Intel Core i7, 2700K Unlocked Quad Core

[Kenadian]

I just purchased an i7 2700K Unlocked Quad Core for my new build from NCIX.ca:

http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=64993&vpn=BX80623I72700K&manufacture=Intel&promoid=1230

I couldn't pass it up as it was close to $70 off.

Question is, what cooler would you recommend for this CPU?

I want to stick with a budget air cooling solution but something that can allow me enough cooling to overclock to between 4.0 GHz and 4.2 GHz.

The cooler also has be be quiet.

 

[mondo]

My 2600K @ 4.7Ghz has one of these:http://www.scan.co.uk/products/be-quiet!-dark-rock-advanced-bk014-cpu-cooler-lga775-1155-1156-1366-2011-am2-am2plus-am3-754-940

Fairly cheap and cheerful cooler by all standards. Its in an Antex 1200 case though so has massive amounts of air being pushed past it. It barely even gets warm. The GTX580 on the other hand...

 

[JohnnyK]

I have a Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo on my 2600k; running at 4.2 atm, could not be bothered to find a stable overclock at 4.5 or higher so far.

Just as a note though, I had to reapply thermal paste as my temps were too high initially; now they are at around 30°C idle and top out at 60°C under full load with Prime95.

 

[mondo]

FYI JK, these are my overclock settings:

Advanced Frequency Settings:

CPU Clock Control - 47x
(CPU Frequency - 4.70GHz (100x47))
BCLK/DMI/PEG Clock Control - Enabled
(BCLK/DMI/PEG Frequency (0.1MHz) - 1000 100MHz)
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P) - Disabled
System Memory Multiplyer - 16.00
(Memory Frequency (MHz) - 1600)

Advanced CPU Core Features:

CPU Clock Ratio - 47x
(CPU Frequency - 4.70GHz (100x47))
PWM Freqency Control - Auto
CPU Over-Current Protection - Auto
Internal CPU PLL Overvoltage - Enabled
Real-Time Ratio Changes in OS - Disabled
Internal Turbo Boost Tech - Disabled
Turbo Ratio (1-Core) - Auto
Turbo Ratio (2-Core) - Auto
Turbo Ratio (3-Core) - Auto
Turbo Ratio (4-Core) - Auto
Turbo Power Limit (Watts) - Auto
Core Current Limit (Amps) - Auto
CPU Core Enabled - ALL
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) - Disabled
C3/C6 State Support - Disabled
CPU Thermal Monitor - Disabled
CPU EIST Function - Disabled
Bi-Directional PROCHOT - Disabled

Advanced Memory Settings -> Channel A Timing Settings:

CAS Latency - 9
tRCD - 9
tRP - 9
tRAS - 24
Command Rate (CMD) - 2

Channel B Timing Settings:

CAS Latency - 9
tRCD - 9
tRP - 9
tRAS - 24
Command Rate (CMD) - 2

Advanced Voltage Settings:

Load-Line Calibration - Level 7
CPU VCore - 1.425v
QPI/VTT Voltage - 1.360v
System Agent Voltage - Auto
PCH Core - Auto
CPU PLL - 1.910v
DRAM Voltage - 1.500v
DRAM VRef. - Auto
DRAM Termination - Auto
CH-A Data VRef. - Auto
CH-B Data VRef. - Auto
CH-A Address VRef. - Auto
CH-B Address VRef. - Auto

Miscellaneous Settings:

Isochronous Support - Enabled
Virtualization Technology - Disabled​

 

[JohnnyK]

What temps do you get at full load?
That VCore seems pretty high - I'm running offset (no fixed VCore) and it's usually between 1.23 and 1.25 under load. I'm kind of worried my temps will be too high if I increase the VCore too much.

 

[Kenadian]

I have a Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo on my 2600k; running at 4.2 atm, could not be bothered to find a stable overclock at 4.5 or higher so far.

Just as a note though, I had to reapply thermal paste as my temps were too high initially; now they are at around 30°C idle and top out at 60°C under full load with Prime95.

My 2600K @ 4.7Ghz has one of these:http://www.scan.co.uk/products/be-quiet!-dark-rock-advanced-bk014-cpu-cooler-lga775-1155-1156-1366-2011-am2-am2plus-am3-754-940

Fairly cheap and cheerful cooler by all standards. Its in an Antex 1200 case though so has massive amounts of air being pushed past it. It barely even gets warm. The GTX580 on the other hand...

So basically, all I need is something with 6 or more heat pipes and a flat copper plate and I should be good to go I guess?

I'll make sure to pick up the $12 thermal paste and apply it as directed. The cooler I have on my current rig has the heat pipes as part of the base that sits on top of the CPU so you really have to be careful to make sure there's paste in the tiny little gaps between heat pipe and base.

 

[JohnnyK]

That's the same as the Evo then - there's no base plate.

 

[mondo]

I think I got to 52c with those settings.

 

[JohnnyK]

Wow, that's pretty good; I'm in the low 40s in BF3 but as I said at around 60 when stress-testing. I am really not sure if I should take off the cooler once more and apply more paste, but I do think my temps are on the higher side.

I might just wait and get a watercooler at some point...

 

[mondo]

I think its the case that keeps it cool like that. 60c is good though, you can push them into the 80's with any negative effect.

 

[Kenadian]

I think its the case that keeps it cool like that. 60c is good though, you can push them into the 80's with any negative effect.

What about wear and tear on the CPU and/or Mobo? Would frequent 80's cut there lifetime considerably?

 

[mondo]

60c is probably fine but 80c? I had a GTX280 that sat at 80 most of its life and is still going.

 

[JohnnyK]

Constant/frequent 80° on an i7 are too much IMHO; Tcase is 72,5° according to the specs, so any temps above that are rather problematic if you are constantly up there.

 

[Kitlope]

I have 2 Zalman CNPS10X Performa coolers, one in each desktop. Read some great reviews and the cooler is considered one of the best "bang for your buck" out there. These things are awesome and was only about 40 bones. I just checked memory express and their on sale for half price. What a deal!

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX27776

I got an idea d00kie, send me your old/broken video card that we discussed a couple months ago and I'll pick this up and send it to you if you want

 

[Kitlope]

Gah nevermind they out of stock. Of course.

 

[Kenadian]

lol, Indian Giver

 

[Kitlope]

haha that's not politically correct!

 

[Kenadian]

It's not my phrase and since I'm not a Politician, I thought it quite apropos in this case