Can anyone recommend a good cooler for i7 2600k

Hi folks

I've got an i7 2600k processor in an Asus p8z68 mobo. Using the stock Intel cooler at the moment but looking to overclock the system, and also do some home video editing. So guessing I need a better cooler. Can anyone recommend a good one? I'm not looking to spend a fortune. Around £25-£28 would be my upper limit.

So far I've looked at several blogs that have recommended the Cooler Master 212 Evo, but they are a couple of years old. Is this still good value for money or is there anything better out there? How about Arctic Cooling (Freezer 7 or Freezer 13?)

Any advice would be very welcome.
Thanks.

 

I agree. The Hyper 212 Evo works great with the Ivy Bridge.

 

I would stick with the OEM with a proper layer of quality TIM (thermal interface material) - at least until you see what your temps are. Remember, it is the case's responsibility to provide a sufficient "flow" of cool air through the case. The CPU fan need only toss the CPU's heat up into that flow. If the CPU is running hot, I recommend looking at replacing existing case fans with larger fans that move more air, or adding additional fans - if the case allows. If the case does not allow for better cooling, consider a new case that does. I like Antec cases.

And in spite of what many will tell you, the OEM coolers are excellent coolers. They have to be as they are the ONLY coolers that, in the [admittedly rare] event a failed cooler takes out the CPU, where the maker covers the CPU too.

No aftermarket cooler covers damage to the CPU in their warranties.

Also, it must be noted that any over clocking increases the demands on the motherboard voltage regulators and distribution circuits, as well as the PSU.

In recent (last 5 - 7) years, OEM coolers are more than capable of keeping their respective CPUs cool, even with mild to moderate overclocking.

My problem with the EVO 212 is it fires sideways. It is important to remember that motherboard designers intentionally cluster heat sensitive and heat generating devices (including the chipset) around the CPU socket so they too can take advantage of the "expected" air flow created by the "expected" OEM cooler.

A downward firing fan will spread out the air while a side firing fan moves air in one direction that will vary, depending on how the user mounts the assembly.

Another issue with using after market coolers is they void the warranty of the CPU!!!! This applies to CPUs that come packaged with an OEM cooler. These are sold as "a unit" and therefore are required to be used together to keep the 3-year warranty intact.

If the warranty is not a concern, and it is not for a lot of enthusiasts, then that's fine as long as you understand the consequences.

Full disclosure - I am not an "extreme" overclocker. Most of the major motherboard makers (ASUS, Gigabyte, etc.) provide overclocking software with their boards. I run with Gigabyte's using their mid level OC preset levels and my CPU temps typically sit in the low 40°Cs using the OEM cooler.

If I can complain about OEM coolers, it is noise. Again, OEM coolers are much better (and quieter) than older OEM coolers - and a good case will certainly help stifle noise. But if integrating this computer into a home theater, a quieter or even "passive" (no fan) cooler may be desired.

Note both AMD and Intel offer many of their CPUs packaged for OEM sales. These do not include a OEM cooler in the package, but OEM CPUs are warrantied for only 1 year while full retail "boxed" CPUs packaged with OEM coolers are warrantied for 3 years.

Again, if potentially voiding your warranty is not a concern, then no problem - just making sure you understand the consequences.

 

OverclockersClub.com > Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo Review

 

Thanks for that Bill. Idle temps are not too bad, around the 45 degree Celsius mark. But when I tried to use Windows movie maker even just importing the video clips into the project caused the temps to gradually increase to over 90 degrees. Temperature warnings flashed up too. One time it even shut the computer down. The OEM cooler came with TIM already applied so that is what I'm using at the moment.

 

90°C is definitely too high. I don't like my CPU temps to sit above 60°C.

Still, if you are not currently overclocking, the OEM cooler should easily cool that CPU - assuming the TIM is good and the HSF assembly is securely mounted.

So, that points to case cooling.

Whatever you do, you need to get your cooling under control before even thinking of overclocking.