Low Profile CPU Coolers

[ant_mcbane]

I'm trying to do a DIY HTPC with a max CPU cooler height of 50mm before I transition to dondan's A4. I'm trying to assess my options and can see an Chieftec/Cooltek LP53 with a slim fan, the Noctua L-9i and the silverstone cooler would work. There is also the Evercool HPL-815 but it seems long discontinued.

Is there a clear-cut best cooler right now? The LP53 looks the best but I can't seem to find them anywhere to buy for less than about $90 which seems strange.

 

[iFreilicht]

Have you measured the maximum height from the PCB of the board or from the CPU heatspreader? The top of the heatspreader is 7.781 (+-0.335)mm above the top of the PCB, and the height of CPU coolers is measured from the top of the heatspreader.

Or is this information provided by the case manufacturer?

I personally have made good experiences with the NH-L9i, and you may want to consider the option of replacing its fan with a full sized 95x25mm one, which would push its height up to 48mm, so It would perform better while still fitting your size constraints.

 

[esplin2966]

You can still find the Evercool HPL-815 new on ebay. I really want to buy it and try it, so let me know how it works if you end up getting it:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EverCool-EC...737?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41916630d9

You can also buy the Thermolab/Cooltek LP53 on ebay for $55:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thermolab-L...468?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4170d1ee54

I personally have had good luck with the Jonsbo low-profile cooler, but you can't really buy it in the US (not even on ebay). In any case, here is a link:

http://www.jonsbo.com/en/products_28_1.html

I suspect the LP53 currently performs best because it has a 92mm x 25mm fan on it. Like iFreilicht, I would recommend getting the Noctua or the Silverstone and get a great 92mm x 25mm case fan on it. For the fan, I recommend this one:

http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=520&area=en

or this one:

http://www.coolermaster.com/cooling/case-fan/blade-master-92/

They both produce high air pressure, which is what you want in an airflow-constricted case. The cooler master is louder and higher pressure while the silverstone is quieter and lower pressure.

 

[CyberShot]

http://www.bequiet.com/en/cpucooler/570

 

[esplin2966]

http://www.bequiet.com/en/cpucooler/570

Am I missing something, or is that cooler greater than 50mm in height? The heatsink itself is 50.4mm already, so you can't even substitute a thinner fan.

 

[Hanakuso]

I want to try the Cooltek LP53 but it seems the height is too much

 

[CyberShot]

Am I missing something, or is that cooler greater than 50mm in height? The heatsink itself is 50.4mm already, so you can't even substitute a thinner fan.

Sorry didn't noticed that 50mm.

 

[ant_mcbane]

Are there any benchmarks showing the improved cooling performance of a 25mm fan on the Lh-9i?

I live in Australia and somehow after shipping etc the Noctua is actually just about the cheapest of the lot for me to get my hands on.. ($55 AUD)

 

[88records]

If you're looking for a really low profile cpu cooler you can check out the zalman cnps2x, I'm pretty sure its the smallest cpu cooler you'll be able to find and performs relatively well apparently. It was also used in Valves prototype steam machines.

 

[goodbyegalaxy]

Are there any benchmarks showing the improved cooling performance of a 25mm fan on the Lh-9i?

Last time I checked there were none. In SPCR's NH-L9i review they used a different (non-Noctua) 25mm fan and didn't see any improvement. But I haven't seen anyone benchmark the NF-A9 PWM vs the NF-A9x14 PWM. I think dondan said he would try it when he got his prototypes.

The NF-A9 PWM has better static pressure and airflow than the NF-A9x14 PWM, though it is also louder. However with the Low Noise Adapter, the NF-A9 PWM is quieter, still has better airflow, but has slightly lower static pressure than the x14 without the LNA.

I would also guess that in a case like the A4, using up almost the full 50mm of clearance so the fan is right against the vents might have ducting effect, pulling in more air from outside of the case instead of recycling warm air from within the case. That would have to be tested to be sure though.