CPU Cooler Advice

Stalfelz · May 20, 2021

I'm planning a new SFF PC to run Apache and a Minecraft server on. My current build is an i7-7700 with an NH-L9i and 16GB RAM running off a Pico-PSU 160XT in an M360 enclosure. It's tiny, quiet, and I freaking love it, but I want moar powah so it can handle a lot of people being connected to the Minecraft server at once. Presently I'm looking at a i9-11900k (unless you can suggest a better CPU for a Minecraft server), 32GB RAM, and an SF600 80+ Platinum PSU. The problem here is, I very much want to cool it with an NH-D15, but the case I chose (Nouvolo Borg) only has clearance for 145mm coolers. I thought about using an NH-C14S with an NF-A15 added as a second fan, but it would probably thermal throttle with that. I've also considered using a Cryorig H7, but I honestly don't know if that would be any better than the C14S, and it certainly wouldn't be as good as a D15. So which one would be better? And would swapping out the fans on the Cryorig with Noctua fans yield a noticeable improvement?

I could just use a different case, but the only one I've found that would fit where I'm putting it (Lian Li PC-Q33/PC-Q34) is no longer available. Also, I really like how the Borg looks. I kind of want to paint it to look like a command block as well.

TL;DR Which cooler would be better for an i9-11900k: NH-C14S or Cryorig H7?

Light-Yagami · May 20, 2021

First of all, stay far away from 11900k. It's the biggest scam of a CPU in the last decade. For your server, go with Intel 10th gen i9-10900k. It has 2 more cores, far better multicore which you need, and it won't draw as much power. (or just go with last gen AMD part such as 3900x)

Next, don't use air coolers. Get an AIO. If you need a recommendation for which one to get, Gamers Nexus on YouTube has got you covered.

As for the RAM - don't bother with ultra high frequencies. Get a 3200/3600mhz with low latency.

Stalfelz · May 20, 2021

The main purpose of this machine is running a Minecraft server, which does not benefit from additional cores. AMD does not have integrated graphics, and I won't be using a GPU with this machine. No benefit to using one, and they're hard as balls to get right now anyway. Do not want to use an AIO. As unlikely as it is, a leak risk is still a leak risk. Moreover, I'm trying to keep this system compact. An NH-D15 will beat any 120mm AIO and is on par with most 240mm AIO, which take up significantly more space, and would not fit in my chassis choice. Obviously I'm not using an NH-D15 though.... sigh

My RAM choice is 2x16GB DDR4 3200 C16

What makes the 11900k a scam? It doesn't cost much more than the 10900k as of time of writing, and they're both 125w TDP. The 10900k does have a higher base clock, which should be better for the Minecraft server. userbenchmark.com shows the 11900k having 24% better single core performance however, so I'm not sure. Hmm...

Edit: So it would appear that the 10900k is better than the 11900k in pretty much all aspects—at least on paper—whilst being cheaper, so I can see what you mean by scam. And yet, benchmarks all say 11900k performs better.