• Need some suggestions for CPU coolers(?) for overclocking
    30 replies, posted
CPU is a phenom II x4 940, stock @3.0ghz. Looking for a fan or other aftermarket cooler for some nice over clocking, as the 940 is getting outdated. Not sure about price range, can probably go up to $75 or a bit more if it's really worth it. So far the h5o looks promising.
From the looks of it, you have no idea what you're doing. The fact that you're asking what type of CPU cooler you need is proof of that. No two CPUs are the same, even the same model. Every batch is different, and they're only guaranteed to run at the speed specified. Some CPUs may barely pass the mark for that speed grade and not overclock at all, and others may have lots of headroom, it's just luck of the draw. You need to do some research on overclocking before blowing $100 on a cooler.
You're right. I also can't think straight tonight. Anyway; I wasn't planning on blowing $100. [editline]2nd May 2011[/editline] ps: i dont think you read my post right
I use the Corsair H5O liquid cooling system and it has served me well.
[QUOTE=bohb;29585667]From the looks of it, you have no idea what you're doing. The fact that you're asking what type of CPU cooler you need is proof of that. No two CPUs are the same, even the same model. Every batch is different, and they're only guaranteed to run at the speed specified. Some CPUs may barely pass the mark for that speed grade and not overclock at all, and others may have lots of headroom, it's just luck of the draw. You need to do some research on overclocking before blowing $100 on a cooler.[/QUOTE] $100? $40 is more realistic. Get a 212+.
[QUOTE=Shadaez;29586052]$100? $40 is more realistic. Get a 212+.[/QUOTE] The 212 is a [I]general purpose[/I] CPU cooler, not an [I]overclocking[/I] cooler. It can dissipate 130W of heat, which is what a Phenom II pulls under nominal maximum load. It's not going to cut it when it overclocks, especially since the entire Phenom quad line already runs like a furnace. He needs an exotic cooler, which are substantially more expensive (in the $70-150 range) or water cooling (all bets are off on price here.)
The Corsair H5O looks pretty nice. I see someone with an almost identical computer who was able to OC the 940 to 3.9ghz with it. [editline]2nd May 2011[/editline] Also don't worry about me destroying my computer- I was only looking for suggestions.
I would never use liquid cooling, I'm too paranoid of leakage.
Noctua NH-D14 I'd suggest that, but you should atleast tell what CPU you have.
[QUOTE=seano12;29586762]I would never use liquid cooling, I'm too paranoid of leakage.[/QUOTE] Hah, that's really silly in all honesty. The tubes are like industrial strength. They're extremely effective and definitely worth it.
[QUOTE=Matix;29591485]Hah, that's really silly in all honesty. The tubes are like industrial strength. They're extremely effective and definitely worth it.[/QUOTE] I just wouldn't trust myself connecting them, or pay someone else to do it.
You don't connect them. They usually come fully assembled. The H5O comes fully assembled.
[QUOTE=bohb;29586336]The 212 is a [I]general purpose[/I] CPU cooler, not an [I]overclocking[/I] cooler. It can dissipate 130W of heat, which is what a Phenom II pulls under nominal maximum load. It's not going to cut it when it overclocks, especially since the entire Phenom quad line already runs like a furnace. He needs an exotic cooler, which are substantially more expensive (in the $70-150 range) or water cooling (all bets are off on price here.)[/QUOTE] Hahaha, no. I have a 212+ on my Phenom II x4 OC'd to 4.2 Ghz and it never exceeds 57c running Prime 95 for several hours. Watercooling is pretty useless, the only benefit it gives are kewl looks and quiet operation. [editline]3rd May 2011[/editline] And possibly a less crowded system and some very extreme overclocking.
[QUOTE=Shadaez;29596489]Hahaha, no. I have a 212+ on my Phenom II x4 OC'd to 4.2 Ghz and it never exceeds 57c running Prime 95 for several. Watercooling is pretty useless, the only benefit it gives are kewl looks and quiet operation. [editline]3rd May 2011[/editline] And possibly a less crowded system and some very extreme overclocking.[/QUOTE] I run the 212+ as well. Bohb has no idea what he's talking about.
And quit blindly bashing AMD CPUs please, Intel CPUs are designed to run much hotter (and do), the maximum suggested operating temperature for my Phenom 2 is 62c, and that's what it is for every other I've used too.
