Cryorig C7, Thermalright AXP-200 Muscle, Cryorig C1, or Reeven Steropes RC-1206b for a i7 7700k ?

[pcslookout]

Cryorig C7, Thermalright AXP-200 Muscle, Cryorig C1, or Reeven Steropes RC-1206b for a i7 7700k ?

I have 75 mm to work with. Maybe 88.5 mm.

If there is something better out there I am all ears.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Here is a comparison review of the Reeven Steropes at TweakTown.

This gives you an idea of how that cooler stands up against a range of coolers that include AiO dual-fan units like the Kraken X61, or against other high-end air-coolers like the Noctua NH-D14.

You might want to search for other reviews that include the other units of interest, for instance the Cryorig C7 .

Two or more comparison reviews that include OTHER brands or models as well as any one or two of those you cited allow you to INFER a performance advantage or disadvantage by applying the transitivity axiom: "A > B AND B > C THEREFORE A > C."

Note in this latter review, the Reeven outperforms the Cryorig, but both are trumped by the no-frills Hyper 212 EVO. I would say if you aren't planning to overclock to any EXTREME, the 212 EVO would be adequate. Another member used a 212 EVO to overclock a Skylake to 4.5Ghz, although that was about the limit given the stress-test temperatures of just over 80C. If you aren't planning to overclock at all, any of those units would be adequate.

You apparently have chosen a case, and you know how much clearance it has.

If you ARE planning to overclock the i7-7700K, and if you ARE COMMITTED to using the case that only gives you 75 to 89mm clearance, you could also consider sending the processor to Silicon Lottery for "de-lidding" and "re-lidding" with Liquid Ultra. This might get you a 10 to 15C temperature advantage -- maybe a bit more. Last time I checked, Silly-Lots charged about $50 for the service. Or you could attempt to do it yourself with a Rocket tool, a tube of CLU and some silicon-rubber adhesive-sealant. I recommend sending the processor to Silicon Lottery.

What case is in your plan?

 

[Valantar]

For a 7700K in a low-profile environment, I'm tempted to argue that delidding is the only way to go. When 20-degree temperature drops can be expected, that's pretty significant. And if the price from Silicon Lottery is only $50, I'd definitely do that.

 

[creed3020]

The Cyrorig C1 is a great cooler to overclocked Intel builds. I have on in an RVZ01 running a Devil's Canyon i5. Not exactly the same as the 7700k but fairly close.

What case are you using? The C1 will fit in nicely within your 75mm envelope.

 

[pcslookout]

I got the Thermalright AXP-200 Muscle and got it down to 65c load lowering my i7 7700k voltage a little.

My case is a Lian-Li PC-O12 sorry for it taking so long to get back. http://www.lian-li.com/en/dt_portfolio/pc-o12/

Still not sure if I am keeping the case because of the 75mm heatsink/fan clearance limit. I didn't realize this would be a issue.

Haven't figured out where to mount a SSD on this case but its ok.

The best part of the case is the way the video card is out of the way and on the other side! So changing out video cards is less of a hassle with all the cords. Oh yeah I still need to organize my cords.

 

[pcslookout]

One more thing I do want lower temperatures so I can overclock. This is why I am not sure if I am keeping the case. I need more clearance for a higher heatsink/fan to be able to overclock unfortunately

To bad they don't make a heatsink/fan with the fans on the side or two fans on the side that is under 75 mm.

Hopefully one day, if I decide to keep the case, someone comes out with a 75 mm or less heatsink/fan that cools as well as a high profile cooler.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Well, sir, if I were going to attempt the compact build that seems to be your objective, and if I could only use those coolers, I'd try to massively increase case-intake CFM and design a duct so that the case rear-exhaust fan is in line with the flow of heat-sink exhaust. So even if the cooler has a top-mounted fan blowing down on the motherboard, I might want to consider reversing that flow if the duct to the rear exhaust were the most feasible way of doing it. Hopefully -- and I would try and do it this way -- you could still duct the HSF exhaust and intake across the motherboard so that the case rear-exhaust is still a puller fan with the CPU fan as pusher.

 

[Valantar]

I got the Thermalright AXP-200 Muscle and got it down to 65c load lowering my i7 7700k voltage a little.

My case is a Lian-Li PC-O12 sorry for it taking so long to get back. http://www.lian-li.com/en/dt_portfolio/pc-o12/

Still not sure if I am keeping the case because of the 75mm heatsink/fan clearance limit. I didn't realize this would be a issue.

Haven't figured out where to mount a SSD on this case but its ok.

The best part of the case is the way the video card is out of the way and on the other side! So changing out video cards is less of a hassle with all the cords. Oh yeah I still need to organize my cords.

Oh, wow. In case you missed it in the marketing: that case is pretty much made for custom water cooling and show builds only. If that's not the goal, it's an utterly meaningless and hopelessly impractical design. Return it.

 

[pcslookout]

I got idle temps down to 29 to 33C with cable management! Now time to see the load temps.

Yes I may still return it but I like it.

