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Best cooler for $80?

Makaseo
By Makaseo
in New Builds and Planning
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Hi guys, currently building a desktop but I really need to replace that unsightly stock cooler. What's the best cooler that I can get for $80 or less? I'll be cooling a 4670k in a Define R4 with a Vengeance Pro kit, which I think isn't too high-profile if I'm not mistaken.

 

I'm not too picky on closed-loop liquid or air cooling, as long as it looks decent through my case's window. I've heard really good things about the 212 Evo but it doesn't look all that great and my budget allows for quite a bit more. Would the H80i be my best bet? Or are there other options I should consider?

 

Appreciate all replies!

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Either that, or the NH-D14 if you don't mind the Noctua colour theme.

"And yet my mind is screaming, provoked in an icy sweat. It’s pleading and begging for a release, scraping the walls of a padded cell, pounding hopelessly at the floors that won’t even deliver the gift of pain."  - Why I Don't Dream Anymore

 

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I had the same question for the Define R4 few days ago, I went with the Havik 140. I have high profile ram (corsair vengeance) but for intel I believe it should clear fine. Heres a link to someone with same case and Havik 140 on intel mobo.

 

 

They have another vid (on same channel) i saw recently with the windowed version but couldnt find it

Cpu: 8350 HS: Havik 140 Ram: Corsair vengeance 8 gb PS: Corsair TX-750 v2 Case: Fractal Design, Define R4 Case Fans:  Xigmatek Xaf-1255 (x2)

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Great fans, horrible colour scheme.

 

Haha, yeah. Oh well, it's a signature colour. Recognised anywhere and everywhere ;D

"And yet my mind is screaming, provoked in an icy sweat. It’s pleading and begging for a release, scraping the walls of a padded cell, pounding hopelessly at the floors that won’t even deliver the gift of pain."  - Why I Don't Dream Anymore

 

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Posted

i have a question

if some one doesn't delid and change the thermalpaste

is there any point in investing in a cooler ?

You'll still need a cooler.

 

Thanks for all the advice! If you don't mind me asking, which of these would be the quietest? I'm leaning towards the H80i or maybe even saving up to get the H100i, but am wondering if the Noctua would be significantly quieter than the others.

The Noctua NH-D14 should be significantly quieter than the h100i or h80i.

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
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You'll still need a cooler.

 

The Noctua NH-D14 should be significantly quieter than the h100i or h80i.

when i said investing i mean a aftermarket cooler

for overclocking

if the tim under the ihs is holding you back

If your grave doesn't say "rest in peace" on it You are automatically drafted into the skeleton war.

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when i said investing i mean a aftermarket cooler

for overclocking

if the tim under the ihs is holding you back

You could still use an aftermarket cooler to overclock in that situation. Of course it isn't as good, but people do it anyway. 

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
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If u don't like the color scheme of the noctua, Havik 140 a little more silent, and runs slightly cooler. Though I doubt that u will hear either of them in that case anyways. Are u going to be getting any other case fans with this build?

Cpu: 8350 HS: Havik 140 Ram: Corsair vengeance 8 gb PS: Corsair TX-750 v2 Case: Fractal Design, Define R4 Case Fans:  Xigmatek Xaf-1255 (x2)

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If u don't like the color scheme of the noctua, Havik 140 a little more silent, and runs slightly cooler. Though I doubt that u will hear either of them in that case anyways. Are u going to be getting any other case fans with this build?

 

I've been looking at the Havik, actually! And regarding case fans, I'm not sure if I should. Right now I'm planning on just going with the two 14's it comes with and keeping the roof mod-u-vent's on, but should I invest in better airflow as well?

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If u don't like the color scheme of the noctua, Havik 140 a little more silent, and runs slightly cooler. Though I doubt that u will hear either of them in that case anyways. Are u going to be getting any other case fans with this build?

Wait, what? Did you say the Havik is quieter and runs cooler than the NH-D14??

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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Wait, what? Did you say the Havik is quieter and runs cooler than the NH-D14??

Only slightly cooler, both pretty much equal in real world comparisons. Haviks fans are similar to xigmateks xaf-f12xx series fans that claim to be very quiet (which are the case fans I've order for my Define R4) also price wise haviks are only 60 USD vs 70-80 for noctua. Only thing that concerned me about my build is that the Video card would be louder than anything else, so i got the case fans (for better ventilation while staying silent) and thinking about getting asus 7950 for a more quiet card but it's all up to you though try checking out more options and see if there's other things out there that u might like better.

Cpu: 8350 HS: Havik 140 Ram: Corsair vengeance 8 gb PS: Corsair TX-750 v2 Case: Fractal Design, Define R4 Case Fans:  Xigmatek Xaf-1255 (x2)

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Only slightly cooler, both pretty much equal in real world comparisons. Haviks fans are similar to xigmateks xaf-f12xx series fans that claim to be very quiet (which are the case fans I've order for my Define R4) also price wise haviks are only 60 USD vs 70-80 for noctua. Only thing that concerned me about my build is that the Video card would be louder than anything else, so i got the case fans (for better ventilation while staying silent) and thinking about getting asus 7950 for a more quiet card but it's all up to you though try checking out more options and see if there's other things out there that u might like better.

I just looked it up. The NH-D14 is quieter at 12.6 - 19.8 dbA and cools better compared to Havik 140's 25.0 dbA.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/272251-29-nzxt-havik-noctua

 

If the Havik was truly quieter and cooler, I'm sure everyone would know about it.

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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I didn't really get that much from that link to be honest, yeah if you look on the details for the product they say around 25-26dba but then I had people on reviews saying that its quiet. from all the reviews ive seen the actual cooling was on par with very small margin of error. Then theres also people who run the fans at 50% instead 100 and its virtually silent(fans run at 1200rpm by default as it has 3-pin connectors for the dual fans) . We've kind of gone of subject from the OP's question but yes, I figure you are right with the noctua being quieter. Only question now is will he be able to hear whichever heatsink he chooses in the R4? Or will his video card be the loudest part of his build (if gaming or rendering)?

Cpu: 8350 HS: Havik 140 Ram: Corsair vengeance 8 gb PS: Corsair TX-750 v2 Case: Fractal Design, Define R4 Case Fans:  Xigmatek Xaf-1255 (x2)

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I didn't really get that much from that link to be honest, yeah if you look on the details for the product they say around 25-26dba but then I had people on reviews saying that its quiet. from all the reviews ive seen the actual cooling was on par with very small margin of error. Then theres also people who run the fans at 50% instead 100 and its virtually silent(fans run at 1200rpm by default as it has 3-pin connectors for the dual fans) . We've kind of gone of subject from the OP's question but yes, I figure you are right with the noctua being quieter. Only question now is will he be able to hear whichever heatsink he chooses in the R4? Or will his video card be the loudest part of his build (if gaming or rendering)?

All the cpu coolers listed so far are pretty quiet. Whether you can hear the cooler or not will depend on how warm the cpu gets/how far the OP pushes the clocks.

The loudest part will probably be the graphics card but we have no idea what that is.

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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