300$ Case + CPU cooler options?

[ccaian]

I'm currently eyeing the noctua nhd14 and the fractal design r4 now, but my main concern is actually temperature, but I heard the fractal design case is all about silence. My CPU can hit almost 100 degrees at normal gaming sessions which is pretty bad. For my priorities I would say solve the temperature issue first, just make it cool enough so that it won't cause damage. My second priority is sound because I can get pretty irritated at fan noises. Im currently using a stock cooler for my i7960, its at stock clocks now but im planning to over clock. And the case must fit my 7970 >:D. I have slide mine in sideways for the case Im using now (Cooler master 310 elite)

PS I can stretch my budget abit for an awesome case !

[onionring]

Your temperature and noise problem comes form the stock cpu cooler, remove that as soon as you can!!!

The nhd14 is one of the best possible cooler you can get excluding a custom watercooling loop.

There is no way your cpu will get to more than 80C even in a crappy case and the R4 is not one of those.

If you want quiet the define r4 is definatly one of the best case you can get.

[NamelessTed]

Both the Noctue NH-D14 and the Define R4 are great options. I haven't used a Noctua but have only heard good things about their performance. I just recently upgraded my case to the Define R4 and I absolutely love it. I have both of the 140mm fans that it shipped with as intakes in front connected to the internal fan controller on the lowest settings and they are extremely quiet and move enough air to keep my setup cool.

[Mattyd]

Your temperature and noise problem comes form the stock cpu cooler, remove that as soon as you can!!!

The nhd14 is one of the best possible cooler you can get excluding a custom watercooling loop.

There is no way your cpu will get to more than 80C even in a crappy case and the R4 is not one of those.

If you want quiet the define r4 is definatly one of the best case you can get.

100% this. Although I'm using the Thermaltake Frio Advanced CPU heatsink and it's great too. It's also a little cheaper than the NHD14

[mgsstar]

The Noctua NH-D14 and the Define R4 like your said are great choices. The Noctua NH-D14 is the best air cooler imo and the R4 is a silent case while offering good airflow.

[airdeano]

my i5-2550k at 4.9GHz (1.39vcore) will hold 79° 24/7 with the NH-D14 in a FD Arc Midi

 

and for giggles, the H100 will do the same in push/pull, but a lil cooler at 68° with ambient of 26.7° and the H100 is on 7v molex power. both quiet and cool... airdeano

[onionring]

hey airdeano

 

Did you plastidip the top of your nhd14?

It looks way better with the white coat on top!

[airdeano]

hey airdeano

 

Did you plastidip the top of your nhd14?

It looks way better with the white coat on top!

 

nopers, it is all paint.. took 2hrs to mask that puppy and not bend any of the

support tabs (jeeze.. that was tough) and 3hrs to mask the fans. i'm with ya

on the looks department.. a real jazzy scheme. thanks for the shout-out!

 

airdeano