Low profile CPU coolers

[Moress]

So I built a mATX rig today so I could lug it back a forth to school easier. Only issue is that it allows only up to 140mm tall CPU coolers. I had a Hyper 212 evo but gave it to my brother since it wouldn't fit.
Right now my CPU, on the stock cooler, idles at around 35-40C and hits about 81 at 95% load. And that is a lot hotter than I would like to see it at.

I can't overclock obviously so all I would like to do is keep the load temps in the low 70s and idles in the 20s.

 

Right now I'm thinking about the Noctua NH-L9i which is more compact than I need, so if I could get something that performs better and costs the same or less Id prefer that.

Rig.

CPU: I5-4590

GPU: Gigabyte GTX 970

Mobo: AsRock H97m Pro4
Case: Zalman t4

 

[LLCooLM495]

If you can afford a $100 cooler, try to find an AIO liquid cooler like a Corsair H80i

[Starelementpoke]

8 minutes ago, Moress said:

So I built a mATX rig today so I could lug it back a forth to school easier. Only issue is that it allows only up to 140mm tall CPU coolers. I had a Hyper 212 evo but gave it to my brother since it wouldn't fit.
Right now my CPU, on the stock cooler, idles at around 35-40C and hits about 81 at 95% load. And that is a lot hotter than I would like to see it at.

I can't overclock obviously so all I would like to do is keep the load temps in the low 70s and idles in the 20s.

 

Right now I'm thinking about the Noctua NH-L9i which is more compact than I need, so if I could get something that performs better and costs the same or less Id prefer that.

Rig.

CPU: I5-4590

GPU: Gigabyte GTX 970

Mobo: AsRock H97m Pro4
Case: Zalman t4

 

The C7 maybe?

[Energycore]

9 minutes ago, Moress said:

So I built a mATX rig today so I could lug it back a forth to school easier. Only issue is that it allows only up to 140mm tall CPU coolers. I had a Hyper 212 evo but gave it to my brother since it wouldn't fit.
Right now my CPU, on the stock cooler, idles at around 35-40C and hits about 81 at 95% load. And that is a lot hotter than I would like to see it at.

I can't overclock obviously so all I would like to do is keep the load temps in the low 70s and idles in the 20s.

 

Right now I'm thinking about the Noctua NH-L9i which is more compact than I need, so if I could get something that performs better and costs the same or less Id prefer that.

Rig.

CPU: I5-4590

GPU: Gigabyte GTX 970

Mobo: AsRock H97m Pro4
Case: Zalman t4

 

One of the sexiest looking CPU coolers is the Cryorig C7

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/Lbhj4D/cryorig-cpu-cooler-c7 - It's really expensive right now usually it's $35

 

The be quiet! Shadow Rock LP is really good although not as smexe

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/9FGj4D/be-quiet-cpu-cooler-bk002 - $40 at NCIX US

 

There's also the Arctic Freezer 11 LP

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/FyMFf7/arctic-cooling-cpu-cooler-acfz11lp - $17. Doesn't perform as well but it'll be better than stock

 

You can also try undervolting the CPU for less power / heat. It will take a long stress test though

[Moress]

11 hours ago, Energycore said:

One of the sexiest looking CPU coolers is the Cryorig C7

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/Lbhj4D/cryorig-cpu-cooler-c7 - It's really expensive right now usually it's $35

 

The be quiet! Shadow Rock LP is really good although not as smexe

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/9FGj4D/be-quiet-cpu-cooler-bk002 - $40 at NCIX US

 

There's also the Arctic Freezer 11 LP

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/FyMFf7/arctic-cooling-cpu-cooler-acfz11lp - $17. Doesn't perform as well but it'll be better than stock

 

You can also try undervolting the CPU for less power / heat. It will take a long stress test though

So my cpu just hit 100C within a few minutes under full load from Crysis. Will the Shadow Rock LP keep something that's acting like that at a good temp?

[Moress]

11 hours ago, LLCooLM495 said:

If you can afford a $100 cooler, try to find an AIO liquid cooler like a Corsair H80i

The case isnt set up for an AIO. Would have to mount it to the side panel

[ARikozuM]

My favorite low-profile CPU cooler would be the SilenX EFZ-92HA2. The fan doesn't create much noise and the arrangement of the aluminum fins allows more surface area for passive heat dissipation. Just take a plastic card to evenly space the fins out.

