Good budget CPU heatsink "not 120mm tower"

[dostov]

Looking for a decent CPU heatsink that is not 120mm tower-type because of height constraints, and on a budget! I have around 140mm of height to play with, has to fit FM2 and cool 100w with headroom for OC if possible.

I was looking at Zalman CNPS 5x Performa, but was wondering if anybody had something better to propose?

 

[scoutcamper]

I also am considering this heatsink for my FM1 APU build Interested to see responses on it!

 

[Mr.Scott]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103100

 

[dostov]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103100

Cooler looks good. Price looks less good.

But I had used its predecessor (GeminII S) and it was a decent cooler. I just think I don't need that big of a cooler for an APU rated a 100w. And this is kind of a budget build...

 

[Zuzzz]

You might poke around the classifieds here on the forums. Look for a good top down type of HSF.

Z

 

[Knufire]

This is a bit higher priced, way better performing. You can run it with just a push fan: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-cpu-cooler-phtc14cs

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Cheaper would be the Xigmatek Loki, I've loved mine.

 

[OCMusicJunkie]

Cheaper would be the Xigmatek Loki, I've loved mine.

+1 for this. I opened the thread just to post this suggestion and see you beat me to it already. Awesome cooler for $25.

 

[dostov]

The Xigmatek Loki looks sweet! Beats the CNPS 5x and Coolermaster TX3 hands down. Price is a tad higher though... about $30 is what I find here.

 

[OCMusicJunkie]

That's about $5 higher than Newegg sells it here in the US- still well worth it though. I'd say just the fan would run about $10+ based on quality of construction.

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Its way better than your normal $30 cooler.

Mine was $25, but I kept thinking "this should have been $40" when unboxing and mounting.

 

[Mjolnir]

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Xigmatek-Loki-CPU-Cooler-Review/1403/6

I was going to suggest the tx3 from cooler master but it gets beat by about 5 degree by the Loki. But I've seen it on new egg before for like 15 bucks after a 5 dollar rebate. (currently going for 20 on newegg) could be another option if you can find it cheap.

 

[dostov]

TX3 is cheap, but I can get the Zalman CNPS 5X for even cheaper and it's like 2 degrees better than TX3. The 5X goes for $11 after mail-in rebate right now ($16 before MIR).

I'm gonna see if I can find a better price for the Loki though, because I'm unsure how much OC'ing headroom I'd get on my A8-5600K (100w) with TX3 or CNPS 5X.

 

[ATMINSIDE]

You might try Amazon, if they ship to Colombia. Or eBay.

 

[Mr.Scott]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but, you'll not find ANY decent air cooler for under $30 unless you buy used. That's just the way it is.

 

[dostov]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but, you'll not find ANY decent air cooler for under $30 unless you buy used. That's just the way it is.

If you don't mind me disagreeing... By my standards, the aforementioned Loki looks like a decent cooler. So are Coolermaster's Hyper 212 series, most of which can readily be found under $30. It just depends what you consider "decent" I guess...

 

[Mr.Scott]

If you don't mind me disagreeing... By my standards, the aforementioned Loki looks like a decent cooler. So are Coolermaster's Hyper 212 series, most of which can readily be found under $30. It just depends what you consider "decent" I guess...

Nope, I don't mind at all.
Both coolers mentioned are what I refer to as 'bang for the buck' coolers. I have 4 212+'s that I use on many different platforms from Slot 1 to AM3. It just depends on what you intend to cool with them. I've personally found that the 212+ can't handle much more than 100-120w effectively. If you're looking for more than that, it's gonna double the price at least.