[QUOTE=Shadaez;29596606]And quit blindly bashing AMD CPUs please, Intel CPUs are designed to run much hotter (and do), the maximum suggested operating temperature for my Phenom 2 is 62c, and that's what it is for every other I've used too.[/QUOTE] Yah. I've heard that people run I7's at 100 degrees at times and they won't really be damaged. Maybe he's looking at how the i5 cpus have a lower TDP than the Phenom II quads?(125 vs...95?) Honestly I never learned anything about TDP and temperatures because I've never noticed them go extremely high. All I know is my cpu cooler is working and that's enough for me :P
TDP is just to give you a reference about how much thermal power your cooler needs to dissipate to prevent the CPU from reaching Tmax on full load with stock clock speeds. It's not usually even near of how much power the CPU actually uses. So CPU with 125W TDP which has cooler that can dissipate heat with equal power to CPU TDP should be enough to prevent the CPU from hitting Tmax. But alot of things can vary, for example: Room Temperature, Case ambient temperature. So usually cooler with Thermal dissipation power equal to CPU TDP is not enough to keep CPU from hitting Tmax because of high ambient temperature inside computer case and/or high room temperature. And to post above mine, my I7 920 @ 4Ghz 1.3Vcore stays around 90-95Celcius under Prime95 torture test with Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 and in Case with good airflow.
Updated the OP a little to clarify a bit. Feel free to ask questions, i've already got someone who will be doing the offing themselves but don't have the time to look for a cooler
[QUOTE=bohb;29586336]The 212 is a [I]general purpose[/I] CPU cooler, not an [I]overclocking[/I] cooler. It can dissipate 130W of heat, which is what a Phenom II pulls under nominal maximum load. It's not going to cut it when it overclocks, especially since the entire Phenom quad line already runs like a furnace. He needs an exotic cooler, which are substantially more expensive (in the $70-150 range) or water cooling (all bets are off on price here.)[/QUOTE] You my sir have no idea what you're talking about. Also the aluminum athlon x2 heatsink on my 965 would like to have a word with you. [img]http://www.3sfmedia.com/store/images/computers/amd-heatsink-fan.jpg[/img]
I have a 212+ and it's gotten me about the same temps as my old watercooling did with some AS5 paste. Adjustable retention bracket makes it compatible with just about every CPU type. I use it on a Athlon X2 3.2GHz and I've overclocked to a meaty 3.6GHz with a stable 34 degrees. OP, if you decide to go watercooling... DO. NOT. GO. CHEAP. I had a case with some sub-standard liquid cooling that worked fine at the start, and as time went on, it got clogged with algae and other gross shit, it started leaking and because of it I went through 3 motherboards because it killed the PCIe slots on them
I think I've decided on the H5O if anything, thanks for the input though. I couldn't find one incident online of someone reporting it leaking, other people were saying that too, apperantly also very sturdy and safe. Should get the OCCing I want done too. Thanks everyone for the suggestions, though. The 212+ looks great for some OCing and just all around cooling, I just want to push past it a bit.
[QUOTE=drummerundrcovr;29604539]You my sir have no idea what you're talking about. Also the aluminum athlon x2 heatsink on my 965 would like to have a word with you. [img_thumb]http://www.3sfmedia.com/store/images/computers/amd-heatsink-fan.jpg[/img_thumb][/QUOTE] You're really funny. Mine did almost nothing I got horrible temps. Also the heatsinks are exactly the same for almost all the processors from AMD.
[QUOTE=Shadaez;29596489]Hahaha, no. I have a 212+ on my Phenom II x4 OC'd to 4.2 Ghz and it never exceeds 57c running Prime 95 for several.[/QUOTE] Seconds, minutes hours? What. [QUOTE=Shadaez;29596606]And quit blindly bashing AMD CPUs please, Intel CPUs are designed to run much hotter (and do), the maximum suggested operating temperature for my Phenom 2 is 62c, and that's what it is for every other I've used too.[/QUOTE] Quit bashing Intel CPUs please, since you don't know what you're talking about and are making wild uneducated accusations. Oh, and stop putting words in other peoples' mouth's. [url]http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=37147[/url] This supposedly "much higher" TJunct is +5.5c higher. On the other hand, I have built Phenom II machines, i5 machines and i7 machines. I know the heat and power characteristics of all of them, and the Phenom II is akin to the Pentium 4 in terms of massive heat production. At least with the i5 and i7, the stock fans don't ramp up to maximum speed when the CPU barely has a load on it due to severe heat problems. [QUOTE=moesislack;29606431]You're really funny. Mine did almost nothing I got horrible temps. Also the heatsinks are exactly the same for almost all the processors from AMD.[/QUOTE] AMD likes the brick shaped CPU coolers for sure, but the last Phenom II system I built (was a 945), the stock heatsink from AMD had a copper base and double heat pipes. The cooler was still useless though and would scream under even the lightest of loads.
Hours, sorry, and apparently the max it reached when I was running it yesterday was 60c, but I'm assuming it's because I need to dust my heatsink. The point still stands that the 212+ is a fine heatsink for overclocking and is well under $100.
