i7 4790k at 40C idle. Is that high?

[ClockHound]

I'm confusing myself, trying to figure out the post to which you're responding. But I think I agree with all of your conclusions there.

The Mugen scored well, but not well enough for me to choose it as a cooler over some very few others. Maybe I need to look again.

I was using a similar digital thermometer in process of setting up systems, cages and fans still in operation. I think the device "went on the fritz" soon thereafter. But once one sees what is happening with those factors, you'd hardly need to take temperature measurements when making yet another DIY computer build. You would already know.

I was responding to the entire internet. Thought I could get it all out in one post. Appears not. ;-)

I got the Mugen 4 for $25 on sale, so the cooling per dollar was unbeatable. Also, it was one of the few decent coolers that would fit my on sale $59 Ghost case that only allows 160mm high coolers. The goal with that build was for every component to match the value of the $100 hexcore. Got close. But, after getting hot under the collar and in the case, started spending crazy on a variety of fans (can you ever have too many?) and the EVGA G2 750. ;-)

The Mugen 4 with Push/Pull Noctua P12 fans works really well on the vintage Xeon. Not so sure it would work as well on the 22nm Haswells because of the die layout/heat density.

Will use the thermometer again in the next builds - yes, the lessons learned with it can be applied again, but nice to have a simple measurement to confirm the layout.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I was responding to the entire internet. Thought I could get it all out in one post. Appears not. ;-)

I got the Mugen 4 for $25 on sale, so the cooling per dollar was unbeatable. Also, it was one of the few decent coolers that would fit my on sale $59 Ghost case that only allows 160mm high coolers. The goal with that build was for every component to match the value of the $100 hexcore. Got close. But, after getting hot under the collar and in the case, started spending crazy on a variety of fans (can you ever have too many?) and the EVGA G2 750. ;-)

The Mugen 4 with Push/Pull Noctua P12 fans works really well on the vintage Xeon. Not so sure it would work as well on the 22nm Haswells because of the die layout/heat density.

Will use the thermometer again in the next builds - yes, the lessons learned with it can be applied again, but nice to have a simple measurement to confirm the layout.

I'd have to say that the $25 was indeed a bargain. Instead, I look for bargains at the butcher shop -- hoping to get $12 filet-mignon for half as much. No such luck.