 

[pcslookout]

Ok 65 C load temps.

 

[Triloby]

I would rather change the case in this instance. No realistic way to quietly cool a 7700K in a case with such a restrictive height clearance for CPU air coolers. As mentioned already, the case you have is strictly meant for water cooling, not air cooling.

Optionally, you could delid your 7700K if you have no qualms about voiding the warranty on your CPU.

 

[pcslookout]

I would rather change the case in this instance. No realistic way to quietly cool a 7700K in a case with such a restrictive height clearance for CPU air coolers. As mentioned already, the case you have is strictly meant for water cooling, not air cooling.

Optionally, you could delid your 7700K if you have no qualms about voiding the warranty on your CPU.

Yeah but what case instead then ?

 

[Triloby]

Yeah but what case instead then ?

Here are some you can check out. Keep in mind that these cases here have a maximum CPU cooler clearance of 160 mm or a little bit more. It should be more than good enough to install most tower coolers. If you don't mind paying extra for tempered glass panels, these cases should be fine:

NZXT S340 Elite Black: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Phanteks Eclipse P400S Tempered Glass: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

If you don't mind having acrylic window side panels instead, then these cases should do you just fine:

Fractal Design Define C: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Fractal Design Define S with Window: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

NZXT S340 Non-Tempered Glass: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Cooler Master MasterBox 5: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Corsair has their Carbide 400C case, but I'm not so sure if there's enough clearance for most tower coolers. It looks more like it prefers CPU water coolers instead: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[Triloby]

Otherwise, if you don't feel like changing cases, then just replace your air cooler with an appropriate closed liquid cooler. The radiator size in that case should be either 240 mm or 280 mm.

 

[Valantar]

Otherwise, if you don't feel like changing cases, then just replace your air cooler with an appropriate closed liquid cooler. The radiator size in that case should be either 240 mm or 280 mm.

...if it's mounted in the front. The top can take a 360mm rad.

Oh, and for how to mount an SSD in this case:

 

[pcslookout]

Otherwise, if you don't feel like changing cases, then just replace your air cooler with an appropriate closed liquid cooler. The radiator size in that case should be either 240 mm or 280 mm.

Which one do you recommend ? Closed liquid cooler that is.

Is it easy to install and do ? Could it leak ?

 

[Valantar]

Which one do you recommend ? Closed liquid cooler that is.

Is it easy to install and do ? Could it leak ?

Which one? Read a few reviews. There are too many good options to list. It you want some bling in that show-off case of yours, the newer NZXT Krakens have some nice RGB action going on. Easy to install? Yes, usually easier than a big air cooler. Could it leak? Of course it can. But it's absolutely ridiculously improbable, unless you have a habit of opening your case and pulling on your AIO hoses for fun.

Oh, and I'd put the AIO in the top as an exhaust and some reasonably high airflow fans in the front of the case to give some cool air to the GPU.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Which one? Read a few reviews. There are too many good options to list. It you want some bling in that show-off case of yours, the newer NZXT Krakens have some nice RGB action going on. Easy to install? Yes, usually easier than a big air cooler. Could it leak? Of course it can. But it's absolutely ridiculously improbable, unless you have a habit of opening your case and pulling on your AIO hoses for fun.

Oh, and I'd put the AIO in the top as an exhaust and some reasonably high airflow fans in the front of the case to give some cool air to the GPU.

I'd suggest the Kraken X62 only because I've been eyeing it myself. In my "case" though, there is no urgency. If my "case" involved the OP's case, then -- abso-freakin'-lutely.

 

[pcslookout]

...if it's mounted in the front. The top can take a 360mm rad.

Oh, and for how to mount an SSD in this case:

Thanks!

 

[pcslookout]

I'd suggest the Kraken X62 only because I've been eyeing it myself. In my "case" though, there is no urgency. If my "case" involved the OP's case, then -- abso-freakin'-lutely.

Ok.

I am still scared to do this but may try.

 

[Valantar]

Ok.

I am still scared to do this but may try.

There's nothing to be scared of, don't worry.

 

[Triloby]

Which one do you recommend ? Closed liquid cooler that is.

Is it easy to install and do ? Could it leak ?

There are several to choose from. If you want your cooler to have some bling (RGB lighting), then the NZXT Kraken X52 (240 mm) or X62 (280 mm) are fine choices. If you don't care about RGB lighting, then the Corsair H100i v2 or the EVGA CLC 280 are decent choices as well.

Installation isn't difficult. If anything, it's far easier than installing an air cooler because you don't have to worry about RAM or CPU height clearance issues with a liquid cooler. Just mount the radiator on the top of the case and make sure the fans are set to pushing hot air out of the case.

I wouldn't really worry about leaks. Early CLC's had leaking issues, but most CLC's nowadays don't really have that problem. It's something you install once and forget about it.

 

[pcslookout]

So far get 65C load, while gaming (BF4), on air and am happy with that.

I don't see a AIO being worth it for me unless I can get 20 or 30 C difference.