Best AIR CPU Cooler

[Agent181]

I was looking for a good air cooler for my FX-8350  on a gigabyte 990fx UD5.  Cpu is not overclocked yet, I want to get a good burn in for 1 month before I overclock.

 

Which one of these is great or the best out of all of them?

 

Gelid Solutions Black edition http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gelid-solutions-cpu-cooler-ccbedition01a

 

Thermalright Silver Arrow IB-E Extreme http://pcpartpicker.com/part/thermalright-cpu-cooler-silverarrowibeextreme

 

Noctua NHD-14 http://pcpartpicker.com/part/noctua-cpu-cooler-nhd14

 

Noctua NHD-15 http://pcpartpicker.com/part/noctua-cpu-cooler-nhd15

 

Phanteks PH-TC14PE http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-cpu-cooler-phtc14pebk

 

Evercool HPO-12025 http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evercool-cpu-cooler-hpo12025

[Shroomster]

NH-D15 is the best.

[Shroomster]

It is a bit big, but great performance. It is pretty much even with an h100i

[PokémonTrainerFour]

NH-D15, that is THE air cooler.

 

if you can replace fans on it though I say buy a NoiseBlocker or two and slap those on because brown is stupid (unless you have a wood themed build)

[daemonowner]

As above, NH-D15, but also add the bequiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 to the list of impressive CPU air coolers.

[ilikemacandpc]

As above, NH-D15, but also add the bequiet! Dark Rock Pro 3 to the list of impressive CPU air coolers.

 

That was what i would suggest. It also looks pretty ballin compared to the rest. 

[gundershot]

I believe the NH-D15 is the most powerful air cooler currently available.

[Shaqo_Wyn]

 

 

Since everybody else decided to repeat the exact same recommendation multiple times. I'd like to point out that the Phanteks TC14PE performs just as well as the NH-D15 and comes in a few colors that might better match your builds color scheme. The NH-D15 is great though.

[BaSkA]

The only reason to buy the NH-D15 over the NH-D14 is the RAM clearance. If you have low profile memory modules, get the NH-D14 for 20$ cheaper and 1 or 2 ºC difference in performance.

[loccilucas]

It is a bit big, but great performance. It is pretty much even with an h100i

Actually it beats the h100i by lots, all the coolers there except the evercool beat the h100i.

 

The only reason to buy the NH-D15 over the NH-D14 is the RAM clearance. If you have low profile memory modules, get the NH-D14 for 20$ cheaper and 1 or 2 ºC difference in performance.

its quite abit more than 1-2c, I personally think its worth $20

[BaSkA]

Actually it beats the h100i by lots, all the coolers there except the evercool beat the h100i.

 

its quite abit more than 1-2c, I personally think its worth $20

 

As said before, the NH-D15 is the best air cooler on the market, however, not the best on the "buck for the bang" way of thinking.

If money/height is not a problem, NH-D15, always, obviously.

[Agent181]

Since everybody else decided to repeat the exact same recommendation multiple times. I'd like to point out that the Phanteks TC14PE performs just as well as the NH-D15 and comes in a few colors that might better match your builds color scheme. The NH-D15 is great though.

Is it just about the same with the Noctua, The Phantecks PH-TC14PE and be quiet dark power pro 3 fit my build well, its a white and black  build.  Are they just about the same with performance because the Noctua is more expensive than the other 2.

[BaSkA]

Is it just about the same with the Noctua, The Phantecks PH-TC14PE and be quiet dark power pro 3 fit my build well, its a white and black  build.  Are they just about the same with performance because the Noctua is more expensive than the other 2.

 

They have about the same performance, I believe the best and most quiet is the Noctua - hence the price.

 

There are quite a few tests and benchmarks with all of those: here and here for example. I believe there are plenty more out there so you can also look for them.

 

They say Noctua will give you new mounting brackets if you ever need them. Phanteks has many colors. The be quiet! is the best looking for me.

 

It's up to you and your budget. If getting the NH-D15 will be tough to pay, get a cheaper one for sligh difference in performance. Also consider the NH-D14.

 

You won't regret any. Good luck with your choice.

 

 

Off-topic: I don't know how good are the included thermal pastes from Phanteks/be quiet! so it might be worth getting an aftermarket one if they are not "as good" as Noctua's.

[Shaqo_Wyn]

Is it just about the same with the Noctua, The Phantecks PH-TC14PE and be quiet dark power pro 3 fit my build well, its a white and black  build.  Are they just about the same with performance because the Noctua is more expensive than the other 2.

 

http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2766&page=5

 

Compare the NH-D15, TC14PE and Dark Rock Pro 3 in regards to there placement on this list. You'll notice that they don't differ too much in terms of both thermal and noise performance.

 

The TC14PE being closer to the NH-D15 than the Dark Rock Pro 3 is, but these coolers perform very much the same when overclocking.

[Agent181]

I'm going to get the phantecks then, thanks everyone that helped.