[QUOTE=moesislack;29606431]You're really funny. Mine did almost nothing I got horrible temps. Also the heatsinks are exactly the same for almost all the processors from AMD.[/QUOTE] What thermal compound did you use? And no, the heatsinks are NOT NEARLY the same. Boxed Athlon II CPUs come with the aluminum heatsink in the picture I posted, and may even be half the height for the dual core Athlon IIs. The Phenom II heatsinks have a copper base and heatpipes, and have a thicker base. There is a [b]very[/b] big difference in weight between the two. I would know, I've built two of my friends' computers with amd 955s & I've had an x2 240 & currently use an unlocked x4 620. [editline]4th May 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=bohb;29607793]Seconds, minutes hours? What. Quit bashing Intel CPUs please, since you don't know what you're talking about and are making wild uneducated accusations. Oh, and stop putting words in other peoples' mouth's. [url]http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=37147[/url] This supposedly "much higher" TJunct is +5.5c higher. On the other hand, I have built Phenom II machines, i5 machines and i7 machines. I know the heat and power characteristics of all of them, and the Phenom II is akin to the Pentium 4 in terms of massive heat production. At least with the i5 and i7, the stock fans don't ramp up to maximum speed when the CPU barely has a load on it due to severe heat problems. AMD likes the brick shaped CPU coolers for sure, but the last Phenom II system I built (was a 945), the stock heatsink from AMD had a copper base and double heat pipes. The cooler was still useless though and would scream under even the lightest of loads.[/QUOTE] You're the one bashing. The Phenom IIs are NOT furnaces like you say, and there is a big difference between what's on paper and what's realistically comfortable for the i5 & i7 series. Everywhere I've seen overclocking for the i5-750 people reach 70C+ on the stock heatsink without much worry from other users. I haven't seen nearly as many posts asking about Phenom IIs overclocking & temps on Facepunch and other forums. 5C is a big difference, you should reconsider your statement as well. And please screams under the slightest load? If the fan is ramping up like that it's your motherboard being overly sensitive to the uncalibrated temps. One of my friends' computer is perfectly fine and quiet, while the other has bad temp sensors and makes his fan sound like a damn kazoo in the summer. Friend 1 maxed out at 55-60C at a LAN party I had, where it was 80F, humid, and stuffy in my bedroom with 5 other guys. His CPU fan wasn't very loud even then. Friend 2 with the wacko motherboard temp sensors had his kazoo blowing full blast & created noises we never thought possible. Even after I reapplied some AS5 his temps reported as over 70C. Thus it was determined his fan was on 100% speed through most of the summer. Remember, friend 1 has a very similar build and hasn't complained in the 1+ years he's had it. Your "background" on AMDs stuff seems iffy.
Well, just picked up the h60. It cost less thAn the h50, but runs better and quieter [editline]4th May 2011[/editline] Supposedly
[QUOTE=Matix;29591799]You don't connect them. They usually come fully assembled. The H5O comes fully assembled.[/QUOTE] uh no that's only closed loop coolers usually OEMd by asetek and are worse options than air proper watercooling involves buying tubing, pumps, rads etc. seperately and filling them yourself [editline]6th May 2011[/editline] oh wait misspelling H50, it's you again isn't it
Sorry about saying H5O, i got confused
I was talking about Matix
[QUOTE=drummerundrcovr;29614663]You're the one bashing. The Phenom IIs are NOT furnaces like you say, and there is a big difference between what's on paper and what's realistically comfortable for the i5 & i7 series. Everywhere I've seen overclocking for the i5-750 people reach 70C+ on the stock heatsink without much worry from other users. I haven't seen nearly as many posts asking about Phenom IIs overclocking & temps on Facepunch and other forums. 5C is a big difference, you should reconsider your statement as well. And please screams under the slightest load? If the fan is ramping up like that it's your motherboard being overly sensitive to the uncalibrated temps. One of my friends' computer is perfectly fine and quiet, while the other has bad temp sensors and makes his fan sound like a damn kazoo in the summer. Friend 1 maxed out at 55-60C at a LAN party I had, where it was 80F, humid, and stuffy in my bedroom with 5 other guys. His CPU fan wasn't very loud even then. Friend 2 with the wacko motherboard temp sensors had his kazoo blowing full blast & created noises we never thought possible. Even after I reapplied some AS5 his temps reported as over 70C. Thus it was determined his fan was on 100% speed through most of the summer. Remember, friend 1 has a very similar build and hasn't complained in the 1+ years he's had it. Your "background" on AMDs stuff seems iffy.[/QUOTE] You see, the difference between me and you is that [I]most[/I] of your arguments are based on "I heard this user said xyz" or "I read abc post that this happened" Myself on the other hand base my statements on the fact that I have personal first hand experience with the product in question. In case you missed it, [B]I run a computer repair business[/B] and build/repair machines on a daily basis, which include both Intel and AMD processors like the i3, i5, i7, Athlon, Phenom, etc. If anyone's "background" is "iffy" it would be you being a hypocrite and flip-flopper. You stated yourself that one of your friends has severe heat problems, even with reapplication of thermal compound. Yet in the beginning, you say the Phenom II has no problems with heat at all. Get your story straight before you try and look smart.
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