What should be the best cooling option for my situation?

[Anusha]

Hi,

I currently have a 2600K (4.5GHz @ 1.32V) cooled with the Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B cooler. This is inside a Raven RV03. I am very sensitive to noise, so I have the CPU cooler running at around 900RPM. Anything above 1000RPM makes it the loudest fan inside the case. Extremely disappointed with the noise of the CNPS9900MAX-B. (Computer Noise Prevention System, my ass!)

The current case fan setup is like this.
1. Two front intakes (Enermax TB Silent 120mm)
2. Two bottom intakes (Stock 180mm fans)
3. One rear intake (usually turned off, turned on only when gaming. This is the top exhaust fan that originally came with the case.)
4. One top exhaust (another TB Silent 120mm)

I have all these fans, including the CPU fan, controlled by a fan controller.

To make things worse, I have Corsair Vengeance full height RAM installed in all 4 slots of my ASRock Z68 Extreme4 motherboard.

Now, the current setup is fine in terms of noise. At the current RPMs, it is petty quiet (as long as I don't play games). My problem is with temps. With the CPU fan running at only 900RPM, when I encode videos using Handbrake (I've been doing them a lot recently), the temps - measured using Realtemp - reach 75C on the warmest core. Not to mention, the summer is coming in a couple of months!!! That will probably increase the temps by another 5C.

I would like to drop it below 70C. With the CPU fan running in full blast, it does drop to 68C, but that is intolerable - especially because I encode them while I'm sleeping.

So what can I do to improve my temps while keeping everything quiet?

Options:

1) Wish I could get a H110 because it is quiet and performs very well, but it doesn't fit in my case. I wish I could sell my case and get something that the H110 fits to, but it is almost impossible to sell cases here in Japan. Cases do not have a second hand market.

2) Or I could remove the RAM sinks and install Silver Arrow or some air cooler of that calibre.

3) Or I should try to find a cooler that fits my case and my RAM, which can also work well, while doing so quietly.

Note: I would not go for custom cooling, because this case isn't built for that.

 

[yggdrasil]

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=Raven+RV03+h100&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=LY2YUe-3PKfriAea3YCwDw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1097&bih=535
I would try a h100 or go for a NH-D14


Look at Toms review and the NH-D14 in it.
http://youtu.be/xj4kveGtvl4

 

[Cru]

h100 with noctua nf-f12's should be fairly quiet and will fit even with some high ram
if it doesn't fit in your current case maybe get something like the fractal design define r4 - if possible ofc

 

[Anusha]

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=Raven+RV03+h100&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=LY2YUe-3PKfriAea3YCwDw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1097&bih=535
I would try a h100 or go for a NH-D14


Look at Toms review and the NH-D14 in it.
http://youtu.be/xj4kveGtvl4

I cannot find NH-D14 here in Japan.
Besides, that would require removing the RAM sinks, right?
I can anyway stick in a Silver Arrow in there if that is the case. It should perform on par with the NH-D14, right? (maybe tab better)

h100 with noctua nf-f12's should be fairly quiet and will fit even with some high ram
if it doesn't fit in your current case maybe get something like the fractal design define r4 - if possible ofc

I cannot find any Noctua fans in Japan. Weird, but that's the truth.

Changing the case would be my last option. If I could, I would definitely go with the H110.

 

[paulstung]

I had the silver arrow sb-e in a raven rv03, and the little nipples, at the top of the heat pipes used to just touch the inside of the window, and made an awful rattling noise.

 

[Anusha]

I had the silver arrow sb-e in a raven rv03, and the little nipples, at the top of the heat pipes used to just touch the inside of the window, and made an awful rattling noise.

Thx. That's invaluable info.

 

[CSheldon]

Well, would like to know what type of case you actually have then we could work around that, why not just have a look at an Corasir H60i or even a H80i.
Buy two Corsair SP120, (best RAD fans out there). This will blast temperatures down, and no need to buy a new case because it only needs to be mounted on a 120mm slot. So either could whack it in the roof, or rear exhaust.

 

[Anusha]

Well, would like to know what type of case you actually have then we could work around that, why not just have a look at an Corasir H60i or even a H80i.
Buy two Corsair SP120, (best RAD fans out there). This will blast temperatures down, and no need to buy a new case because it only needs to be mounted on a 120mm slot. So either could whack it in the roof, or rear exhaust.

OK, I have the Raven RV03.
Technically, only a 120mm rad would fit, either on the top exhaust or the front drive bays, as intake because if i use it as exhaust, it would ruin the airflow within the case.

now, according to this, even the H100i would fit, but you cannot screw it to the case. you have to use zip ties to mount it to the case.

since the H100i is only $10 more than the H80i, naturally i would want the H100i. further, imo, if you use low RPM fans, the H100i would perform better with the thinner rad. however, the H80i indeed runs push pull.

i don't think i can live with noise of the stock rad fans. i would have to drop RPM down to 1000RPM or more - ideally. i don't think the H80i would do well with those fan speed. but H100i might, but not entirely sure.

no point going for the H60 imo. i am looking for better performance.

now, i can get the Gentle Typhoons for cheaper than SP120. getting AP15's and running them at a lower RPM should do fine? any rattling noises? or should i go for AP14 or even AP13?

with stock fans, they perform within couple of degrees right? the grand question is, how would H80i and H100i perform with AP15?

 

[garih]

well, ttl has a thing about noise, and he swears by sp120 quiet editions, so i would be inclined to take his lead