412R $22.99
or
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo $55.00

 

[LuKaWin10]

No it doesn't, it only has 2 heatpipes!!!! Look more carefully.

It also has pretty Rainbow Lights (according to the description). What more could you possibly desire?

At only £2.74 (under $4), I nearly fell off my chair in a fit of helpless giggles. It's really is that bad.

A single 90mm fan and a horribly lightweight construction is not going to cool 160W. The Noctua is a huge chunk of metal with two BIG 150mm fans.

By all means purchase this tiny heatsink, plus a hot glue gun to stick it to the motherboard.

Did you notice the AliExpress fan doesn't mention LGA 775 mounting? That's why you'll need a hot glue gun to install it (joke).

Lmaoooo

 

[LuKaWin10]

Cheap but should get the job done

Cooler Master Hyper H412R $22.99
or
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo $55.00

Thanks!

 

[LuKaWin10]

No it doesn't, it only has 2 heatpipes!!!! Look more carefully.

It also has pretty Rainbow Lights (according to the description). What more could you possibly desire?

At only £2.74 (under $4), I nearly fell off my chair in a fit of helpless giggles. It's really is that bad.

A single 90mm fan and a horribly lightweight construction is not going to cool 160W. The Noctua is a huge chunk of metal with two BIG 150mm fans.

By all means purchase this tiny heatsink, plus a hot glue gun to stick it to the motherboard.

Did you notice the AliExpress fan doesn't mention LGA 775 mounting? That's why you'll need a hot glue gun to install it (joke).

Honestly I have 2 s**t chips. Both run at a crappy Vcore, that you just cannot set higher nor close to 1.4 V cuz it is gonna shorten its lifespan. Literally this E6750 crashes so even mild overclocks are impossible cuz the default Vcore is 1.35000V. I just hate how these 2 chips have high starting Vcores and making them lower whilst overclocking leads to BSODs and crashes.

 

[LuKaWin10]

The main problem is finding a manufacturer of large coolers that still fit LGA 775.

Noctua do an LGA 775/1366 bracket which they claim fits any of their modern coolers.
https://noctua.at/en/nm-i3-mounting-kit

If you want a big (expensive) air cooler try the old (cheaper) NH-D15:
https://noctua.at/en/nh-d15

The NH-D15 should cope with a heavily overclocked Q9550.
https://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_2/Intel-Core 2 Quad Q9550 EU80569PJ073N (BX80569Q9550).html

Honestly I am thinking of just getting the NH-D15 and the mounting kit for it and calling it a day. Its much better even with its price I can atleast get it easily

 

[LuKaWin10]

No it doesn't, it only has 2 heatpipes!!!! Look more carefully.

It also has pretty Rainbow Lights (according to the description). What more could you possibly desire?

At only £2.74 (under $4), I nearly fell off my chair in a fit of helpless giggles. It's really is that bad.

A single 90mm fan and a horribly lightweight construction is not going to cool 160W. The Noctua is a huge chunk of metal with two BIG 150mm fans.

By all means purchase this tiny heatsink, plus a hot glue gun to stick it to the motherboard.

Did you notice the AliExpress fan doesn't mention LGA 775 mounting? That's why you'll need a hot glue gun to install it (joke).

Yup I'm cooked. I am entirely cooked. I put the Q9550 back in and in BIOS it is super unstable. I literally went to default settings and it is so slow and glitchy my PC turned off by itself. I might be f***** right now since it is super unstable without OC. I am gonna try fixing it!

 

[LuKaWin10]

Update: i am a Moron and I forgot to plug in the CPU_FAN header in, that's why the temp was 95°C ( could've baked a chicken).

 

[LuKaWin10]

Cheap but should get the job done

Cooler Master Hyper H412R $22.99
or
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo $55.00

Should I take the Noctua NH-U9B SE2 maybe? I can buy it for 65 euros

 

[LuKaWin10]

Cheap but should get the job done

Cooler Master Hyper H412R $22.99
or
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo $55.00

Hey, will the Hyper 212 Evo V2 maybe work? This Amazon link works and all but it does not deliver to my country (Croatia).

 

[LuKaWin10]

No it doesn't, it only has 2 heatpipes!!!! Look more carefully.

It also has pretty Rainbow Lights (according to the description). What more could you possibly desire?

At only £2.74 (under $4), I nearly fell off my chair in a fit of helpless giggles. It's really is that bad.

A single 90mm fan and a horribly lightweight construction is not going to cool 160W. The Noctua is a huge chunk of metal with two BIG 150mm fans.

By all means purchase this tiny heatsink, plus a hot glue gun to stick it to the motherboard.

