Best low profile fan for i7 3930K?

[sebazvideo]

I'm thinking about upgrading my PC to this CPU, but then I found out that it comes without a fan. Currently I have one of those huge Cooler Masters that does its job, but I don't like how much space it takes and it's way too close to one memory stick. Since I'm not planning on overclocking the 3930K, I just want a simple low profile heatsink and fan, the kind that normally comes in Intel retail CPUs. The one that would seem to fit that for LGA 2011 is the Intel RTS2011AC, but there's a review on Newegg.com saying that in this fan "the contact patch on the bottom of the cooler is only about 40% the size of the area of the CPU top". He says that he "couldn't install the OS because it would temp out at 80C before booting from the install disc".

It would seem to me that he either got a failed one or that he didn't install it correctly, but that thing about the contact patch only 40% of the CPU doesn't sound great to me.

I just need a normal size heatsink and fan that will allow me to run the processor at stock speeds at 100% for extended periods of time staying well below the limit temperature.

So what other options do I have? Browsing Newegg I see most choices are huge fans and the low profile ones mostly have low ratings. Is there any good choices for low profile fans? This would be used with a ASUS P9X79 PRO LGA 2011 Intel X79 Motherboard if it makes any difference.

Thanks,

Sebastian

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Low profile on a x79 system? Near impossible. Closest would be a AIO watercooling system

 

[sebazvideo]

Low profile on a x79 system? Near impossible.

Why is that?

 

[crazymonkeyzero]

Why is that?

Because the TDP of the chip is 130W bro which is much more than it's 1155 counterparts. Plus X79 is an enthusiast platform, so it designed with the expectation that users will also invest in high end aftermarket coolers. If you're going with air, better use 120mm fan/heasksinks (noctua nhd14?). And as T_Yamamoto said above, liquid cooling is the only real "low profile" solution.

 

[sebazvideo]

I get what you say about the X79 being an enthusiast platform, but I don't intend to overclock it, one because I don't have time to do trial and error like I did with my current AMD 1090T, which even after weeks of trials I couldn't get 24hs of Prime95 running without an error (I think it was like 20 hrs at best), but also because I want a system that is absolutely reliable and fast, and this CPU is almost twice as fast than the 1090T at stock speeds.
If I have to order a giant fan I would just order the LGA 2011 brackets for my COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus, but I not only I don't like the size of it, I've been worried from the moment I installed it about the amount of pressure that heatsink puts on the CPU and the motherboard. I know that both of those are strong, but it seemed to me that the pressure is excessive. Do all of these big heatsinks have that amount of pressure, or is that a Cooler Master thing? I mean, all the heatsinks I installed before, all of them the stock fan that came with Intel CPUs, didn't have anywhere near the amount of pressure this thing has, and they worked fine, even at 100% load for over 24 hrs. They still do in fact because the machines I did with them are up and running.

To be honest, I would be perfectly happy with the Intel RTS2011AC, but I don't understand what that guy said that the heatsink touches only 40% of the CPU's surface. Can that even be possible? I know that the heatsinks Intel puts with its CPUs, or in this case sells separately, are not meant for overclocking, but only 40% of the surface? Just doesn't make sense. Unfortunately I can't find any reviews on this fan to verify that.

One last question, if I have to use the Hyper 212 Plus, what's the best paste I can get for it?

Thanks

 

[T_Yamamoto]

The actually chip is inside of the metal casing (sorry for my lack of technical words). The internals/actual chip part doesn't cover the whole inside of the metal casing.

Just look up images of a chip delidded and you'll understand.

It doesn't need to cover the whole metal casing for it to work

 

[DSF]

What else are you putting in the system?

 

[lehtv]

I'm confused why the size of the current heatsink is a problem. Do you have to manipulate the insides of your PC often? Why does it matter if it's close to the RAM? The RAM doesn't care

 

[TheStu]

I'm confused why the size of the current heatsink is a problem. Do you have to manipulate the insides of your PC often? Why does it matter if it's close to the RAM? The RAM doesn't care

Honey RAM don't care, Honey RAM don't give a s*!

Lehtv is right though, if it isn't actually touching, then you are all good.

Your other question about thermal paste, Arctic Silver is always a good choice.

 

[sebazvideo]

I'm confused why the size of the current heatsink is a problem. Do you have to manipulate the insides of your PC often? Why does it matter if it's close to the RAM? The RAM doesn't care

I think it's kinda touching, but not the sink, the border of the fan is. Not a huge problem since it's plastic, and I could take it out because there's a fan on the other side, but I haven't checked if the new motherboard has everything in the same places my current one is.

