[TBG] CPU Cooler Rundown

[Essence_of_War]

http://techbuyersguru.com/cpucoolercomparo.php

Nice rundown of a bunch of coolers including the three Noctua's, and a curiosity-satisfying test with the NH-D15 oriented vertically.

The Thermalright Macho B. comes out looking very attractive in performance and perf/dollar, although it suffers a bit in ease of installation by comparison with the highly regarded Noctua mounting systems.

 

[Tim]

I can't vouch for the Corsair H100i, as I have the newer GTX version of it. That being said, the H100i GTX is an amazing cooler, and keeps the temps of my overclocked i7-4790k easily in check. I replaced the stock fans with more quiet Phantec fans that have similar performance ratings, and have been extremely impressed with the results, as well as the Corsair setup.

 

[Essence_of_War]

I replaced the stock fans with more quiet Phantec fans that have similar performance ratings

Cool! One of TBG's biggest con's for the H100i seemed to be that the stock fans were just a bit too aggressive in performance mode.

 

[XavierMace]

Not aggressive per say, just too loud. I replaced the stock fans on my X61 with Noctua iPPC 3000RPM's. I find they work about as well on silent mode as the stock fans did on performance mode. You can crank them up for further improved performance at the cost of noise. That said, the fans on the X61 (140mm) are quieter than Corsair's 120mm fan's in my experience.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Not aggressive per say, just too loud. I replaced the stock fans on my X61 with Noctua iPPC 3000RPM's. I find they work about as well on silent mode as the stock fans did on performance mode. You can crank them up for further improved performance at the cost of noise. That said, the fans on the X61 (140mm) are quieter than Corsair's 120mm fan's in my experience.

+1 and even :thumbsup:.

It's the Lou Reed thing! "Take a walk on the wild side!" with those iPPC 3000's!! Hell -- I got one! No need to run it up above 2,500, but it's quiet -- quiet enough.

And I think I could see trying a couple of 'em to replace a pair of AiO fans.

Interesting review, for the limited choice of coolers. With my own tedious nonsense, I could get the D15's maximum lowered to the low 80's or high 70's. That also includes dropping the sound level. With my ACX cooler, maybe 3 to 5C below that. I think this also points out how the first Haswells were toaster-ovens, so better things are likely possible with a 4790K.

Would be also interesting to see an H110i thrown into that mix. Anyway, it probably points up a set of possibilities for a 4790K build. For the E processors -- that's another story altogether, I think.