CPU cooler under 160mm (max. height)

[AxisHax66]

I plan to upgrade to an i7-7700K in the future and I've been looking for a CPU cooler that could fit into both my case and my budget ($75). I found just 3 brands at my price point: Zalman, Deepcool and Cooler Master, which one's better? It needs to be under 160mm (max. height).

[AxisHax66]

By the way, I live in Argentina, there aren't many brands available here.

[Zando_]

Cryorig makes good ones too. 

 

EDIT: And Cooler Master makes the Hyper 212 Evo, right? That's one of the best air coolers for the price. 

[AxisHax66]

1 minute ago, Zando Bob said:

Cryorig makes good ones too. 

Cryorig's not available here, at least not at my price point.

[Zando_]

Just now, AxisHax66 said:

Cryorig's not available here.

See my edit. 

[AxisHax66]

Just now, Zando Bob said:

See my edit. 

Yes, but I've been told a few days ago that 212 EVO isn't a good option anymore, what about Gammaxx 400? Is it any good for OC?

[Thinkfreely]

You going for AIO or Air?

[AxisHax66]

Just now, Thinkfreely said:

You going for AIO or Air?

Air, AIOs are very overpriced here.

[Zando_]

Just now, AxisHax66 said:

Yes, but I've been told a few days ago that 212 EVO isn't a good option anymore, what about Gammaxx 400? Is it any good for OC?

It's often beat out by the Cryorig H7 in budget builds, but it's still a solid cooler. Though you'll want a beefy one for a 7700K. 

[AxisHax66]

1 minute ago, Zando Bob said:

Though you'll want a beefy one for a 7700K. 

Exactly, I was keeping an eye over Lucifer V2, but it's too tall for my case ...

[Thinkfreely]

Personally I would go with Deepcool. I have had really good success with them, both air and AIO. I was buying them a year ago before anyone did a review on them or anyone used them widely.

[AxisHax66]

3 minutes ago, Thinkfreely said:

Personally I would go with Deepcool.

Will Gammax 400 be enough for OCing an i7-7700K? And for keeping it below dangerous temps?

[Thinkfreely]

Just now, AxisHax66 said:

Will Gammax 400 be enough for OCing an i7-7700K?

If you set the fan speed to 100% (and don't mind the noise) then yes you can do some mid overclocking with it. Just remember that on air with most overclocking you will reach a cap unless you then get into doing water aio or custom cooling. You will also be at the mercy of your ambient room temp and then case airfolow.

[AxisHax66]

Just now, Thinkfreely said:

If you set the fan speed to 100% (and don't mind the noise) then yes you can do some mid overclocking with it. Just remember that on air with most overclocking you will reach a cap unless you then get into doing water aio or custom cooling. You will also be at the mercy of your ambient room temp and then case airfolow.

Okay... Also, what about Frio Silent 14? I just found one kinda cheap.

[Thinkfreely]

13 minutes ago, AxisHax66 said:

Okay... Also, what about Frio Silent 14? I just found one kinda cheap.

So the Frio's fan is a little oversized for the rad fins, meaning that while its blowing air over a larger area, its not benefiting the fin rad as much as it could as all of that air is passing "around" the fin rad, not through it, thus not removing as much heat. Its also not as large of a fin rad, meaning it doesn't have as much surface area to draw off heat, and its maximum fan RPM is about 300 less then the Gammax, 1200 vs 1500. Which is why I am guess its cheaper. I edited my horrible grammar btw.

[AxisHax66]

7 minutes ago, Thinkfreely said:

So the Frio's fan is a little oversized for the rad fins, meaning that while its blowing air over a larger area, its not benefiting the fin rad as much as it could as all of that air is passing "around" the fin rad, not through it, thus not removing as much heat. Its also not as large of a fin rad, meaning it doesn't have as much surface area to draw off heat, and its maximum fan RPM is about 300 less then the Gammax, 1200 vs 1500. Which is why I am guess its cheaper. I edited my horrible grammar btw.

So, the thing is between Gammaxx 400, 212 EVO and CNPS10X Optima... I just found that Zalman very cheap. Maybe Maelstrom 120T, too...

[Thinkfreely]

Sure, which I said it's cheaper. But your planning on overclocking with air and so you need every bit of performance.

[AxisHax66]

Just now, Thinkfreely said:

Sure, which I said it's cheaper. But your planning on overclocking with air and so you need every bit of performance.

Which one'd be better? Between those 4 I just mentioned.

[aisle9]

34 minutes ago, AxisHax66 said:

Will Gammax 400 be enough for OCing an i7-7700K? And for keeping it below dangerous temps?

The Gammaxx 400 outperforms the 212 EVO and is a bit smaller, although it's within what I'd consider to be the margin of error.