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/sKjG3C/silenx-cpu-cooler-efz92ha2

 

[LLCooLM495]

1 minute ago, Moress said:

The case isnt set up for an AIO. Would have to mount it to the side panel

Ohhhh yeah, mATX.  Lemme look up your case  

[Energycore]

1 minute ago, Moress said:

So my cpu just hit 100C within a few minutes under full load from Crysis. Will the Shadow Rock LP keep something that's acting like that at a good temp?

Absolutely. Here's a review.

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mini-itx-cpu-air-cooler-round-up,4406-6.html

 

Also, if your CPU is hitting that high a temperature, the cooler might be broken. Stock cooler push pins break all the time and if the CPU isn't making good contact it will overheat as soon as you put any load on it.

 

You can work around this problem by using zip ties a'la Linus, until your aftermarket cooler arrives (also make sure you have thermal paste in there c:)

[Energycore]

2 minutes ago, LLCooLM495 said:

Ohhhh yeah, mATX.  Lemme look up your case  

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/f9xfrH/zalman-case-zmt4

 

CPU Cooler clearing is 140mm

 

Best cooler at this height is the Noctua NH-C14, but it also costs $80

[LLCooLM495]

Ok managed to find someone who mounted an AIO in theirs http://cdn1.expertreviews.co.uk/sites/expertreviews/files/2015/10/chillblastguts_0.jpg?itok=6mFlyWfs

[Energycore]

This one performs just below the NH-D14

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/kykwrH/noctua-cpu-cooler-nhc14s

[Moress]

11 hours ago, Energycore said:

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/f9xfrH/zalman-case-zmt4

 

CPU Cooler clearing is 140mm

 

Best cooler at this height is the Noctua NH-C14, but it also costs $70

F it, Ill get that. I'm sick of having issues cause of my cheapness.

[Energycore]

1 minute ago, Moress said:

F it, Ill get that. I'm sick of having issues cause of my cheapness.

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/kykwrH/noctua-cpu-cooler-nhc14s

 

Review: https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Noctua/NH-C14S/

 

tbh this cooler is overkill though. Get the Shadow Rock Slim

 

[Moress]

11 hours ago, LLCooLM495 said:

Ok managed to find someone who mounted an AIO in theirs http://cdn1.expertreviews.co.uk/sites/expertreviews/files/2015/10/chillblastguts_0.jpg?itok=6mFlyWfs

That would work if my cable management wasnt a nightmare lol. Its my first build soo

[LLCooLM495]

 

2 minutes ago, Moress said:

That would work if my cable management wasnt a nightmare lol. Its my first build soo

Understood!  Only reason I was able to cable manage was because my side panel sticks out enough to shove all the cables behind!  

[WoodenMarker]

81c at load is perfectly fine.

[Moress]

7 hours ago, WoodenMarker said:

81c at load is perfectly fine.

it hit 100c under load from a harder game. I ordered the Shadow Rock LP already.

[Heesleemer]

2 hours ago, Moress said:

it hit 100c under load from a harder game. I ordered the Shadow Rock LP already.

not the nhc 14? overkill is under rated man =P

[Moress]

4 hours ago, Heesleemer said:

not the nhc 14? overkill is under rated man =P

Id get something thats overkill if it was unlocked, otherwise its just book money going into that tower lol

[Heesleemer]

1 hour ago, Moress said:

Id get something thats overkill if it was unlocked, otherwise its just book money going into that tower lol

College books? 

[ARikozuM]

57 minutes ago, Heesleemer said:

College books? 

Remember, GPU's are business and college expenses. It helps with lectures and number crunching.

[Moress]

4 hours ago, Heesleemer said:

College books? 

Yeah lol I'm in my third year of college. And books can be anywhere from $250 a semester to like $600 so Im pinching pennies before this upcoming semester.

[Heesleemer]

4 minutes ago, Moress said:

Yeah lol I'm in my third year of college. And books can be anywhere from $250 a semester to like $600 so Im pinching pennies before this upcoming semester.

so glad by the time my junior and senior years of college, most my assignments/textbooks were just academic journals we just printed out. 

[Moress]

31 minutes ago, Heesleemer said:

so glad by the time my junior and senior years of college, most my assignments/textbooks were just academic journals we just printed out. 

Im in psychology so its all textbook, which arent normally too crazy but I had one last semester that was $250 alone.