Cooling for new computer

[Jafar Ironclad]

Hey guys

So I got a Corsair H80 cooling system for my new Digital Audio Workstation machine (Intel DX79Si mobo, 3960X processor, 32 GB Vengeance RAM), and sure enough, it's defective. I need a decent-good (will not be overclocking CPU) air cooling system for the CPU (Water cooling fans/base collides with RAM sticks). Making a trip to the electronics store tomorrow, so limited-time bit. Recommendations?

[MaSSive]

A quick one would say this Zalman CNPS12X Lower Noise Heatsink Review - FrostyTech.com

If you cant fit in this Noctua.at - sound-optimised premium components "Designed in Austria"!

[rushn]

that noctua and zalman fans are for overclocking and will be quite the overkill if you are not going to OC

pretty much stock cooler will be good enough if you arent overclocking

[LITOralis.nMd]

EDIT:
IF you are planning to RMA the H80 and eventually install the replacement H80, and you don't mind some amount of noise over about 22DBa, just grab any Zalman with big heat pipes that uses 120mm fans, and buy some high quality (scythe, etc) fans you can reuse, total cost under $60 plus your CA slaverstate sales tax..

EDIT 2:
Best comparison I've found on sound levels of air coolers for LGA 2011:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/LGA ... 30-18.html

thermalright archon/macho

"Super 5": Super-Coolers on LGA 2011 Platform. Page 7 - X-bit labs

Keep in mind you can buy the biggest CPU cooling chunk of metal you can find, then buy after market low noise fans, such as top quality scythes or what ever your choice of after market fans are. Also keep in mind that if you buy a huge chunk of metal, it might block your RAM module...

You want the biggest cooler you can find, then undervolt the cpu cooler fan...

Also, the price of 2011 socket air coolers is equivalent to the closed loop liquid cooling solution like the H80.

This is the ultimate online resource for concptualizing silent PCs:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1040-page1.html

[Jafar Ironclad]

Not sure what's going to happen to the faulty H80 yet. It'll certainly be sent back, but I don't know if I'm going to replace it.

Constraints:
- Mid-Tower case.
- Preference air cooler; as a water cooling system would collide with the ram sticks in the board (I didn't think ahead to get low-profile RAM)
- CPU noise not a big issue, as I won't be using the workstation to record.
- Cost up to $70 before tax.

Thanks for the recommendations!

[rushn]

normall heatsinks with some room for OC

Newegg.com - ZALMAN CNPS10X FLEX CPU Cooler

[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186058
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Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/AM3+

the one above this is very good


if you want the best then noctua is one of the best out there get this is you are going to overclock

Newegg.com - Noctua NH-D14 120mm & 140mm SSO CPU Cooler

I would reccomend

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO

it has performed fantastically and has been rated very well by variety of people plus the price doesn't get any better

[whatshisname55]

I would suggest getting the original Hyper 212 Plus. It is cheaper than the EVO and the performance difference is almost nothing.
If you want some quiet fans that cool well I would suggest Scythe GentleTyphoon's.

[MaSSive]

Since you got high profile ram sticks, and a lot of them plus a midtower case, I wouldnt suggest getting noctua or any massive heatsinks for CPU. It will overlap with ram sticks, and eventually heat dissipation might go from heatsink to ram sticks, which is not good.

Not OCing get a standard cooler/heatsink as rushn said and youll be fine. Still make some more airflow in your case since you got a lot of top notch components there just to make heat go out of the case.