Looking for a budget CPU cooler suitable for an 8700K and fitting into a P400S case
Looking for a budget CPU cooler suitable for an 8700K and fitting into a P400S case
Apologies in advance if this is a stupid question, I'm a newbie.
So, I've got all my parts together to build my pc, but I didn't realise the importance of having a good cooler. Right now, I have a cooler master hyper 212x, but I'n not sure this will be enough for an i7 8700k. I don't have a large budget ($100 NZD maximum) to spend on a cooler, also the nh-d15 will not fit in my p400s case as I only have a 160mm cooler clearance. I'd prefer air cooling just because it's cheaper, but if there is a good aio water cooler for cheap, I wouldn't mind.
Thank you for your help ;D
This situation suits any cooler up to 160mm in height. Your options are quite narrow though. These are the only two coolers I've found available below 160mm that could be worth upgrading from your 212x model.
https://nz.pcpartpicker.com/products/com...qs,wjmLrH/
Finding a Cryorig H5 that fits between 160-168mm depending on your mount would be ideal. This would likely offer the best cooler available under 160mm, unless water cooling is an option. You might want to think about water cooling if your case has restrictions.
This situation suits any cooler up to 160mm in height. Your options are quite narrow though. These are the only two coolers I've found available below 160mm that could be worth upgrading from your 212x model.
https://nz.pcpartpicker.com/products/com...qs,wjmLrH/
Finding a Cryorig H5 that fits between 160-168mm depending on your mount would be ideal. This would likely offer the best cooler available under 160mm, unless water cooling is an option. You might want to think about water cooling if your case has restrictions.
Darkbreeze :
This case suits any cooler up to 160mm, though the choices are quite narrow. The only two coolers I’ve found available under 160mm that might be worth upgrading from your 212x are these.
https://nz.pcpartpicker.com/products/com...qs,wjmLrH/
If you find a Cryorig H5, adjustable from 160-168mm depending on your mount, that would be the top pick for cooling, especially outside of water cooling. You might want to think about water cooling if your case has limits.
I was thinking about a Cryorig H7, which is smaller at 145mm. Is this still a solid choice? On the water cooling front, the Corsair H100i seems like the only reasonably priced AIO I’ve seen, though reviews are mixed.
H7 and honestly, most of the 120mm coolers fall short for the 8700k due to its extra cores. More cores generate more heat, whether you're overclocking or not. If you intend to overclock, at least a 140mm fin stack cooler is necessary. If you don't plan to overclock, the H7 should suffice. I didn't find it in your market, but if it exists, there are definitely better alternatives. It's an excellent choice for a 120mm single stack cooler.
Darkbreeze :
The H7 seems insufficient for the 8700k due to its extra cores. More cores generate more heat, whether overclocked or not. If you intend to overclock, a minimum of a 140mm fin stack cooler is advisable. If you don’t plan to overclock at all, the H7 should suffice. I didn’t find it in your market, but if it exists, there are definitely worse alternatives. It’s a solid choice for a 120mm single stack cooler.
H100i is a 240mm AIO cooler. That’s correct. Even then, it might not handle major overclocking well. My i5 8600k reaches dangerously close to 90°C in Prime95 at 5.0GHz and the upper 70s during gaming. The 8700k has more threads, so it makes sense it would get even hotter. I’m considering a 360AIO cooler instead.
DE lidding would definitely lower the temperatures, but I’m not ready to make that change.
I believe doing a delidding is worthwhile only if you use a service that ensures replacement in case of damage or subpar results (at least for those not confident or skilled enough to handle it themselves). However, this comes at an additional cost. It’s worth considering for some, especially when aiming for a significant CPU overclock on a 6/12 or higher processor, though perhaps less so for others.
I think a powerful air cooler with high static pressure, fast RPM, and strong CFM industrial fans—such as the Noctua PPC series—mounted on an efficient heatsink could likely support a solid overclock on such a CPU, or even a large 360mm AIO or open-loop setup.
I was informed during the Skylake release that my Noctua NH-U14S wouldn’t manage a 4.5Ghz or higher overclock, but it stayed within thermal limits at 4.8Ghz and I reduced it to 4.6Ghz mainly for durability. I think a well-delidded 8700k with a properly sealed CPU cover and heatsink base, paired with a reliable heatsink and an effective fan setup, could achieve what is usually only possible with water-based cooling. But I stray here a bit.
This seems beyond what most people are seeking or able to accomplish.
I’m uncertain about the availability of such options on the newly launched Amazon Australia, but the Cryorig H5 is listed there under your budget, so it might still fit within your spending limits, possibly including shipping costs.
Thanks for your feedback. I've chosen to save money for more paychecks and will get a NZXT Kraken x52 (the x62 isn't available locally).
I'm not aiming to overclock beyond 9000, though perhaps a small adjustment in the near future.
Well, hope you're doing well then. And if you have more questions, feel free to ask. If you decide to go with liquid cooling, this could also be a solid option.
PCPartPicker part list
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Price breakdown by merchant
CPU Cooler:
Corsair - H115i 104.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
($204.99 @ PB Technologies)
Total: $204.99
Costs cover shipping, taxes, and any available discounts
Created by PCPartPicker on 2017-12-12 22:50 NZDT+1300
The EVGA CLC liquid coolers are also great alternatives if you manage to find them. The Corsair model mentioned has strong endorsements from professional review sites. Even though I generally lean away from Corsair in hardware debates, this seems like a reliable and high-performing choice.