Did you notice the AliExpress fan doesn't mention LGA 775 mounting? That's why you'll need a hot glue gun to install it (joke).

Hey, in the end I thought of getting the Hyper 212 EVO Version2. On the Cooler Master website it supports LGA775. Please tell if i should take it or not!

 

[Misgar]

Please tell if i should take it or not!

The Hyper 212 won't have anywhere near the same cooling capacity as the NH-D15 (or even one of the slightly smaller twin tower dual fan Noctua heatsinks).

I suspect an NH-D15 is overkill for your Q9550 and it's very expensive, but Noctua is one of the few companies who still list an LGA 775 mounting. You could probably get away with a smaller and cheaper Noctua than the NH-D15.

I've used the Hyper 212 in the past and they're OK on low to mid range CPUs, but they cannot cope with really high power. More importantly, the web site does not list LGA 775 fitting for the 212 so it's back to the glue gun.

The confusing thing is this posting (below) about overclocking a Q9550 has someone using a Hyper 212, so maybe it came with LGA 775 in 2011?

https://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=354376

I think I've got a Q9550 lurking in an old TrueNAS server with eight 2TB SAS hard disks. I'll fire it up tomorrow and see if I overclocked it.

Someone got 3.6GHz on a Q9550 back in 2010 with Vcore 1.2250V and there's talk of trying for 4GHz. Your results may differ!
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/q9550-overclocking.18191425/

 

[LuKaWin10]

The Hyper 212 won't have anywhere near the same cooling capacity as the NH-D15 (or even one of the slightly smaller twin tower dual fan Noctua heatsinks).

I suspect an NH-D15 is overkill for your Q9550 and it's very expensive, but Noctua is one of the few companies who still list an LGA 775 mounting. You could probably get away with a smaller and cheaper Noctua than the NH-D15.

I've used the Hyper 212 in the past and they're OK on low to mid range CPUs, but they cannot cope with really high power. More importantly, the web site does not list LGA 775 fitting for the 212 so it's back to the glue gun.

The confusing thing is this posting (below) about overclocking a Q9550 has someone using a Hyper 212, so maybe it came with LGA 775 in 2011?

https://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=354376

I think I've got a Q9550 lurking in an old TrueNAS server with eight 2TB SAS hard disks. I'll fire it up tomorrow and see if I overclocked it.

Someone got 3.6GHz on a Q9550 back in 2010 with Vcore 1.2250V and there's talk of trying for 4GHz. Your results may differ!
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/q9550-overclocking.18191425/

Alright, good! Thanks for the feedback. Results may differ because of the steppings or an unlucky chip I may think of that. I guess I could get the NH-D15 but it is very expensive. Thats why I opted on the Hyper 212 EVO V2.

 

[LuKaWin10]

The Hyper 212 won't have anywhere near the same cooling capacity as the NH-D15 (or even one of the slightly smaller twin tower dual fan Noctua heatsinks).

I suspect an NH-D15 is overkill for your Q9550 and it's very expensive, but Noctua is one of the few companies who still list an LGA 775 mounting. You could probably get away with a smaller and cheaper Noctua than the NH-D15.

I've used the Hyper 212 in the past and they're OK on low to mid range CPUs, but they cannot cope with really high power. More importantly, the web site does not list LGA 775 fitting for the 212 so it's back to the glue gun.

The confusing thing is this posting (below) about overclocking a Q9550 has someone using a Hyper 212, so maybe it came with LGA 775 in 2011?

https://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=354376

I think I've got a Q9550 lurking in an old TrueNAS server with eight 2TB SAS hard disks. I'll fire it up tomorrow and see if I overclocked it.

Someone got 3.6GHz on a Q9550 back in 2010 with Vcore 1.2250V and there's talk of trying for 4GHz. Your results may differ!
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/q9550-overclocking.18191425/

Well I could get the NH-D15 for Christmas and a Xeon E5450 (If I beg my parents to buy me it), but I don't know if there will be enough clearance so I can fill all of my 4 RAM slots?

 

[triplex1]

https://www.thermalright.com/product/true-black-rev-c/

 

[triplex1]

and this for O.C
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Thermalright-HR-02-Macho-Processors-TY-14U/dp/B08CVNHK7B

 

[LuKaWin10]

and this for O.C
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Thermalright-HR-02-Macho-Processors-TY-14U/dp/B08CVNHK7B

Is there any one I can possibly buy on a Croatian webshop?

 

[triplex1]

Is there any one I can possibly buy on a Croatian webshop?

Computer Store Berlin

Good store, I made a purchase a few years ago, you buy without fear.I had both the 2 coolers and this one in version B, only with something like this you will achieve what you want, otherwise you will go for water cooling which I do not recommend because the money will be more