EVGA Superclocked CPU Cooler

[TheKeyboardDemon]

I'm thinking about getting this cooler, I want to use it on an AMD Phenom II X4 965BE and an Asus Crosshair V Formula mobo with Corsair Vengence ram but I can't find a good video review and some of the web reviews I've read are not helping me to decide as the results seem to vary.

I want to overclock my 965BE and have found that when I get it to 3.91ghz I have stability issues using my current cooler (Corsair H50) and the error codes point to thermal issues so I'm looking for something that will do a better job of cooling my CPU. Prime95 Torture tests get my core temps up to 62 degrees and sometimes higher with that overclock so I have had to reduce the oc level for the time being. I also use Corsair Vengence so I don't want to have to change my RAM.

Would this cooler be a good choice for me?

I think the balck cooler and red fan would fit really well with my black and red mobo + GPU colour scheme but I don't want to buy a cooler just for the looks if it doesn't perform.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[airdeano]

welcome to the OC3D forum,
from the reliable reviews i've seen, the RAM issue is a non-issue. the fan spacing is not
even a consideration, but there can be only one fan mounted with no provisions for two.
the mount is reasonable, but a decent motherboard cutout is necessary for access.
the fan provided is LOUD (41.6dBA)!
most think pretty good on it, with the exception of massive high overclock usage. it sorta
won't hold up on high temps. and the AMD although has a lower TCASE, is one hot cookie
to keep chilled for a steep overclock. honestly, your gunna have an issue on the RAM on
all higher ended CPU coolers. Noctua, Phanteks, Thermalright, etc.. these will be your best
performers. the others work, but again may only be able to service the mid-clocks in heat.
EVGA Superclocked CPU Cooler is a cooler i would not buy for a rig for the noise and high temp
performance. you can change the fan for a better quieter fan, but that drives the cost
into better coolers to make sacifices for.

airdeano

 

[TheKeyboardDemon]

Thanks for the welcome airdeano, I have been a member for about a year or so, just never posted on here yet as the YouTube channel videos usually give me the answers I need.

Another option I was thinking about was the Prolimatech Black Megahalem or maybe the Super Mega and then using them in a Push/Pull configuration with Silverstone AP121 fans. Do you think that would offer better cooling than the EVGA Superclocked CPU Coooler?

Also reviews tend to be carried out on Intel 1366 CPUs like the i7 920, when looking at these how would the results compare to a AMD CPU like mine?

 

[Terrifictez85]

I recommend the NZXT Havik 140mm is a great cooler and i had no ram issues.
Kept my 1090t cool at 4.1ghz max temp i saw was 53.c

 

[jamesriley94]

I take it you arent interested in the Noctuas because of aesthetics?

You are far far better buying a good cooler with the fans on it. £50 for the heatsink then £15 each for the fans and you're already far far more expensive than any other air cooler out there.

As mentioned, go for the Havik or D14 - and if Aethetics bother you, get the Phanteks. Mix and match coolers is never going to be good value, and think of it this way.

You'd be paying £52 for the Super Mega. Plus £30 for the fans. You can get the noctua for £56 if you look around. The fans on the noctua are £18 and £20, meaning the total fan cost is £38...
Take that from the £56 of the overall cost, and that's £18. Take another £8 off for the included NT-H1 TIM, and you're left with £10...
So your option comes down to £52 for the heatsink alone for the Super Mega - Or £10 for the better performing heatsink of the NH-D14...

Don't see why you havent already bought the Noctua

 

[TheKeyboardDemon]

@jamesriley94: It is aesthetics that puts me off the Noctua fans. It's not just the colour of the Noctua coolers/fans that I don't like it's also the size. I'm really looking for something that doesn't dominate the inside of my case.

I should add the I am using a Silverstone Raven 03 case and allows up to 163mm height for cooler, I already have the AP121 fans on my H50 (push/pull) so it's not really an issue to use the fans I have already. I've just looked at the Havik it seems to be a good choice, I'll look into some reviews for this as soon as I can.

I forgot about the Phanteks these would be ideal but at 171mm they are too big, which is a shame.

Originally I was thinking about upgrading to the Antec Kuhler H2O 920 setup and using my AP121's with that but I've read about issues with pump noises. I have installed the H50 at the front of my case after removing the drive bays to make space for it so it pulls air in from the front and this get exhausted into the case then out the top of the case.

 

[jamesriley94]

There's a lot of space - is there no way you can mod an H100 into the rear?

 

[TheKeyboardDemon]

There's a lot of space - is there no way you can mod an H100 into the rear?

That would mean passing the tubing over the top of my GPU to get to the rear, I did think about clearing out all of the drive bays at the front and mounting an H100 there but then I'd have no optical drive.

I just watched the TTL video of the NZXT Havik vs Noctua cooler and it the results were really impressive. I think this might be the answer to my issues, I'll look into a few others and probably order over the coming week.

More suggestions are welcome if anyone can think of something that hasn't come up yet.

 

[TheKeyboardDemon]

I recommend the NZXT Havik 140mm is a great cooler and i had no ram issues.
Kept my 1090t cool at 4.1ghz max temp i saw was 53.c

Ok. Having looked at the video again and looking at the results that you have been getting I thought why not just go for it and ordered it just now.

Thanks everyone for your help and advice, you've been great and it is much appreciated.