Cooling Recommendation for i7-3930K

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MossyRock

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May 15, 2013
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I've got a bit of a dillema here that I hope someone can help me with.

I'm planning a new build and here are the relevant items:
ASUS P9X79 Pro mobo
i7-3930K processor (NOT overclocked)
G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3 1600
Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650W PS
Xigmatek Elysium server case CCC-HSA0DS-U03

This rig will be running 12 threads of BOINC processes so the CPU will be at 100% 24x7. In my experience running BOINC on an older Intel Q6700 CPU is that while the CPU was always at 100%, the temps remained well below the CPU's max with a stock fan cooler. 100% of BOINC load is nowhere near 100% of Prime95 load. The Q6700 was not overclocked.

I have no experience with the i7-3930K and don't know what the cooling requirements will be in the above-described scenario. Again, I'm not going to overclock the 3930K.

I've researched several air-cooling solutions, such as the Noctua NH-D14, but I'm running into clearance issues - some RAM slots are blocked with such large air coolers and the height of the memory sticks interfere, requiring low-profile memory. The low-profile memory that is available is stuff that has not been certified to work with this mobo or have other issues. Also, routine cleaning of these large air handlers would be a nightmare.

So, I think the only solution here is a water cooler and I don't have any experience with water cooling. I looked at the Corsair H50 kit. Would you recommend this or something else?

I don't want to go overboard here - just need something that keeps access to the RAM slots clear, is reliable, won't leak, and will cool sufficiently given my processing load scenario.

Thanks!
 
Greetings

If you have a look here at this Thermalright cooler, click the "features" tab and scroll down to the bottom you will see that they have the cooler together with two fans wedged in between the Socket 2011 memory on either side so you can have the RAM as tall as you like.

As far as cleaning it goes the easiest thing to do is occasionally unplug the box, take the side panel off and take it outside and together with a suitable vacuum cleaner (one where you can take the hose and plug it into its rear end so that it blows instead of sucks) and then just point it at the cooler and that will blow most of the dust out without any problems (and while your at it do the same with the power supply and the rest of the PC as well).

I suggest you check it out especially its cooling ability, since your not overclocking it then it probably would be OK but if you were then you would definitely need a twin tower unit or some water cooling instead.

Cheers
 
The H50 its a oldie thing... Maybe you chan check at the corsair H60 2013 edition... That will do the perfect job for your requirement, and can handle some moderate OC on your chip... Specially if you add another fan for push/pull..
 
Araxie, thank you as well. This H60 has a history and there are lots of user comments about it on Newegg, which usually helps me decide.
 
The high FPI of the radiators compared to large air coolers would probably make it more of a pain to clean dust out of. Radiators are dust magnets, large air coolers, not so much.

Since your system is not overclocked, I would look into the Hyper 212+ EVO. It appears to be thin enough to not interfere with RAM.
 
Tsumi, thanks. I will dig into this one as well.

Wow - you guys are great on this forum and I'm glad I joined it.
 
I used an antec khuler 920 with antec formula 7 on my 3930k @ 4.8ghz.... Should do the trick for you for a long time
 
Thanks for the additional recommendations, phaseshift and Sheppard. After considering all that has been recommended, I've decided that I'm going with the H60.
 
Have a look at the NH U14S?

Almost D14 performance, doesn't block any of the RAM slots on a 2011, a relatively small tower heatsink to boot.
 
I just researched this, brah.

The DH-14 will have a list of what RAM fits on Noctua's website. However, that cooler has been surpassed in performance by the Silver Arrow SB Extreme and the Phantek ph-tc14pe. I went with the Phantek because the extra width of the Silver Arrow was going to block the first PCIE slot on my incoming Rampage IV Extreme.
 
NH-U14S and Archon SB-E X2 are about as good as single towers get and are definitely right up with the twin coolers.
 
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