help me find a heatsink for my new build

[QueBert]

I ordered the Coolermaster Geminii S524, but I'm having 2nd thoughts.

EVGA Hadron case
Asrock z77 iTX MB
Crucial Ballistix Elite memory - like 2.1" tall with spreader fins.

The case supports a cooler with a max height of 5.5 inches, I'm looking at the Noctua nh-u9b se2 right now. I'll need something that's less than 5.5" tall that won't cover my PCI-E slot or block the memory slot. It's air cooling so I have no budget here. I mean I don't want to spent $80 on something, but if there's a cooler that's quiet, cools well and costs $80 I would definitely consider it. It would be nice if it was something that didn't cover my memory so it can be seen thru the window, but ultimately that's not a huge concern. But if I can get everything in 1 cooler I'd definitely jump on that one.

I believe for the present I'll cancel the Geminii cooler order and just use a stock heatsink until I find something. iTX + this small case will make finding a good solution here tricky.

 

[lehtv]

Are you planning to overclock?

 

[aigomorla]

AIO is probably your best solution as most ITX cases now are designed for an AIO.

 

[QueBert]

Are you planning to overclock?

I'd like to, but it depends on how the overall cooling is in the case. Finding one that fits with my components is hard enough on it's own so I'm not set on something that will let me OC a lot though.

AIO is probably your best solution as most ITX cases now are designed for an AIO.

The Hadron's tiny, they're releasing a Hydro version but the air one (one I got) doesn't support AIO coolers, not according to EVGA anywho. I have the Zalman LQ-320 in my current build. But I don't know how much modifying it would take to make it fit in the new case, if it's even possible at all. The case just came out so there's nothing much in the way of modding info.

 

[aigomorla]

The Hadron's tiny, they're releasing a Hydro version but the air one (one I got) doesn't support AIO coolers, not according to EVGA anywho. I have the Zalman LQ-320 in my current build. But I don't know how much modifying it would take to make it fit in the new case, if it's even possible at all. The case just came out so there's nothing much in the way of modding info.

Edit...

are u gonna overclock?
Are you also going to use a dedicated gpu?

Because if u have some air room, ive done pretty good with this guy on a dualcore E8600.
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...oduct_info&cPath=46_557_781&products_id=31935

 

[QueBert]

lol... then your in trouble...

http://www.zalman.com/global/product/Product_Read.php?Idx=338

ACK... i forgot they dont make that anymore...

That's one way to look at it ha, there are plenty of heatsinks that will fit with no issue, I'm just trying to find what the best options are. A lot I'm seeing are pretty meh cooling wise. I thought the CM Geminii looked great, but the reviews weren't too good for it's cooling. I read the AX-140 fits my MB and it would fit this case, but I don't think it will fit with my memory.

Yes to dedicated GPU sorry forgot to mention that, I have a 7950, so I'll need something that doesn't block the 1 PCI-E slot. And maybe to the OC'ing thing, I will if I can. I need to see how the overall cooling is in this case before I try anything like that.

 

[aigomorla]

That's one way to look at it ha, there are plenty of heatsinks that will fit with no issue, I'm just trying to find what the best options are. A lot I'm seeing are pretty meh cooling wise. I thought the CM Geminii looked great, but the reviews weren't too good for it's cooling. I read the AX-140 fits my MB and it would fit this case, but I don't think it will fit with my memory.

Yes to dedicated GPU sorry forgot to mention that, I have a 7950, so I'll need something that doesn't block the 1 PCI-E slot. And maybe to the OC'ing thing, I will if I can. I need to see how the overall cooling is in this case before I try anything like that.

yeah looking at the case again.... its gonna be difficult to even AIO due to radiator placement.

I can push u to enterprise gear for 1U chassis... however u'd probably yell a lot of banable words back at me on the noise.

 

[QueBert]

yeah looking at the case again.... its gonna be difficult to even AIO due to radiator placement.

I can push u to enterprise gear for 1U chassis... however u'd probably yell a lot of banable words back at me on the noise.

This case is definitely form over function, I had to really really ponder over if I should even order it. I think it's absolutely gorgeous, but it's going to be a uhhh, real adventure working with the little bit of space it has. I'm not giving up on finding a good cooler, I'm not expecting anything like my Dark Knight II or the AIO, but I'm sure I can track down something that will work. I mean a stock Intel cooler will work, I just want something more.

 

[aigomorla]

Added a Fan on top... and it should still give you 55mm clearance..

However its not the best cooler one can buy... its also a bit expensive.

I would rate it a bit better then a stock cooler, but i did recall it having some issues keeping my 2600K station cool at 4.8ghz overclock.

 

[QueBert]

Hummm, interesting but I can't find it anywhere for sale. I'm leaning towards the Hyper n520, Better than stock, and should fit without problems. The place I'm picking the case up from today has a Fry's down the street. They have a pretty decent selection of heatsinks I'll probably stop by and see some in person

 

[aigomorla]

If u see at frys a thermaltake one which low profile, its pretty good too.
Thats the sink i showed next to the swiftech one.

u may want to get a better fan for it, cuz TT fans are horrible.

The only thing i hated about it is the requirement of motherboard removal... however today's cases are setup so u can access the rear of the cpu socket without board removal.

 

[QueBert]

If u see at frys a thermaltake one which low profile, its pretty good too.
Thats the sink i showed next to the swiftech one.

u may want to get a better fan for it, cuz TT fans are horrible.

The only thing i hated about it is the requirement of motherboard removal... however today's cases are setup so u can access the rear of the cpu socket without board removal.

LOL not the Hadron, not only does it not have a CPU cut out, but it has some funky built in proprietary one that only lines up with their Stinger ITX boards. I'm baffled why they did this, but they did.

 

[QueBert]

aigomorla I wanted to thank you for all your input and ideas. Fry's had a pretty meh selection, and all but a couple were too tall. I ended up getting a Cooler Master Hyper TX3. It should hold me over until I can figure out which real one to get. I will shat myself if this doesn't fit lol.

I HATE being a Case fanatic, I went from a less than year old Prodigy, which is a damn nice case. To this hard as hell to do anything inside of case, which I had to get new cooling and a new slot loading (expensive) optical drive. And the current box is damn near silent.

UGH, I hope no other cases that catch my eye come out for at least 3 or 4 damn years. lol. Being an enthusiasts & having an iTX system's really a piss poor combo.

 

[aigomorla]

good luck and keep us updated on that build.

i would love to see what u do to that case.

 

[QueBert]

good luck and keep us updated on that build.

i would love to see what u do to that case.

lol there's not much you can do with this case, cable management's going to be just about impossible. No room to add accessories. It's an absolute nightmare to try to work inside of and trying to plug shit into the motherboard had me cussing. This is definitely a case I'll be really be working hard on, but just long enough to where I get the cable management as good as I can and then not touching it. It's a beautiful case imho, but it's not a case if you like to constantly mod. Looking at it I don't even see anything I could do do it.

Though it does have the holes in the back for tubing so maybe I'll look into external water cooling.

On a really bright note, the 40mm fan on the PSU is about 1/100th as loud as ones in the server room where I use to work. In the IT guys office they had this Dell switch and it was the loudest 40mm fan I've ever heard. It was as loud as a vacuum.