Some useful tips for boosting an i7-920's performance.
Some useful tips for boosting an i7-920's performance.
Hello,
I aim to upgrade my i7 920 due to its age and performance limitations with my r9 390. According to CPU-Z, it has a C0/C1 processor. My goal is to reach around 3.6 to 4.0 ghz, which would require a new cooler since I’m using the stock one. However, my budget is limited to 60 CAD. I measured the distance from the top of the processor to the side panel and found it to be approximately 160-161mm. Could you recommend a cooler that fits this size and price range?
I don't suggest the 212 EVO for heavy overclocking due to excessive noise at high TDP levels. Although its performance is much better than a standard cooler, it falls short compared to slightly more expensive options priced ten to twenty dollars higher.
I haven't used the Matterhorn before, so I can't comment much on it, but I'm planning to research it since I enjoy staying informed about what other users are doing.
Based on poor past experiences, I don't like products from Thermaltake. They often look good but usually offer low quality or underperform. I generally steer clear of their items except for a few mediocre cases they occasionally sell.
Alpenföhn Matterhorn Pure Edition, Thermaltake NIC C4/C5, Cryorig H5, Thermalright Macho REV B, Thermalright Macho x2, Phanteks ph-tc12
What do you think about the Zalman CNPS14X compared to the Thermaltake NIC C5, the PH-TC12 and the Hyper 212 evo? The CNPS14X currently has a $10 discount, making it available for 56CAD right now. Please reply fast so the rebate doesn't expire :S
UPDATE: I checked and the rebate ends on February 29.
Among these, the Thermaltake stands out as the top choice, followed by the PH-TC12, then the Zalman, and lastly the Hyper Evo. The two fans I'd suggest are the Silverstone AR-03 and Thermalright Macho Rev. A.
Most of these coolers aren't available in the Canadian market, or I wouldn't suggest them for anything other than light overclocking. The best option under 60 CAD is this one.
If Cryorig coolers were offered locally, I'd recommend the Cryorig H5 Ultimate or Universal, though I haven't seen it on any Canadian tech vendor sites yet. I wouldn't advise top-down style coolers for overclocking beyond the stock maximum turbo speed—perhaps a bit more would be better. You could still achieve stable 3.3-3.5Ghz performance from a very good top-down model.
Darkbreeze :
Most of the coolers I've seen are either out of stock in Canada or not worth considering beyond basic overclocking. The best option under 60 CAD seems to be this one.
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/256853...et_/BK013/
If Cryorig coolers were available locally, I'd recommend the H5 Ultimate or Universal models. However, I haven't seen them on any Canadian tech retailer sites yet. I wouldn't suggest top-down style coolers for overclocking beyond the stock maximum turbo if you're planning to push beyond that. A stable 3.3-3.5Ghz might be achievable with a decent top-down cooler.
I don't think the Shadowrock 2 is a great choice either, though it's not the worst among what I've mentioned.
In Canada, the Silverstone AR03 costs 84 dollars, the Thermalright Macho isn't even offered (though I concur on this one. If you manage to locate one, most of the Thermalright coolers are solid options, even if they tend to be pricier than another model with similar performance), the NIC C5 is 70 dollars and the Phanteks PH-TC12 models are significantly over budget except for the slim version which I wouldn't suggest for serious overclocking. Because none of the recommended models fit your budget or availability, my recommendation is the BeQuiet cooler.
Darkbreeze :
In Canada, the Silverstone AR03 costs 84 bucks, the Thermalright Macho isn’t even on the market (though I’d say it’s a fair trade-off). The NIC C5 is 70 bucks and the Phanteks PH-TC12 models are way out of budget except for the slim version, which I wouldn’t suggest for serious overclocking. Since none of the options you mentioned fit the budget or availability in his market, I’d recommend the BeQuiet cooler.
Not necessarily disagreeing with that idea, just noting your caution about most of the models I suggested being better suited for light overclocking. The Be Quiet is a solid pick, especially if the others aren’t available or are much pricier. Another option I’d consider is the Xigmatek Prime SD1484.
I don't suggest the 212 EVO for heavy overclocking, as it tends to be very noisy when TDP is high. Although its performance is much better than a standard cooler, it falls short compared to models priced just ten to twenty dollars more.
I haven't used the Matterhorn before, so I can't comment much on it, but I'm planning to research it since I enjoy following other enthusiasts in the area.
Based on bad experiences with Thermaltake products, I don't like anything from them—often they're either low quality or don't deliver. I usually steer clear of their items except for a few mediocre cases they occasionally sell at a discount.
I thought there might be some decent top-down coolers available, but it seems unlikely. My apologies if that was the case.
Zalman offers some decent products, though most look like they're from a sci-fi comic book and often don't match the performance-to-cost ratio. Still, they might be worth considering if they're in stock locally.
The Zalman CNPS14X appears to underperform compared to other models, so it probably isn't the best choice. I'd recommend sticking with the 212 EVO or Dark Rock units if you're looking for a budget-friendly option.
It's really tough to find good budget coolers in Canada because hardware costs are high there.