I would still prefer just a low profile typical small heatsink and fan.

 

[sebazvideo]

So if I have to buy one of these big coolers, do all of them require such a huge amount of pressure on the motherboard and the CPU like the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus, or are other brands less straining?

 

[BrightCandle]

X79 is not the appropriate platform for you. If you want low profile you also want low power. That is unless you intend to run a server like low profile fan at 5000-7000 rpm. It'll be really noisy and loud (like server room loud obviously) but I can recommend such things.

Since you are not overclocking you can find more normal sized heatsinks + fans that specifically say they can cool 130W TDP, that is the critical part. But honestly since you already have a nice heatsink + fan I don't see the point of changing it unless you have to.

 

[lehtv]

If you just want to clear the CPU area, take a look at Antec Kuhler H2O 620. What is your case?

 

[sebazvideo]

X79 is not the appropriate platform for you. If you want low profile you also want low power. That is unless you intend to run a server like low profile fan at 5000-7000 rpm. It'll be really noisy and loud (like server room loud obviously) but I can recommend such things.

It's not really X79 what I care about, it's the 3930k because I edit video and do a lot of heavy stuff in After Effects. The 3930k kicks ass in those judging by benchmarks, and I debated myself for a week to get it or to wait until there was an Ivy Bridge 6 core, but it doesn't seem like that is going to happen anytime soon.

My biggest concern is not the size of the cooler, but rather the crazy amount of pressure that the CM Hyper 212+ puts on the motherboard and the CPU. Call me paranoid if you want, but as I was installing that thing two years ago I felt like the motherboard was going to break. If I can find another one of those big coolers that doesn't require that amount of pressure I would be happy.

But I have some confusion about this now, because I read that the LGA2011 socket doesn't allow back plates, which is the way I had to install the CM 212+. So even if I buy the brackets for this socket, how would it be installed? I thought all these big coolers needed a back plate.

 

[sebazvideo]

If you just want to clear the CPU area, take a look at Antec Kuhler H2O 620. What is your case?

That cooler is not for LGA2011. My case is a Cooler Master ATCS 840.

 

[lehtv]

That cooler is not for LGA2011.

Antec will ship you an LGA2011 mounting bracket for free, just ask them. These coolers were released just before LGA2011 was released, and they didn't deem it necessary to include the kit in the packaging after that since LGA2011 is a niche platform.

My case is a Cooler Master ATCS 840.

That'll do. Just install the radiator+fan in the rear 120mm slot.

 

[sebazvideo]

Thanks, I'm going to check on that.

 

[BrightCandle]

All coolers these days apply what feels like ridiculous pressure. Its actually tightly specified to be that way to maximise heat transfer. Its nothing to worry about, its actually kind of normal to have this feeling that its really tight. The CPU is actually relying on the cooler to bow the motherboard and the CPU to get a flat contact patch.

Some of the coolers do make it easier to apply the required pressure than others of course but with the right 2011 bracket you should be good with the existing cooler. The pressure is the same regardless.

 

[sebazvideo]

I think I'm just going to keep the Hyper 212+ and order the brackets for 2011. If I'm going to need a huge cooler, why spend extra money anyway?

Is there any special precaution I need to take when removing it from my current motherboard and CPU? Once I unscrew all the screws, will it just come out easily?

 

[nsafreak]

The thermal paste may have hardened a bit so I wouldn't just pull it straight off. Twist it from side to side gently and then it should come off without issue.

 

[Pneumothorax]

I think I'm just going to keep the Hyper 212+ and order the brackets for 2011. If I'm going to need a huge cooler, why spend extra money anyway?

Is there any special precaution I need to take when removing it from my current motherboard and CPU? Once I unscrew all the screws, will it just come out easily?

Don't understand your fear of 'too much force', unless you're having ups ship your rig after putting it together....
Not sure how AMD motherboard sockets are made, but I've been bending my intel motherboards with big coolers since the socket 775 days. Heck even the stock intel 1155 cooler will bend the mobo! Besides a 2011 socket is much bigger than a 1155, therefore there should be less force per square inch on the socket.

 

[sebazvideo]

Don't understand your fear of 'too much force', unless you're having ups ship your rig after putting it together....

I just don't like circuits bending that much, that's all. Even if these boards are much thicker than typical circuit boards, I don't understand why can't they find a more efficient solution than exerting so much pressure on not only the motherboard, but the socket as well.

 

[lehtv]

That's probably because the pressure applied doesn't have any downsides. It's already an efficient solution.