Please suggest a cooler
Please suggest a cooler
My setup details -
CPU - Intel i7-8700
Motherboard - gigabyte Z370-HD3P
GPU - On board, not much of a gamer, might or might not get one.
Memory - Corsair Vengeance 16*2gb LXP 3000mhz
Chassis - Corsair Spec-03
I’m currently using the standard cooler. During heavy tasks, the CPU temperature climbs to around 90°C (chassis open), and it seems the system throttles to maintain stability. I’ve turned off turbo mode for now. My goal is to run in turbo mode for a few hours without overheating while keeping temperatures manageable.
I have four chassis fans: two front, one at the bottom, and one at the back. There’s room for two more at the top, but I think adding just one would be best since the top space is very limited.
Memory should remain accessible; I’m open to adding two more LPX sticks if needed.
The chassis allows a maximum cooler height of 157mm, which excludes some premium options like the CMO Hyper Evo and GammaX 400. It seems my final picks will be:
Antec C400
Arctic Cooler i32
Deep Cool GammaX300
Thermaltake Contac Silent
I’m based in India, so my options are limited—I haven’t seen much of Scythe or Cryo, and noctua fans are too costly for their price.
Some models support two fans with metal supports. I have a spare 120mm fan that could be connected to the cooler. I’m unsure whether using a CPU fan header for one and a 3-pin header for another would work—should they be pushed together, with one blowing in and one out? If only one fan is used, should it point toward the rear exhaust?
From what I’ve read about liquid air coolers, 120mm fans don’t seem worthwhile.
The TT water 2.0 offers superior performance compared to the 2. It features a thicker radiator with dual fans, enhancing its cooling power. The same applies to the H80i GT. Both models approach the capabilities of a 240mm rad like the H100i. However, it's important to note that AIOs differ significantly from air coolers in another key aspect. It's not just about CPU temperatures; it's about overall stability. An AIO operating at 50°C performs equally well as an air cooler at 40°C. The distinction becomes more apparent when workloads raise the air cooler to 70°C while the AIO stays at 55°C. As long as cooling remains above 70°C, the CPU temperature—whether it's 32°C or 62°C—doesn't affect the comparison between AIOs and air coolers. This makes direct comparisons challenging due to their fundamentally different working principles.
It seems your top choice wouldn't be a 120mm AIO, but rather a 240/280mm AIO positioned in front, swapping out the intake fans, while keeping the rear and at least one top mount. You should expect no more than two intakes and two exhausts. The main challenges are availability, the situation itself, and heat management. Smaller budget coolers aren't significantly better than a standard cooler, and your case doesn't accommodate larger units—your i7 generates around 140W of heat when fully loaded. Something like the Corsair H100i v2 would be a good fit for the front as an intake, effectively handling the heat, without affecting CPU mounting heights. It’s also non-invasive to the CPU and can handle at least 240W with ease, even during hot summer days. A 120mm AIO is rated for about 150W, while models like the Hyper212 (150W), GammaX 400, and Cryorig H7 all operate at similar power levels. That makes the 120mm AIO essentially competing with an air cooler, offering comparable performance for twice the cost. Most people would say it’s not worth it. Personally, I own a Corsair H55 on my 3570k, reaching up to 70°C at 4.3GHz, and gaming stays between 50-55°C—similar results to a Hyper212. For me, the aesthetic appeal of the AIO outweighs the cooling benefits.
If you're not pushing the system beyond its limits, then the stock heatsink and fan should function properly. Could it be that one or more of the pins securing the cooler have detached?
To help you avoid purchasing a new cooler, try removing the old thermal paste, swapping it for a higher-quality option like arctic silver 5, and ensuring solid contact between the cooler and the CPU.
I’m sure you’ve likely done this already, but just to be thorough, check for any dust buildup around the heatsink.
I hope my advice isn’t coming across as critical, but the stock cooler should suffice for non-overclocked builds.
It's a fresh setup, so no dust accumulation.
It functions smoothly at idle, in low temperatures, near ambient conditions. With load, it operates without turbo, keeping the temperature under 60°C. When turbo is engaged and the system is under stress, it reaches 90°C. I’m open to installing a new cooler for added confidence.
I've had quite a bit of success with Corsair AIO coolers... I'm using an H110i (it's 280 mm, which seems too big for your case) and it keeps my 6700k around 60c OCed... There are some smaller models that likely would fit better and cost less, but still work...
I usually choose an AIO mainly because of the limited space. If you can't fit an Evo 212, most decent air coolers won't fit either. You also mentioned you plan to add more RAM in the future; this can be tricky with any air cooler due to height issues...
Following what electro said, your stock cooler should function properly. I think there might be an issue with the initial airflow in the case. Since you mentioned opening it, you might need additional intake or exhaust fans to boost airflow. Also, as was discussed before, the thermal paste could be unevenly applied or the heatsink might be loose. I usually hand-tighten everything—after that, I give it a quarter turn with a screwdriver.
Hope this helps...
The system is a fresh setup, which means less dust accumulation. It functions properly at idle with low temperatures, close to ambient conditions. Under load, it operates without turbo and maintains temperatures below 60°C. When turbo is engaged and the system is under stress, it reaches around 90°C. I’m open to installing a new cooler for added confidence.
Peace of mind is valuable. Regarding temperatures, any of your suggestions should work as long as they fit within the case. However, I want to address the claim about 120mm AIO coolers.
I’d suggest Corsair H50 if you need ample space for RAM access and can accommodate a slightly wider radiator. I’ve used it with my i7-4770k (stock speeds 3.5 with turbo 3.9) for four years, and my temperatures stay around 40°C during full load (my records show 24°C to 29°C).
I mainly play games but also use Unity 5, Blender, and G.I.M.P. a few times weekly just to illustrate my workload. It’s one of the more affordable AIO coolers, though I’m unsure if it fits your budget. Most of the models you mentioned should be suitable.
Hope this clears things up, and good luck!
To maintain lower temperatures when using the turbo feature, manually adjust the vcore instead of allowing the BIOS to do it. The BIOS tends to choose a higher vcore, which can raise temperatures unnecessarily. For coffee lake processors, an aftermarket cooler is essential, and you're right to expect high temps under heavy load with a stock solution. I’d recommend a Corsair H80i for its AIO cooling benefits, though air cooling remains a viable choice if needed. It would be helpful to know what air cooler options are available in your area or country if you’re fully committed to that type of cooling.
the first post features four coolers that match the chassis and can be found here.
these are the AIO coolers listed in order of price.
COOLER MASTER LIQUID COOLER - MASTERLIQUID LITE 120
CORSAIR H45
DEEPCOOL GAMER STORM MAELSTROM SERIES AIO LIQUID COOLER
ANTEC KUHLER H600 PRO
CORSAIR H55
Thermaltake Water 3.0 Performer C
Corsair Hydro H60 High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler
Antec KUHLER H2O 650 Water/Liquid CPU Cooler