Need budget cooler for i5 2500k

Hello, my computer specs are in my sig. I don't need anything special and I've been floating on and off the forums since my busy school/work schedule greatly varies. I've wanted to post pics of my build but have not as some forum members on here help me build it about a month ago. I need a budget cooler, nothing too much! Just some regular gaming single 1080p screen. I will be looking to overclock as I invested the money for a K processor. I have not done so yet as I have little time. I was looking along the lines of something like this...

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master...YPH0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326606250&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master...5JXI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1326606250&sr=8-3

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master...0D0Y/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1326606250&sr=8-4

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

These are all basiclally the same, but some parts differ out and the model numbers are not the same, as I specialize in GPU's and cars I don't really look at CPU coolers, hopefully you guys are willing to help me out, I am guessing these don't come with any thermal paste, and if so which should I get? I have heard there's some extreme thermal paste thats liquid metal based? takes 200hours to settle in fully but it is extremely amazing at cooling, not sure of the name.


Side note: anyone know of any GPU mounts? the new ATI series cards seem to be coming with them to prevent the card breaking out of the mobo, the 5970 is a significantly large and heavy card, and I'd totally be willing to invest in one of those, no idea where to get it though.

I'd go with the 212 Evo

I would just go for the 212+ theres not that much difference in those fans. Either the one at amazon or the one from newegg. Amazon is cheaper but I usually order from the egg anyways.

The 212 evo should be better than the 212+. The evo should be a few degrees cooler, updated fan and better fan mount.

They come with thermal paste but there are better ones out there like thermaltake chill factor III.


Another good cpu cooler is Gelid tranquilo.

If you dont plan to overclock higher than 4.6ghz, these coolers should be fine.

212 Evo, enough said.

I'd get a 212+ and some arctic cooling thermal paste.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099 Hyper 212, comes with thermal paste

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186038 MX-4, thermal paste I would use instead of what comes with the H212. It is better than AS5.

definitely get the 212 hyper, i have it and it is amazing, probably better than most £50+ heatsinks, my cpu is normally at 13°c ( when my heating isn't on)

XPurEsDR said:

definitely get the 212 hyper, i have it and it is amazing, probably better than most £50+ heatsinks, my cpu is normally at 13°c ( when my heating isn't on)

Click to expand...

That's 55F. Your room is in the 50s when your heat isn't on and your CPU stays at ambient...? That seems exaggerated.

idle temp just over ambient is not so far fetched. If thats a load temp then something isnt quite right.

ssjwizard said:

idle temp just over ambient is not so far fetched. If thats a load temp then something isnt quite right.

Click to expand...

It should be somewhat close to your ambient, yes. But 13C pretty low.

212 Evo or CAFA50.

'nuff said.

If you go to coolermaster website, it is definitely stated that the new 212 evo is better. As long as the op will not push the overclock beyond 4.4ghz, the evo will be fine otherwise he will need a better cooler like noctua d14 or silver arrow. Im speaking from experience, and have used both the noctua and silver arrow after using 212+ .

Look at my computer pics here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/strobemonkey/sets/72157627926740864/

No, a H212 Evo will get a 2500k past 4.4GHz easily. Kastibong, are you using a 2500k? Pics don't matter, nor do they tell us what CPU or anything you are using. For all we know you're using a 2600k, and therefore, yes, your temps will be a bit higher than the 2500k. An H212 will get you 4.5GHz. Will it get you 5GHz? That depends on your CPU, a 2500k will rarely give you thermal limits based on your cooler. My 2 cents...

I use i5 2500k. As I have said, i used the 212+ before and it sure can pass up to 4.6ghz, but the temp is high around 82 deg celcius on mine and I live in a cold country. It really depends on the voltage you use, on good chips, at 5ghz, they can use the voltage that a not so good chip uses at 4.4ghz. And what is the percentage of a good chip against ordinary ones?

Don't forget a Macho HR-02, and the NZXT Havik 140. Both will allow some room for the o/c.

212+ or evo, I'm running 212+ with 2500k @4.5ghz idle 25-29 load 40-50, IBT max 66

I did add a second fan but I'm not sure how much of a difference it made..

I am using the Cooler Master Hyper 212+ on my Intel® Core™ i7-2600K with the fans in a push/pull set up and I am really happy with it.

Christian Wood
Intel Enthusiast Team

I'd say go for the Thermalright True Spirit if you find it cheap enough...should beat those other coolers you mentioned -except for hr-02 macho perhaps, though it's in a similar league, even being cheaper-

Hyper 212 EVO or +, both perform pretty much the same.