What is the QUIETEST cooler for the i7 980X Extreme?

EarthBrain · Post by **EarthBrain** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 8:29 am

I just installed the default heatsink that comes with the i7 980X Extreme and put the fan switch to the "quiet" mode but it is still too lound for me.

What is the best and QUIETEST heatsink/cooler for the i7 980X Extreme?

Thanks.

bskd · Post by **bskd** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 10:04 am

Wait for the Thermalright HR-02 to come out.

Mats · Post by **Mats** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 2:07 pm

Your stock fan can be quiet if you lower the fan to 4.5 V, http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1050-page7.html

The HR-02 will be expensive.
If you can't wait, check out this,
http://www.silentpcreview.com/Recommended_Heatsinks
and then look at the actual difference in temps when using the same fan (scroll down),
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1039-page9.html

As you can see, the $70 - 90 coolers offers a minimum advantage over the $35 coolers, there's no point in going premium here.
Get a Scythe Mugen 2.

phoenixrage · Post by **phoenixrage** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 6:35 am

if I spent $1000 on a CPU, I don't think spending $60-70 on a cooler is going to really an issue.

I'd wait for the HR-02. I have a megahalems on my 930.. with 2 S-Flex F's (on a fan controller) and its quiet enough for me.

EarthBrain · Post by **EarthBrain** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 9:09 am

I just bought the Noctua NH-D14 CPU Cooler since the reviews say it is pretty quiet.

I would like to get the HR-02 but I could not wait.

Yeah, if I could afford the $1,000 CPU, a good $80-$90 would still be affordable.

Oh, by the way, when would the HR-02 come out?

NeoGeo · Post by **NeoGeo** » Tue Aug 03, 2010 9:32 pm

I'd say the cooling system (tank) that Hardcore Computer uses (oil submerged rig) is the coolest running system for the 980x on the market, but even that is not totally quiet. Their system uses four, quiet, 120mm fans to blow heat off the radiator and out their case. Buy it varies its fan speed automatically according to coolant temperature and workload and they use dampening materials within the case. If I was going with an 980x and cost was no object, for the quietest and coolest running Intel six core, I think their setup is probably the best ya?

Btw, I don't think they sell the case individually to enthusiasts yet, but you never know, always worth asking if that's your cup of tea.

djkest · Post by **djkest** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 9:44 am

Wouldn't the Xigmatek $35 tower heatsink work just fine? It's performance is excellent, although you might want to use a Scythe slipstream or Nexus fan instead of the included one.

cordis · Post by **cordis** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 10:38 am

I have scythe mugen 2 on mine, it seems to work fine and it's really pretty quiet. If you want to go higher end, a prolimatech megahalems would probably be a good way to go, but any of the SPCR recommended heat sinks should be good.

supersize · Post by **supersize** » Thu Sep 09, 2010 12:55 pm

mugen quieter than noctua?

Post by **MikeC** » Thu Sep 09, 2010 4:13 pm

supersize wrote:mugen quieter than noctua?

Generally, the Scythe fans sound nicer than the Noctuas.

~El~Jefe~ · Post by **~El~Jefe~** » Thu Sep 09, 2010 8:20 pm

Apparently from my experience with Scythe, any very large Scythe HSF would be adequate to keep it cold.

that company just rocks.