Help me decide on a CPU cooler

[thenext8seconds]

I have three contenders. In general, my criteria is it needs to be the best performing cooler for under $65 and under 140mm in height (because of case restrictions). I plan on overclocking a Phenom II x4 955 as much as I'm able to at reasonable temps.

Here's what I've narrowed it down to.

the Thermaltake BigTyp 14Pro

the Thermolab BADA

or the Enzotech Extreme-X

I'm leaning towards the BADA since Frostytech gave it a 94% rating and Overclockers Club gave it their gold medal. Out of my requirements, it would seem that, overall, in terms of temp, the BADA is highest up on the best AMD CPU Coolers list on Frostytech - not that it's the definitive source or whatever, but idk..

help!!

 

[MisterDonut]

Frostytech has really weird ratings and charts. I never paid much attention to them, but the Mugen 2 is going around for $29. Not gonna beat that in its price range. Gives you high-end temps for a low-end price. Also a deal going around on the TRUE/VenX. I'd still probably stick with the Mugen. From my experience, the 955BE is not too easy to overclock. Even AT has had some frustration dealing with it. It took a lot of tweaking to cap it at 4.0 stable, but I left it on 3.8. You can push about 3.6 without changing voltages. Mugen2 held temps all under 60c LOAD.

 

[thenext8seconds]

Frostytech has really weird ratings and charts. I never paid much attention to them, but the Mugen 2 is going around for $29. Not gonna beat that in its price range. Gives you high-end temps for a low-end price. Also a deal going around on the TRUE/VenX. I'd still probably stick with the Mugen. From my experience, the 955BE is not too easy to overclock. Even AT has had some frustration dealing with it. It took a lot of tweaking to cap it at 4.0 stable, but I left it on 3.8. You can push about 3.6 without changing voltages. Mugen2 held temps all under 60c LOAD.

All of the coolers you mentioned are well over 140mm tall, as was a requirement stated in my op. And AFAIK, the c3 revision is be pretty easy to overclock from what I've heard around the "internets"...

 

[MisterDonut]

Oh whoops, I was thinking 160mm =X. I can't find anything under 140mm T.T...I thought other tower heatsinks would fit that...hm...I've read before that the BigTyphoon is decent, and the BADA is pretty good too, but I don't know anybody who's used either. I'd probably go with the BADA though...

C3 is the easier one, but I didn't find it too easy to get it to 4.0 stable . Must've just been a tough ass chip .

Consider H2o . the h50.

 

[thenext8seconds]

Oh whoops, I was thinking 160mm =X. I can't find anything under 140mm T.T...I thought other tower heatsinks would fit that...hm...I've read before that the BigTyphoon is decent, and the BADA is pretty good too, but I don't know anybody who's used either. I'd probably go with the BADA though...

C3 is the easier one, but I didn't find it too easy to get it to 4.0 stable . Must've just been a tough ass chip .

Consider H2o . the h50.

I'd consider the h50 if it wasn't over $65 as was another criteria in my op.

 

[PieIsAwesome]

I'd consider the h50 if it wasn't over $65 as was another criteria in my op.

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2118842&highlight=bing

+$7.80 BCB. Comes out to $48.20.

 

[thenext8seconds]

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2118842&highlight=bing

+$7.80 BCB. Comes out to $48.20.

the coupon code on there isn't working anymore apparently

 

[MisterDonut]

was gonna post ^, but I guess not anymore

 

[Herald85]

I've used the following cooler with decent results in a tiny case:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-129-_-Product

It can be annoying to install it as it's very wide.

 

[thenext8seconds]

someone else in another forum or two recommended that, but i don't think that'd be as good as the 3 in my op as far as overclocking a quad core cpu... seems it'd be good for an htpc or something that was going to run at stock.. idk

 

[MisterDonut]

What are you aiming for on your OC? A guessed number or whatever works.

 

[thenext8seconds]

What are you aiming for on your OC? A guessed number or whatever works.

basically as much as i can get out of it with decent temps with my limitations (having to be under 140mm in height and no more than about $65)

 

[MisterDonut]

Only other HSF I can think of (aside from your three picks) that people use is the AC Freezer 7 Pro. I think it should be able to handle 3.8 pretty well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ING-_-35186134

 

[thenext8seconds]

seems like people on other forums are recommending the BADA

 

[MisterDonut]

If there's no other way to increase that case size , happy overclocking!

 

[FishAk]

Get the H50. It's more than your $65, but only by the price of one hamburger. It will leave you with plenty of room in your case, perform like the best of the air coolers, and not restrict the flow to the rest of your board, keeping it cooler as well. OK, maybe two hamburgers, if you include the cost of an additional 120 fan.

 

[thenext8seconds]

I think I may just put down the extra 10 or 15 dollars and just go for the Corsair H50. Seems like it'd be worth it.

 

[MisterDonut]

Do it. Might not be the best cooler, but it's pretty much your best option due to the size restriction.