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Are aftermarket CPU coolers really worth it?

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DougoMan

Senior member
I just got a Cooler Master 212 HSF and although it lowered the temperature, it did not make any difference in how far my i5 2500k would overclock.

And now that I think back, most systems I have built have been the same way. Temperature just does not seem to be that big a factor in overclocking ability. At least in my experience.

At least it looks cool.
 
Weird. I found DougoMan's question timely and am looking forward to a reasonable response.

Not sure whats prompting the dickheaded response.
 
You posted in the other thread that you can not get your 2500K over 4.2Ghz. You may have gotten a bottom of the barrel 2500K or you are not oc'ing it correctly. Most 2500Ks should do 4.2Ghz with the stock cooler and at stock voltage.

What vcore and temps are you at under load, Prime 95, IBT, LinX?

Intel has not yet officially come out with Sandy Bridge vcore specs. Some say not to go over 1.35V but others are going higher.

If you don't go over 1.35Vcore the CM 212+ heat sink should be adequate. Under load (Prime 95, large FFts, 20 hrs) my hottest core is 64C. Of course, your case cooling and ambient temp is also going to affect your CPU temp.
If you are going to run higher than 1.35Vcore you are going to need a better heat sink, i.e., the Thermalright Silver Arrow.
 
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Are aftermarket CPU coolers really worth it?
There a waste of money to me and I havent bought one for myself since 2003.
 
Typically, unless you are thermally limited in your overclock, an aftermarket cooler or even watercooling will NOT help.
 
Dougo .. i'd think your issue is either RAM or Voltage; have you verified your voltages are reasonable? i.e., you're not trying to go 4.4ghz at 1.11 volts.

Also, see if you can turn your memory down and crank the CPU up.
 
Are aftermarket CPU coolers really worth it?
Click to expand...
For overclocking, maybe.

For quiet computing, definitely.

I'm running a stock Asus full-tower desktop with a Core i7-2600. The stock cooler was crap, frequently ramping up fan-speed to cope with any heavy computing.

I replaced it with a MegahalemsB and a Scythe S-Flex fan. I can't hear the computer at all anymore, even with all cores pegged at 100% running Handbrake.
 
It depends. The stock cooler on the Phenom X6 (at least the 1055T model) doesn't do a great job cooling it, and it's VERY loud when the CPU heats up.

A $20 aftermarket cooler does a better job more quietly. Other times...usually not worth it.
 
Depends. If you're not doing anything more than a moderate overclock and you don't mind high temps and some noise, then no need to bother. However, I find with aftermarket I can squeak out a couple hundred Mhz, at lower Vcore, lower temps, and lower noise. To me, it's worth $30-40.
 
Yes, unless you spend 65% as much for the cooler as the cpu itself.
Simply put, dont buy a Athlon x2 640 and pair it with a h100.
Do some research and get a cooler that will keep your temps below 75c at your cpu's top overclock.
 
I ran my e2160 at 3ghz ( from 1.7ghz) on the stock OEM cooler/fan fine.

It wasnt the quietest solution though. Which is why I bought a 212+ for the 2500k.

Embarrassingly I've yet to clock it at all! 😀
 
i have a phenom II 965 BE and later got a hyper 212, from a combined overclock and noise perspective it was definitely worth it.

The hyper 212 you can get for as low as $15 when its on sale.
The stock HSF sounds like a dentists drill at load and it gives me a headache.
With the hyper 212 i can overclock really far and it is still quiet.
 
of course they're worth it! for Heat-Freaks like me...dual 120mm metal fans mounted on my side panel above my video card. one 5.25" front panel (above the CD) is open, my case is like a blow-dryer 🙂 but much quieter of course.

but my CM Hyper 212 (non-plus) is getting old. my next buy would be a Zalman CNPS10X, for future proofing.
 
For quiet operation stock coolers doesn't do a good job in general. In particular AMD stock HSF's produces unbearable noise.

Worth it - depends. While I for one consider silence almost invaluable, others might find that the benefit doesn't justify the price - that's highly subjective I suppose.
 
OS said:
i have a phenom II 965 BE and later got a hyper 212, from a combined overclock and noise perspective it was definitely worth it.

The hyper 212 you can get for as low as $15 when its on sale.
The stock HSF sounds like a dentists drill at load and it gives me a headache.
With the hyper 212 i can overclock really far and it is still quiet.
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I agree.

My 940 BE is humming along perfectly fine at 3.6Ghz with the Hyper 212 that I paid $19 CAD for it (were not on sales).
 
Considering that $20-30 will get you coolers like the CM212+ and the Xigmatek Gaia, that will considerably cool better and at produce much lower noise levels, yes.

On the other hand that won't make a dog chip into a super overclocker.
 
huh? i can't overclock my 6 core 100mhz without an aftermarket cooler cause temps skyrocket to 70c! Stock cooler sucks as$. With a TT Frio im running @ a smooth 3800mhz with max temps of 48c (in the summer!). so yes, they are very useful for overclocking.
 
jpeyton said:
For overclocking, maybe.

For quiet computing, definitely.

I'm running a stock Asus full-tower desktop with a Core i7-2600. The stock cooler was crap, frequently ramping up fan-speed to cope with any heavy computing.

I replaced it with a MegahalemsB and a Scythe S-Flex fan. I can't hear the computer at all anymore, even with all cores pegged at 100% running Handbrake.
Click to expand...
what? my stock 2500k cooler is about as quiet as possible. even under full load for IBT, I do not hear it ramp up at all. heck my case fans are louder than the 2500k cooler.
 
poohbear said:
huh? i can't overclock my 6 core 100mhz without an aftermarket cooler cause temps skyrocket to 70c! Stock cooler sucks as$. With a TT Frio im running @ a smooth 3800mhz with max temps of 48c (in the summer!). so yes, they are very useful for overclocking.
Click to expand...
no not all stock coolers suck but the AMD X6 stock coolers sure do. they are loud and allow almost no room for overclocking. the Sandy Bridge coolers do NOT have to be replaced unless doing heavy overclocking. they are quiet and can handle a mild oc if need be. but of course its worth it to get an aftermarket cooler to keep temps down and allow better overclocking.
 
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Like someone else said, a cooler isn't going to transform a dog chip into a miracle.

I would think its obvious though -- a CPU that gets too hot will not be completely stable, my CPU definitely crashes constantly in the 80C+ area. Better cooling gives you a higher stable overclock, a few 100 mhz, potentially a lower vcore, less noise in most cases, and better cpu longevity. Just as a reminder CPU's don't die overnight, its a process that happens over months...running high voltages/temps 24/7 takes the toll eventually. If you're running stock speeds or minor overclocks it doesn't matter, I guess? But the question presented in this thread is very confusing to me, as it should be common sense - if you want a maximum stable overclock.
 
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What killed me with the stock coolers a couple builds ago was the Intel with the fins in a circle like spokes on a wheel with the fan on top, blowing down.

I noticed the temps going way up so I looked inside and saw that the fan would blow dust down and into the fins totally clogging them.

I couldn't get the thing blown out the dust was trapped in the center of the spokes. I had to take the fan off and use a toothpick to try to clean it. Most good coolers have the fins horizontal so when you blow air it passes right through
 
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