Undecided on CPU cooling
Undecided on CPU cooling
I am preparing to utilize 3D tools and video editing tasks. My upcoming PC features an ATX Asus Prine z370-A motherboard, an i7-8700k processor, 64GB DDR4-3200 RAM, and an asus dual gtx1060-o6g graphics card. The case I have is a mid-tower Rosewill R5, which supports up to 170 mm of CPU cooler height and accommodates eight fans.
I am having trouble choosing a suitable CPU cooler. All the information available seems outdated, especially regarding temperature management. My previous research on coolers from Tom did not include temperature details. I need to prioritize three factors: the internal temperature inside the PC, the noise level, and the overall performance quality. Once those are clear, I can proceed with selecting a cooler.
I will not opt for water cooling since it seems necessary to replace them frequently, which could be costly. Water cooling also isn't viable here because there have been leaks in my system. An air cooler would mean using a large unit weighing around 1.3 kg—something that seems impractical given the advice to go with water cooling. I was advised against water cooling because it risks damaging the motherboard.
Could anyone share their experience with similar setups (including overclocking), and if they have any feedback on the air coolers they use? I plan to overclock when needed, unless there’s a reason not to do so for my video processing tasks.
Thank you.
One of the issues with cooler reviews is that they are conducted in a perfect, manageable setting, such as on a workbench.
Users usually place components inside a case.
To achieve effective cooling, a case must permit enough airflow so any cooler can perform its task.
I prefer at least two 120/140mm front intake fans that are filtered.
This setup is adequate for running an overclocked 8700K and a GTX1080ti card.
I am a big fan of Noctua. They produce high-quality coolers.
They are straightforward to install, efficient, and include low-noise adapters.
If your case has space for an 160mm fan, the Noctua NH-D15s will suffice.
Their TDP guidelines can be found here: https://noctua.at/en/tdp-guide
Noctua NH-D15S offers top-notch performance in a compact form, avoiding common problems with RAM and PCIe slots. It delivers excellent cooling efficiency.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5AP_Nqqx8E
Research suggests it works well for many users; my old NH-D14 still performs excellently after six years.
Additional tips:
- Configure the motherboard’s fan control software to keep the i7-8700K below 80°C during intense real-world tasks like Blender or Handbrake.
- Ambient temperature, case design, and silicon variations can affect stability—expect slight fluctuations around 5GHz.
- Temperature sensitivity is notable; manual testing is recommended over relying on preset profiles.
However, for those familiar with the subject—such as builders, enthusiasts, and even users who spend hours editing videos—and you're looking for quiet operation, excellent performance from an air cooler...
One of the issues with reviews is that they are often conducted in a perfect, controlled setting—like on a workbench.
In real use, we usually place components inside a case.
To achieve effective cooling, a case must permit enough airflow so any cooler can perform its role.
I prefer at least two 120/140mm front intake fans that are filtered.
This setup is adequate for running an overclocked 8700K and a GTX1080ti card.
I’m a big fan of Noctua. They produce high-quality coolers.
They’re straightforward to install, efficient, and include low-noise adapters.
If your case has space for an 160mm fan, the Noctua NH-D15s will suffice.
Their TDP guidelines are available here: https://noctua.at/en/tdp-guide
You might be curious about how much overclocking is possible.
That depends largely on finding a suitable case.
As of 12/01/2017
The percentage of I7-8700K chips that can handle an aggressive Vcore near 1.4 or so with a delidded 4.9 99% rating, 5.0 72%, 5.1 43%, 5.2 16%, and 5.3 3% is quite high.
Most users find that their tolerance for a high Vcore and elevated temperatures aligns around the same level.
You don’t really need to overclock an 8700K—it’s already very capable at stock.
By the way:
My personal take on liquid cooling:
Cooler evaluations on Tom's are made inside a Corsair 760T enclosure.
Photonboy and geofelt are both solid options, but I can only choose one since it seems to be the one mentioned. Photonboy, I submitted a vote for you.
However, I'll need to acquire an additional fan for the noctua nh-d15 to match the nh d15 score. Thank you.
Be mindful of the notable distinction between the NH-D15 and the NH-D15s.
The s variants have been updated to remove the tall ram and are positioned to accommodate graphics cards in the first pciex16 slot.
Both options will effectively handle cooling.
In fact, the NH-D15s doesn’t require a second fan; I’d suggest starting with the original setup.
You can always install a second fan later.
Installing an unnecessary fan increases cost and causes more noise.
The Corsair 760T mentioned earlier serves as a solid example of what I think is a quality case.
It includes two 140mm front fans equipped with filters.
I’m not overly concerned about flashy designs.