My CPU has been overheating a lot lately. I’m usually pretty good at keeping the heatsink free of dust, but it just starts happening again a lot faster than it should. All I can figure is that the fan on my heatsink is going out, or maybe the one that came with my CPU just isn’t that great to begin with.
So, does anyone have any recommendations for a CPU cooler? I know it’s easy to read reviews on high-rated products, but I prefer the more human responses a thread can inspire. I’ll basically be sold on any stories like “since getting this cooler, my processor hasn’t overheated once”.
But God knows I can’t afford a liquid cooling system right now, nor would I trust myself to install it without getting my entire computer wet somehow. So just air coolers.
Put sunglasses on it, it’s a, like, 20% cool boost.
In all seriousness tho, I’ve found liquid cooling to be the best option all around, my friends speak highly of it. I’d find someone to help you install it/pay someone to if you’re uncomfortable.
After replacing the stock cooler with a Noctua on my first ever build it cut my temps generally 20 to 25 degrees. The NH-D14 to be specific. Its a cumbersome (as in large) cooler but I’ve never seen the temperature rise beyond 60 degrees under load since I installed it. I think they have more compact cooler models but I’ve never personally used them. The cooler master hyper 212 evo would be my second choice as noctua are a bit pricey. The D14 barely fits my case so be sure about your dimensions before doing anything.
I’m squeamish about liquid options as well but I think its at the point where you need to be either extremely clumsy or just unlucky for anything to go wrong. Like CyankeeMassey said you can always get someone to help or pay someone to slap it on. You’ll be getting way better cooling than most air options.
Maybe the thermal paste / pad has degraded somehow?
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What CPU do you have ? I am assuming it has the stock cooler ?
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If CPU supports it, will you overclock it ?
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What temps are you getting now that you’re considering bad ?
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How much do you want to spend on it ?
I’ve reapplied the thermal paste fairly recently, while investigating other reasons for the overheating. I’m pretty confident there’s a good amount on there too, I was extra careful to not add too much or too little.
1: AMD FX 6300 (I know it’s a bit underpowered but I’m definitely not rich enough to buy both a new CPU AND a new motherboard to fit it. Not to mention the hassle with reactivating Windows…)
2: I’m pretty sure it supports it, but I’m not overclocking. It’s overheating constantly without it, I’d rather not risk more damage than I already am.
3: It’s idling around 40c and automatically shuts down my computer at around 70c. Which it reaches fairly quickly in recent games (Black Mesa included).
4: I’d rather not spend more than $30-$40 if I can avoid it. I can only afford so much on minimum wage, y’know?
Thank you! I’ll be sure to research those options. But like I said, I can’t afford a proper liquid cooling system on its own, I’d never be able to pay someone else to install it. Plus I prefer to keep my computer as user-serviceable as possible.
I was looking at that one myself last night. I just wanted some direct opinions before making an uneducated purchase!
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But CPU, nothing could possibly make you cooler than you already are… ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler with 120 mm PWM Fan[/size]
or similar is what you want. It’s price performance ratio cannot be beat.
If it will fit in your case.
I have a BeQuiet! Dark Rock Pro 2
Hyper 212 EVO would be the best one for that cash, i would suggest the same, good cooler.
I don’t think you’ll have problems fitting it in most mid-tower cases.
I am sure you could do a bit of overclocking with it also on that CPU but don’t expect anything crazy.
Is 70C the core temperature or socket temperature ? If its core temperature its kinda bad, 62C is max core temp on that CPU, going a lot & often over that may permanently damage the CPU.
I have a Thermalright True Spirit 140 with 2 fans but it’s like 50$ + 10$ for additional fan so out of budget by a little bit, it’s also very big though so it may have problems fitting in a lot of cases + may block the first PCI-E slot on some motherboards, has shit mounting mechanism for fans, i’ve used zip ties, much nicer.
You mentioned your application of thermal paste.
Use very little of a quality paste like Artic Silver or Cooler Masters, about a pea sized drop should be more than enough.
Make sure all surfaces are clean, including applicator etc…
Now is also a good time to check the case fans and blow out the dust bunnies and the video card fan/s.
Be careful if your using high pressure air, because you can easily spin the fan bearings into oblivion.[/size]
Verify the power supply fan is working and that the case has good ventilation, add another intake fan if needed.
Make sure the CPU voltage is not overclocked or just reset your Bios to default values if your not sure.[/size]
It’s the core temperature. It doesn’t always get like this, but sometimes it goes through a week-long bout of being really warm for seemingly no reason.
And man, I have a fairly big case, but I don’t think it could fit that without some modifications. I’ll probably go with the EVO. Thanks!
I’m fairly confident in my application of thermal paste. I’m getting a new cooler regardless, so I’ll have to apply new paste anyway.
I actually shifted my computer into a new case recently, so there’s no buildup of dust anywhere except the processor headsink, where I need a can of air to blow it out.
I’m pretty sure the PSU is fine too, I haven’t had any problems with it before.
As well, I’ve never toyed around with overclocking (except on my GPU once, but I chickened out halfway through and reverted everything.).
I did use IC Diamond as Thermal Paste
Don’t go for premium / overpriced thermal pastes, they make a very little difference temps wise compared to quality decently priced ones (Arctic Silver Ceramique 2 as an example), not worth their premium prices, i wouldn’t recommend buying anything over 5-6$ for 1.5 - 2 grams.
https://www.hardwaresecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/tcr12-g1.gif
A thing to keep in mind is the hyper 212 evo will come with some decent thermal paste, no need to buy any if you’ll get that cooler.
Oh man, I can’t wait to slather some mayo on my processor! I would have loved to have been on whatever team tested all of those materials.
Update: I bought some compressed air today and gave my heatsink a thorough blowing. Right now it’s idling at 20c, so I should be good for a while. I still plan on getting a new cooler though.
Out of curiosity, how loud is the Hyper 212 Evo?
Here’s a video if you would like to actually hear the difference between a stock AMD cooler and the EVO.
Hardware Secrets also has a chart of a number of fans, including the EVO, with their own test results that gives dBA and temperature results.
Not comparable with stock coolers, much quieter.
CPU’s video should give you a good idea.
Well, I have to say I’m sold at that! I’ll give a couple days to see how well my processor runs as it is, just for the sake of benchmarking, but I’ll definitely get the EVO. It should hopefully fit in my case.
Thanks, everyone! This is exactly what I was looking for.
If you tell us what case you have we’ll be able to find out.