New Cooling solution for Sandy Bridge 4.5GHz

[HollowRopes]

I finally got my i5 2500k to 4.5 stable, but the temperatures are way, way, way up there. Does anyone have any suggestions? I was looking at some Corsair water cooling thing but it looks like a toy. Thanks in advance.

 

[Kenmitch]

My 2500k is a water baby. Running it at 4.5ghz also. During something like Intel Burn Test it'll get in the mid 60's. Seems like these SB's crank up the heat pretty good but water seems to keep them in line.

How high is way, way, way up there anyways? Stock cooler?

There are quite a few air coolers that can tame the SB also. Not sure which one would be best but maybe somebody will chime in.

The Corsair H100 kinda looks interesting. Not sure how it would perform tho. I tried the H50 before and it worked pretty good with a e5200 @4.25ghz. Decided to go the real water cooling route myself.

 

[HollowRopes]

Actually the highest I've seen with the stock cooler is ~65 for all the cores, one maybe closer to 70, and it was during extreme testing.

What I'm mainly worried about are the 4 sticks of RAM right beside the socket that seem to generate tons of heat. If I can find someone that would fit right inbetween and dispense air both ways would be wonderful.

Yeah that gimmicky Corsair water systems seem like jokes when compared to the real thing, that's why I almost don't even consider them legitimate products.

 

[Zap]

Actually the highest I've seen with the stock cooler is ~65 for all the cores, one maybe closer to 70, and it was during extreme testing.

What I'm mainly worried about are the 4 sticks of RAM right beside the socket that seem to generate tons of heat. If I can find someone that would fit right inbetween and dispense air both ways would be wonderful.

Sorry, but my phat azz won't fit between two RAM sticks, unless you taped them to my hips which don't lie.

How hot does your CPU/RAM run when you are not running "extreme testing?" You might not have anything to worry about, unless the entire purpose of your rig was to run "extreme testing" 24/7 for the next few years.

 

[MarkLuvsCS]

H50 on my x6 @ 4ghz / 1.475v is under 58c loaded with push/pull config. I know it isn't as good as a regular standalone WC loop but it was pretty cheap and has worked flawlessly for over a year.

Coolermaster 212+ seems to be an inexpensive but decent air cooler for SB but I don't know if temps would drop a lot compared to the massive HSF towers

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

I finally got my i5 2500k to 4.5 stable, but the temperatures are way, way, way up there. Does anyone have any suggestions? I was looking at some Corsair water cooling thing but it looks like a toy. Thanks in advance.

Just get a Corsair A50 and be happy. There's no need for expensive coolers for a 4.5GHz OC at 1.3-1.35V on a 2500K. Temps should stay in the low to mid 60s.

 

[HollowRopes]

The RAM temps usually stay around the same area as the processor (anywhere from 39 c. to 71 C. Had to use the infrared for those pooppies.

LOL_Wut_Axel, that fan you described actually looks fairly appealing. I saw a knock-off brand at a local computer store yesterday for $26.99, I wonder if I should've tried it out.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

The RAM temps usually stay around the same area as the processor (anywhere from 39 c. to 71 C. Had to use the infrared for those pooppies.

LOL_Wut_Axel, that fan you described actually looks fairly appealing. I saw a knock-off brand at a local computer store yesterday for $26.99, I wonder if I should've tried it out.

There's not really much reason to go for anything lesser since you can buy it on Amazon and TigerDirect for $25. It has higher cooling performance than the Hyper 212+, costs less, and is quieter.

Also, since the stupid Dynamite Data link-corrupting thing probably took you to the Amazon page where it's at $35, you can buy it here for $25.

 

[RussianSensation]

For 4.5ghz, Cooler Master Hyper 212+ for $27 is all you need. This cooler is much better than the A50.

Another excellent option is the Titan Fenrir for $32 or the Zalman Performa for $33.

The next level up are Megahalems, Venomous X - these will match any of the top watercooling systems up to H80 / Antec 920.

Then you have the cream of the crop: Havik 140, Noctua NH-D14, Thermalright Silver Arrow and Thermalright Archon. Any of these 4 will outperform any closed watercooling system at similar noise levels up, other than the H100.

My top 4 air cooling choices right now are:

The Havik 140 for $59.99
The NH-D14 is $69.99
The Archon is $69.99
The Silver Arrow is $69.99

Given the lower prices and lower noise levels of the air cooling towers, I can't see paying $80-120 for an H80/H100, unless you are seeking absolutely maximum temp reduction at higher noise levels, prefer the look of those systems, want to try watercooling 😉

 

[Meghan54]

For 4.5ghz, Cooler Master Hyper 212+ for $27 is all you need. This cooler is much better than the A50.

Another excellent option is the Titan Fenrir for $32 or the Zalman Performa for $33.

The next level up are Megahalems, Venomous X - these will match any of the top watercooling systems up to H80 / Antec 920.

Then you have the cream of the crop: Havik 140, Noctua NH-D14, Thermalright Silver Arrow and Thermalright Archon. Any of these 4 will outperform any closed watercooling system at similar noise levels up, other than the H100.

My top 4 air cooling choices right now are:

The Havik 140 for $59.99
The NH-D14 is $69.99
The Archon is $69.99
The Silver Arrow is $69.99

Given the lower prices and lower noise levels of the air cooling towers, I can't see paying $80-120 for an H80/H100, unless you are seeking absolutely maximum temp reduction at higher noise levels, prefer the look of those systems, want to try watercooling 😉

Well said.


What I don't understand is the out-of-hand dismissal of the Corsair closed systems. It's not like they don't perform well.....they do. They just cost. But for someone looking to maximize cooling without the sometime problem of the massive tower coolers overhanging/blocking one RAM slot or more, or just wanting to get their toes "wet" in watercooling, it may be money well spent.

That's how I got into watercooling a few years ago.....bought a Corsair Nautilus setup just after it was released. Safe way to get into the hobby. Today, I've got two Thermochill rads, dual DDC2 pumps, and water blocks all over the place. Due to the positive experience I gained using the oft-derided Corsair unit, I moved wholesale into full-blown WC'ing. And I'm betting more than a few will move from their H80/100 setups to a full bore setup, too.

And for the OP to compare the all-in-one closed systems to a full-blown watercooling setup, which a good setup can easily run $250 or more, is just silly. And to call the Corsair setups gimmicks is to not understand what the Corsair setups are targeted towards....not the person looking to match "true" watercooling, but towards the people looking for an alternative to the massive tower coolers and try out some sort of decent performing watercooling, which the Corsair and Antec setups do rather well.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

For 4.5ghz, Cooler Master Hyper 212+ for $27 is all you need. This cooler is much better than the A50.

Another excellent option is the Titan Fenrir for $32 or the Zalman Performa for $33.

The next level up are Megahalems, Venomous X - these will match any of the top watercooling systems up to H80 / Antec 920.

Then you have the cream of the crop: Havik 140, Noctua NH-D14, Thermalright Silver Arrow and Thermalright Archon. Any of these 4 will outperform any closed watercooling system at similar noise levels up, other than the H100.

My top 4 air cooling choices right now are:

The Havik 140 for $59.99
The NH-D14 is $69.99
The Archon is $69.99
The Silver Arrow is $69.99

Given the lower prices and lower noise levels of the air cooling towers, I can't see paying $80-120 for an H80/H100, unless you are seeking absolutely maximum temp reduction at higher noise levels, prefer the look of those systems, want to try watercooling 😉

Sure it is. The A50 is nipping on the heels of the CNPS10X Performa.

The Hyper 212+ is easily beaten by the A50.