Coolermaster Hyper 212+ or Xigmatek Dark Knight for i5 2500k? (Same price)

[popsicles]

I want to OC my i5 2500k and have these 2 options to look at, each of which is $25.

Which one would be the better purchase?

 

[ensign_lee]

The 212 is amazing. I'd go with that.

With my i5-2500k overclocked to 4.5 Ghz, I didn't even break 80 celcius at 100% load (came close, but not quite)

 

[GaiaHunter]

Both are pretty much the same - buy the one with better/more mounting brackets.

 

[nyker96]

no contest 212+ but I'd add a little more $40 and get Mugen 2 SCMG-2100 from newegg. that will give you more cooling.

 

[GaiaHunter]

no contest 212+ but I'd add a little more $40 and get Mugen 2 SCMG-2100 from newegg. that will give you more cooling.

Really, no contest?

http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2346&page=4

http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2346&page=5

Shame that the DK-1203 actually beats the cm212+, even though not by much and both coolers are pretty much carbon copy of each other, but hey CM212+ no contest...

 

[Athadeus]

I have a Mugen 2 on my i7 930 and it is cool and quiet. I'll probably be getting one of the Xigmatech HSFs for my 2500k over the 212+ because I think it will look better in my system

 

[Borealis7]

Really, no contest?

http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2346&page=4

http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2346&page=5

Shame that the DK-1203 actually beats the cm212+, even though not by much and both coolers are pretty much carbon copy of each other, but hey CM212+ no contest...

well...frostytech results are...problematic. while i do go there myself for heatsink reviews, you need to remember they dont benchmark with actual CPUs, but rather with heat plates and thermometers. so look at Frostytech's results as load temp delta @ stock speed.

i wonder why Anandtech stopped doing heatsink reviews, i used to love those, but the graph became very crowded. perhaps only include heatsinks in the same price range as the one being reviewed plus the 5 top ones for comparison?

 

[GaiaHunter]

well...frostytech results are...problematic. while i do go there myself for heatsink reviews, you need to remember they dont benchmark with actual CPUs, but rather with heat plates and thermometers. so look at Frostytech's results as load temp delta @ stock speed.

i wonder why Anandtech stopped doing heatsink reviews, i used to love those, but the graph became very crowded. perhaps only include heatsinks in the same price range as the one being reviewed plus the 5 top ones for comparison?

If that is the problem http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cpu-cooler-heatsink-roundup,2788-9.html .

This one is the Gaia which is lighter than the Darknight (460g vs 600g).

 

[Borealis7]

something doesnt seem right about these temps. normal room temperature is 20-25C, these tests show 60-65C above ambient. are the best coolers available running the CPU @ 90C load?? i know its overclocked but still that seems way too high.

 

[Anubis]

the older I7s run hotter then the new ones but 90C does seem high. my 920 running at 4.0 with HT on will max out at 82C under LinX after about 5 hours. I use a VenomousX which is on par with most of those listed.

benchmark reviews has nice cooler reviews and compairisons as well. dont know if the ones you are looking at are listed however

 

[xd_1771]

212+ on Newegg is a poor buy, it costs MORE than a Scythe Mugen 2. It's a ripoff at the $50 they make you pay for. Either buy it elsewhere or buy a different cooler. The XIgmatek GAIA is a version of the Xigmatek Dark Knight with a few improvements i.e. push pull fan compatibility and better mounting options.

 

[TakeNoPrisoners]

I like my Hyper 212+.

 

[Concillian]

xigmatek with a screw mount is my vote.

Xigmatek coolers at least used to come with pins and they'd show alright in reviews, but once you get the optional screw mounts they would do better. Dunno if they still work the same way.

The Hyper comes with a better mounting than the Xigmatek pins, but the Xigmatek screw mount is way beefier and I'm sure results in better performance.

 

[Termie]

Really, no contest?

http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2346&page=4

http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2346&page=5

Shame that the DK-1203 actually beats the cm212+, even though not by much and both coolers are pretty much carbon copy of each other, but hey CM212+ no contest...

Actually, you pulled the wrong review. Here's a recent review of the Gaia that includes the Dark Knight and the 212 Plus: http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2595&page=5. Sure enough, they're identical.

 

[Dark Shroud]

XIGMATEK Gaia SD1283 with bracket $30.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233082

 

[996GT2]

Hyper 212+ is the best budget cooler on the market right now. For $30 it's a great deal.

The next significant upgrade would be Noctua NH-D14 or Thermalright Silver Arrow, and both are considerably more expensive (although both will give you a ~10C drop in load temps compared to the 212+ while operating much more quietly).