I built my first computer 2 weeks ago and its working fine except my cpu temps are higher than I want. Now I was going by the motherboard software and it was peaking at 70C(video rendering) I come to find out that in Realtemp the temps are 10C higher and peak about 75 in FSX but average about 65-68C and idle 37-40C.I am using the stock heat sink but I want to get an after market. What are your suggestions for after market heat sinks and should I use the compound that comes with it or buy other stuff(if so what should I get)I am using the Intel Core i5 2500K

I built my first computer 2 weeks ago and its working fine except my cpu temps are higher than I want. Now I was going by the motherboard software and it was peaking at 70C(video rendering) I come to find out that in Realtemp the temps are 10C higher and peak about 75 in FSX but average about 65-68C and idle 37-40C.I am using the stock heat sink but I want to get an after market. What are your suggestions for after market heat sinks and should I use the compound that comes with it or buy other stuff(if so what should I get)I am using the Intel Core i5 2500K

Hi Taylor :smile:If money is tight, get the Cooler Master Hyper 212 PlusOtherwise, a Prolimatech Megahalems + two Scythe Gentle Typhoon fans @ 1450RPM (or 1850 if you don't care too much about noise)The Artic Silver 5 is a very popular great quality TIM of choice

Hello there!Depending upon how much you want to spend, there are a variety of options. These range from liquid cooling to simple box fans. However, I'm going to assume you don't want to pay up the wazoo for liquid cooling!One important thing to remember is that the size of your case will also limit your choices for fans and such. Make sure you can allow a bigger fan in your case and nothing will be restricted and your power cables will not be an issue.This is an inexpensive but a very reliable fan for the Intel Socket LGA 1156/1155 (Yours)/775 and AMD Socket AM3/AM2/940/939/754.Coolmaster Hyper TX3 $ 27 UShttp://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=6602Since it is universal, if you upgrade to an i7 someday, you could still utilize the same fan on another new build and save some cash! There are also many other things you can do to cool down your case as well.-Remove unwanted wires (don't cut them) from the air holes on your case.-Clean it frequently from dust build-up.-Install more fans. One on the front and rear should do fine, but make sure that the airflow is in one direction.-Buy a more efficient power supply to further remove heat from the case.-Install a PCI cooler in another slot of your computer... (Like this one for $8.99 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3516736&CatId=804 )-Clear the outside of the case from obstructions to airflow and make sure that it has enough room to breathe.-Buy an expensive liquid cooling system-The list goes on...Hopefully this helps!

Money isn't exactly tight but it would be nice to get the best but cheapest. Willing to spend up to 100 but anything from 20 to 60 is my range. I would rather not get water cooling considering I am not a hard core gamer, just the once in a while flight in FSX.Before I posted this topic I did actually come across the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus and since Dario Iriberri posted that one. I think I might get this one and I think it fits my case and I would get another case fan.I decided to do a little test. I had my 2 case fans at full for 30 minutes and it got down to 32C idling the whole time. Played fsx for 5 minutes and the temps toped at 63 62 63 and 64C and after 5 minutes of cooling its at 35C but this is with the case fans full blast the whole time with the side of the case off

Ok looking at the 212... I am not sure it will fit my case. My case is 8.1 inches wide but considering the motherboard is on standoffs and there is a compartment behind the mother board I don't think these coolers will work... I could be wrong.I guess I might be wrong. Found multiple websites saying the hyper 212 plus fits in an antec 300

Try this one: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/thermalright-archon.html

Try this one: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/thermalright-archon.html

I will. By the way, the last post I just made is wrong. I did research and found multiple websites of people saying the 212 fits in my case

I will. By the way, the last post I just made is wrong. I did research and found multiple websites of people saying the 212 fits in my case

Even a NH-D14 would fit in your Antec 300.Don't worry about that. These chips run very cool, I'm pretty sure you'll be limited by voltage rather than temps with the CM Hyper 212+

What is she large cooler with the Intel logo I see in several reviews of the 2600K? It's much larger than the cooler that ships with the chip but I've never seen it mentioned in the reviews? Is it available from Intel?

Looks like I'm a little late, but just in case, Best Buy currently has the h50 for $60. I also have the Antec 300, you shouldn't have to worry about any of those coolers fitting - it's big enough.

Haven't bought anything yet. Will check it out. Is it way better than the 212 plus?

What type of clock speed are you wanting to run? Basically, it's going to cost more to run higher clock speed.4.6 & below: You will probably be fine with the 212 plus4.6 to 4.8: get the h50 or Prolimatech Megahalems4.8+: get h70 or NH-D14IF you get the h50...don't spend extra money on nice fans thinking your going to drop 5C - I dropped about 1C. Also, the TIM on the h50 is top notch stuff and it comes pre-applied. While it is applied somewhat thick, go ahead and try it out. You may be happy with your temps as is.

Thanks! I have no idea about coolers for CPU. I will look into those. I am thinking 5ghz max. I was thinking 4.5.Maybe I will get the h50 or Prolimatech Megahalems (although I would rather not go water for my first build) so then that allows me to go up higher if I want.

I wouldn't worry about the H50 leaking or anything like that. It's really well engineered to be safe and easy to install. Personally, the weight and size of the other heatsinks is a bigger concern than a potential H50 leak.

Corsair will replace your entire computer if it leaks - and I've personally read of only one confirmed instance of that happening. I've actually modded mine and I can tell you from disassembling it that there's an extremely low chance of it leaking. It's pretty well sealed... erm... was... . Also, I know Corsair is coming out with the h60 soon, so you might want to find more info on that.