Best Cooling solution for i7-3960X

[ipaine]

Ok, hopefully people can get me some thoughts quickly as this is a somewhat rushed system, have to get what we want in for a proper quote this afternoon.

Anyways I am looking at a system with the Asus Sabertooth X79 board and most likely a 3960X for the chip. There is still a chance that the chip could go down to the 3930K though. Also there will be a full set of 8 sticks of RAM in there so be aware that we have to consider clearance.

Anyways this machine is going to be doing some very serious number crunching and will be running utilizing all cores very heavily for days at a time. So because of that I need a good cooling soluition, what do you guys think I should go with?

It will be housed in a Corsair 400R case so airflow is not an issue. I am trying to decide on what to use, I have thought about something like the Corsair H100 or maybe the Intel Liquid cooler? Or what about straight air? Any options? Maybe something like the Noctua NH-D14?

Any ideas and options welcome, and thanks for quick responses.

Oh and as for noise level, quieter is better, but not a huge deal.

[SugarJ]

H100.

[ipaine]

I do like the H100, as that is what I have at home and it does my 2600 at 4.8 well.

Anyone else got any opinions?

[Adzsask]

H100 out of your choices, or grab a kit even better, loving my RX360 XSPC RASA kit, and those new EK kits look awesome and have a much better pump then the h100 pump/XSPC res/pump. If you want air, you could check for compatibility with the new king, Phanteks PH-TC14PE.

[stoanee]

Noctua works well but the 3930 is a hot running chip. Expect 70-75C when overclocked & crunching. My 3820 @ 4.6/1.34v runs 68-72C when folding With the Noctua.

[G777]

I'm using an H100 to cool a 3960X that folds 24/7, works well and the corsair mounting for x79 is easy

[ipaine]

Looks like I will recommend the H100. I know it works good for me, and this machine is not going to me so a custom loop (really anything not self contained) is just not an option. Plus that H100 should mount on the top of that 400R case without any issues.

Thanks much for the help.

[Inik]

Originally Posted by stoanee

Noctua works well but the 3930 is a hot running chip. Expect 70-75C when overclocked & crunching. My 3820 @ 4.6/1.34v runs 68-72C when folding With the Noctua.

My 3930K @ 4.6/1.34 is at 61C with the H100 (2 GT only)

[croy_00]

Originally Posted by stoanee

Noctua works well but the 3930 is a hot running chip. Expect 70-75C when overclocked & crunching. My 3820 @ 4.6/1.34v runs 68-72C when folding With the Noctua.

Do I have a magic chip? I have my 3820 @ 4.6 and the Vcore is only at 1.266. I haven't seen anyone else with Vcore this low. Real Temp confirms I am sitting at 1.266V under 100% load.

Anyhoo, the H100 keeps my CPU under 57C on the hottest core, prime95in' the crap outta her. I am running 2 x Gelids and she is dead silent.

[BigPhatPaulie]

Bit of a thread necro but yes it sounds like you have a better binned chip or one of the "lucky ones"