[SOLVED] Which liquid cooler should I get?

[squaddie]

I currently only have default air cooling, and it isn't that good. It regularly exceeds the recommended temp (80 C) and averages 84 C without any overclock and with me manually turning the fan up to 80%. I would like to buy a liquid cooler, but I don't know jack about them.

Do I only need to consider my GPU (RTX 2080) when buying a liquid cooler, or is it a little more complex and does it need to also be compatible with my motherboard/case?

If it's the latter, does anybody have any recommendations for cheaper coolers less than 70 dollars? My computer is https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-ome...inish-in-shadow-black/6285801.p?skuId=6285801

 

[Barty1884]

In the <$70 range, I wouldn't bother with liquid cooling, honestly.

For the money, a cheap(ish) air cooler would suffice for a locked 8700 in that case:

$20-$30 for any of these would be more than enough:
https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/hJFPxr,YdJkcf,hyQRsY,w3c48d/

 

[jojesa]

You could install a 120mm water cooler and you will need to remove the motherboard.
There are air coolers (Scythe Mugen 5, Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO, etc) that will perform as good and will also help to cool the motherboard.

 

[squaddie]

Will these air coolers replace my current subpar ones, or will I just add them on top of the current?

 

[Barty1884]

They'd replace your CPU cooler.

 

[DMAN999]

I completely agree with the posts above.
A decent 4 or 6 pipe Dual Fan Tower Air Cooler will cool your CPU and increase airflow across your motherboard as well.
Just be sure to check the maximum cooler height supported by your case before buying.
Also check the cooler specs to make sure it will not interfere with your RAM.

 

[Finstar]

Is the back slot even 120mm? It looks like a 92mm to me.
Anyway, i'd suggest a good aircooler, and make sure to measure the height correctly so that it actually fits into the case.

 

[squaddie]

Is the back slot even 120mm? It looks like a 92mm to me.
Anyway, i'd suggest a good aircooler, and make sure to measure the height correctly so that it actually fits into the case.

How do I check the height of my case? Is there some program on my PC that can tell me, or do I just find which case I have and then google the height?

 

[jojesa]

How do I check the height of my case? Is there some program on my PC that can tell me, or do I just find which case I have and then google the height?

Take a measuring tape or ruler and measure the distance from the motherboard to where the case side panel should be.

 

[squaddie]

Take a measuring tape or ruler and measure the distance from the motherboard to where the case side panel should be.

Thank you for the help

 

[cryoburner]

Some other options, if you are willing to spend slightly more than those other coolers for something that might match your black case interior a little better...

Hyper 212 Black:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Hy...ck-edition-420-cfm-cpu-cooler-rr-212s-20pk-r1

It's newer, and should cool slightly better than a 212 LED, while being black. : P Or there's the lighted version for $5 more than the standard black fan blade version...

Hyper 212 RGB Black:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/hH...ck-edition-573-cfm-cpu-cooler-rr-212s-20pc-r1

Another option might be the Arctic Freezer 34 Esports, which comes in versions with one or two fans, again priced about $5 apart. The second fan only helps slightly with cooling, since even a single fan moves air through the fins adequately...

Freezer 34 Esports:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/CL8j4D/arctic-freezer-34-esports-cpu-cooler-acfre00056a

Freezer 34 Esports Duo:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/dmXnTW/arctic-freezer-34-esports-duo-cpu-cooler-acfre00060a

Those are not lighted, but are available in versions with either red, green, yellow or white accents around the fans. I won't link to all the variants here. You might also find the Freezer 33 Esports around the same price, and they are quite similar, with the 34 just using a different model of fan.

 

[squaddie]

I completely agree with the posts above.
A decent 4 or 6 pipe Dual Fan Tower Air Cooler will cool your CPU and increase airflow across your motherboard as well.
Just be sure to check the maximum cooler height supported by your case before buying.
Also check the cooler specs to make sure it will not interfere with your RAM.

How do I tell if the cooler will interfere with ram

 

[DMAN999]

How do I tell if the cooler will interfere with ram

You need to check the specs of the Cooler you want to buy on the manufacturers site and also check the height of whatever RAM you are going to buy.
Some coolers like my Arctic eSports cooler allow you to slide the fan up a little if you have taller RAM so it will clear it, other coolers are offset to ensure that the fan clears the RAM.

 

[Karadjgne]

First : information. That means absolutely need to know cpu clearance height. 154mm, 160mm, 170mm etc makes a huge difference in choices.

Second : airflow. What other fans are in the case, all I see is the 1x exhaust and HP info isn't forthcoming on included fans or dimensions. A great cooler with no airflow will still give high temps.

I'd call/contact HP and ask them about clearance and you can look under that front cover to see if there are any fans.