H80 or Silver Arrow

[GeneO]

H80 or Silver Arrow or TPC 812

Hi,

Looking to upgrade my cooling, I want something that is not too loud but can cool very good at medium to high overclock. I currently have a hyper 212+.

I would immediately jump on the silver arrow except it will barely fit into my case (fractal R3) by orienting the fans correctly.

Anybody with experience with the H80? One option might be to use my CM blademaster PWM fans on it instead of the stock fans - they are fairly good.

I am thinking about the TPC 812. I think I am going to get that one,

 

[GeneO]

Went out and got the TPC 812. Will let you know how it goes.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

You should be happy with the Coolermaster, I would say that any of the Corsair H series are best with quality replacement fans and this can add an extra 50.00 usd to the cost but well worth the effort.

 

[essenbe]

My experience is different than most. I have a Noctua NH-D14 and a Corsair H100. The H100 is set up with 4 Noctua fans in push pull. And my experience, it won't come close to matching the D14. If you want an H 100, I happen to know where you could get one at a reasonable price. I believe a NH-D14, Silver Arrow or a Phanteks (sp?) are better choices. That's my personal experience, others mileage will vary.

 

[GeneO]

I think that is the norm Steve. The NH-D14 and silver arrow have a huge amount of surface area for cooling, so as long as the got the transfer via the heat pipes right...

The TPC 810 didn't pan out too well. While it is OK and well constructed and has better looks than the 212+, it didn't cool my 2500K @ 4.5 GHz much better than my 212+ did and costs a whole lot more. I tried various TIM application methods and all made good contact but no go. The vapor chambers seem to be more vapor-ware in my experience.

 

[essenbe]

Gene, I was hoping that it would work out well for you. I have read some good reviews on it. I'm glad to hear some first hand experience. I probably own enough CPU coolers to open my own shop. What I have learned about air cooling is exactly what you said. If you are going to air cool, get a well designed cooler with almost massive size, and good fans. Then you will most likely get good results. as far as I'm concerned, if a D14, Silver Arrow or Phanteks won't cool it, start looking for a good water loop.

 

[pparks1]

GeneO, it's a bummer that your new cooler didn't work out much better for you, but it does reaffirm that the 212+ cooler is a really solid cooler for a great price.

Thanks for posting your results. I don't have much experience with aftermarket coolers, as I've never really had a heat problem that warranted them, and I don't overclock far enough to make it necessary.

 

[GeneO]

Well I knew I was taking a chance. No more CM cooling offerings for me. I did learn you can't trust 90% of the reviews out there,

 

[pparks1]

One of the problems that we have as tech enthusiasts is that often our upgrades are accompanied with diminishing returns. We end up spending more, to get a smaller return on investment.

 

[essenbe]

Well I knew I was taking a chance. No more CM cooling offerings for me. I did learn you can't trust 90% of the reviews out there,

+1 on that. Based on reviews, I spent a lot of money on coolers that could not do the job. Right now on Frosty Tech, they have the Corsair H 100 with 2 fans listed as the #1 cooler for Intel chips. I have one installed right now with 4 fans. Yesterday I hit 82C at 4.5. I know a lot of people get good results with them, but not me. Of course, I really think that some CPUs just run hotter than others, and some a lot hotter. I can say that I have never found an air cooler that will beat the D14, and that includes the enclosed water coolers. It does help if you live in a cooler climate. Florida does not fall into that catagory.

 

[tw33k]

I tested my H100 vs Silver Arrow SB-E vs Phanteks PH-TC14PE. First test was with stock fans. For the second test I added a Scythe Ultra Kaze 3000 to the heatsinks and 4 to the H100 in push/pull. The results are here

 

[essenbe]

Tw33k, I bet the ultra Kaze fans were loud. But, I sure would like to know how you got such good results with the H100. I have one I have tried 3 different type fans on in every configuration possible, and I get bad results. The funny thing is it does not matter what configuration or fan type I use. The results are exactly the same. But the Ultra Kaze fans put out a lot of air, but they are expensive. You have to buy headphones to use them.

 

[tw33k]

Have you tried replacing the TIM and re-seating it? I didn't do anything out of the ordinary but I do have good air flow (lots of intake fans with only the H100 as exhaust). As for the UK 3000s, they aren't quiet but I don't even notice them now unless I focus on the sound. They just fade into the background.

 

[essenbe]

At least 10 times. I've used AS5, Noctua NH-1, and IC Diamond.

 

[simmo]

Well I knew I was taking a chance. No more CM cooling offerings for me. I did learn you can't trust 90% of the reviews out there,

+1 on that. Based on reviews, I spent a lot of money on coolers that could not do the job. Right now on Frosty Tech, they have the Corsair H 100 with 2 fans listed as the #1 cooler for Intel chips. I have one installed right now with 4 fans. Yesterday I hit 82C at 4.5. I know a lot of people get good results with them, but not me. Of course, I really think that some CPUs just run hotter than others, and some a lot hotter. I can say that I have never found an air cooler that will beat the D14, and that includes the enclosed water coolers. It does help if you live in a cooler climate. Florida does not fall into that catagory.

Ambient temps have a BIG influence on cooling as I see you have found out. A Custom waterloop will work better than the premade variety but having said that I have used the H80 modified to fit a res into the loop (along with Noctua fans in push/pull config) with good results on a x58 based system.
If your in a room with high ambient temps tho it will negate the cooling properties of whatever cooling you use so you will need to have to wind back your clocks in summer and vice versa in winter.

 

[smarteyeball]

Well I knew I was taking a chance. No more CM cooling offerings for me. I did learn you can't trust 90% of the reviews out there,

Start with 'reviews' to help focus searches - but anecdotal evidence is where it's at.

Unless everybody has has an open test bench in a air conditioned room that is...