i5 4670K (Haswell): Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme or Antec Kuhler 620?

CZroe

Lifer
Jun 24, 2001
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I've got both and I'm torn: I'd like to know which to use in my latest system and which to delegate to the older one. I can't find any useful comparisons and I'm just too lazy to use trial and error. :)

I also might order a Corsair H100 so I'm pulled in three directions!
 

ruhtraeel

Senior member
Jul 16, 2013
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If you're planning to OC, I would go for something higher-end.

I like my H2O 620 (got it for $35), runs 33-37 degrees idle and 45-50 degrees load @ stock speed, but since Haswell runs a lot hotter, I'd say you should go for something around H80i/H2O 920 performance.
 

CZroe

Lifer
Jun 24, 2001
24,195
857
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If you're planning to OC, I would go for something higher-end.

I like my H2O 620 (got it for $35), runs 33-37 degrees idle and 45-50 degrees load @ stock speed, but since Haswell runs a lot hotter, I'd say you should go for something around H80i/H2O 920 performance.
Thanks. I guess I'm ordering the Corsair H100 everyone is talking about. :)

Now I have to decide between ordering a radiator grill and cutting a 240mm+ blowhole (current 80mm blowhole is laughable) or ordering this thing that mounts to the bottom vent with a new PSU to mount at the top (current PCP&C Turbo-Cool 1KW is mounted below and is too long to fit in the top position).

*sigh*

Decisions, decisions. I'm leaning toward the blowhole mod because A) it's cheaper, B) I want a bigger fan there anyway, C) the vents along the bottom are not nearly wide enough (constrained airflow), and D) I want to mount a HUGE fan behind the 300mm circular vent on the side (also had a ridiculously small 80mm fan mount originally).

Half the reason for the Kuhler 620 was that a tower cooler would limit the potential size of my side panel fan.
 
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Kenmitch

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
8,505
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My 4670k's overclock is thermally limited even using a H100i. During stress testing at least :)

It depends on your overclock goal and if you win the thermal lotto I guess.
 

chubbyfatazn

Golden Member
Oct 14, 2006
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I also might order a Corsair H100 so I'm pulled in three directions!

For how much? If it's $10, hell yeah. If it's $100...

Quick Googling seems to suggest that a 212+ is around the same or somewhat better than the 620. It also seems to suggest the Ultra-120 is better than the 212. I'd slap the Ultra-120 on if it was me and those were my two options.

Newegg was (is?) selling a refurbished H100 for $50 yesterday. I got mine refurbed as well, the only way I would've been able to tell it was refurbed was by the sticker on the box. I ran it outside my box, by itself, for two days though before installing it.
 

CZroe

Lifer
Jun 24, 2001
24,195
857
126
For how much? If it's $10, hell yeah. If it's $100...
~$10 more than the Kuhler 620 (~$48 after coupon).

Quick Googling seems to suggest that a 212+ is around the same or somewhat better than the 620. It also seems to suggest the Ultra-120 is better than the 212. I'd slap the Ultra-120 on if it was me and those were my two options.
Yeah. The problem is that adapting it to modern sockets is going to cost at least as much as a Hyper 212 Evo (currently $30) so I'm spending something either way. The mounting hardware for modern sockets costs $30 on eBay but I think I can get it for half that. I also need more fan clips or holders for push/pull (~$6x2) and, well, I think it's time for new PWM fans. :eek:

If I can get a deal I may order all that for the old system anyway because I hate how the current mounting hardware allows it to turn while installed on the CPU.

Newegg was (is?) selling a refurbished H100 for $50 yesterday. I got mine refurbed as well, the only way I would've been able to tell it was refurbed was by the sticker on the box. I ran it outside my box, by itself, for two days though before installing it.
Yep. That's the one. Ordered mine last night. :) Thanks!
 
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JimmiG

Platinum Member
Feb 24, 2005
2,024
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If you're overclocking you want at least the H110. Those lower-end AIO liquid coolers aren't that much better than the highest-end air coolers.
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Corsair-H110-CPU-Cooler-Review/1736/6

Running an AVX2 test like Linpack 11, you can expect around 95 - 105C at 4.2 GHz.

With Haswell, a twin-tower air cooler is "low-end" cooling, the most expensive AIO liquid coolers are lower mid-range, a custom built water cooling setup is mid-range, and VapoChill-style sub-zero cooling is upper mid-range. For high-end cooling, you need to travel to the edge of the solar system to stop the sun from interfering with your cooling. This will have the added benefit of heating Pluto enough to make it inhabitable.
 
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CZroe

Lifer
Jun 24, 2001
24,195
857
126
If you're overclocking you want at least the H110. Those lower-end AIO liquid coolers aren't that much better than the highest-end air coolers.
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Corsair-H110-CPU-Cooler-Review/1736/6

Running an AVX2 test like Linpack 11, you can expect around 95 - 105C at 4.2 GHz.

With Haswell, a twin-tower air cooler is "low-end" cooling, the most expensive AIO liquid coolers are lower mid-range, a custom built water cooling setup is mid-range, and VapoChill-style sub-zero cooling is upper mid-range. For high-end cooling, you need to travel to the edge of the solar system to stop the sun from interfering with your cooling. This will have the added benefit of heating Pluto enough to make it inhabitable.
:D

Yeah. Luckily I'm not aiming to break any records. :) I just want to be able to take advantage of it being a K-series CPU with a small, easily-attainable OC despite the excessive airflow in the chassis (using the old Stacker mostly for mounting TONS of drives; modifying the airflow mostly for easy proof of concept modernization/improvements).
 

chubbyfatazn

Golden Member
Oct 14, 2006
1,617
35
91
~$10 more than the Kuhler 620 (~$48 after coupon).

Yeah. The problem is that adapting it to modern sockets is going to cost at least as much as a Hyper 212 Evo (currently $30) so I'm spending something either way. The mounting hardware for modern sockets costs $30 on eBay but I think I can get it for half that. I also need more fan clips or holders for push/pull (~$6x2) and, well, I think it's time for new PWM fans. :eek:

If I can get a deal I may order all that for the old system anyway because I hate how the current mounting hardware allows it to turn while installed on the CPU.

Yep. That's the one. Ordered mine last night. :) Thanks!

Ah, didn't consider the bracket hardware. I forgot that it came out like 23 years ago ;)

If you're not a stickler for noise and $$, I'd consider adding two more fans for a p/p setup. But I don't know what case you're using as well as if your mobo has tall VRM heatsinks, so that might not work. I know it doesn't for me, even with a full tower.

And the stock fans are noisy as it is.