Overclocking i5-3570k - which cooler?

[jamsin]

Hi All,

I want to order the O/C i5-3570k, but not sure which fan to get.

Most important thing is it's quiet, as it will be in the living room - please recommend.

Also, by ordering the Spire Gemini (dual fan copper cooler), over a water cooler, will this result in a lower stable speed, and so reduce the effect of over clocking it?

Note, I want to get the FRACTAL DEFINE R3 - BLACK PEARL CASE as it is aims to reduce the sound - it won't fit the largest Coolit Eco II C240.

Thanks,
James.

 

[tom_gr7]

I'd personally go for the spire air cooler, only because I'm not a fan of having liquid in my pc.

 

[jamsin]

Do you think that will be able to handle the overclocking? It won't limit it? And how loud might those fans get? Sorry - I have no idea on overclocking!!!

 

[keynes]

Do you think that will be able to handle the overclocking? It won't limit it? And how loud might those fans get? Sorry - I have no idea on overclocking!!!

How much do you want to overclock your cpu?

 

[tom_gr7]

I wouldnt think it would limit the overclock myself. All air coolers get a tad noisy, so that's something that's going to happen anyway.

 

[jamsin]

How much do you want to overclock your cpu?

PCSpecialist site says "3.40Ghz @ max 4.6Ghz"...I'd be happy with that. Or is that a "you could get up to this if the system and cooling is good enough - but you may also get 3.5"...

Not sure how much higher it can go above 4.6, but wasn't planning on tweaking myself - happy to let the experts do that!

 

[jamsin]

I wouldnt think it would limit the overclock myself. All air coolers get a tad noisy, so that's something that's going to happen anyway.

I suppose the noisy bit only happen under load - i.e. playing games for a while / editing lots of photos - I assume just general use / browsing internet etc. would still be quiet...the thing isn't going to be load from the second I turn it on....?

 

[keynes]

PCSpecialist site says "3.40Ghz @ max 4.6Ghz"...I'd be happy with that. Or is that a "you could get up to this if the system and cooling is good enough - but you may also get 3.5"...

Not sure how much higher it can go above 4.6, but wasn't planning on tweaking myself - happy to let the experts do that!

If it is a pre-overclocked system then any cooler provided by PCS will do the job otherwise they wouldn't offer them. The cpu will fluctuate reaching a maximum of 4.6 Ghz, not sure what the difference in temperatures and noise there is between air and liquid coolers but I'd expect the fatboy or dual radiator coolit to keep the cpu cooler than the Spire or Titan.

 

[Teaz]

If there isnt any mad overclocking going on then the spire gem cooler should be fine. The fan will roar up but not to a point to where it gets really loud. Do bare in mind that every fan in the case will be spinning including the cooler so it will be noticeable but not loud like some jet engine.

 

[jamsin]

Thanks guys!

I note (with the exception of tom_gr7) you both have watercooling - do you O/C your systems by more than PCS might do?

tom_gr7 - do you O/C yours?

In terms of overclocking and overall system performance - any point in buying the ASUS® P8Z77-V over the ASUS® P8Z77-V LX?

Thanks again guys,
James.

 

[keynes]

Mine is at 4.4 Ghz, I have managed to reach 5.0 Ghz (thank you Buzz ) without any issues but no real use for me to OC that much. I do not get any boost in performance when gaming only high temps on the cpu. I think both motherboards should offer the same performance when overclocking.

 

[Teaz]

I keep mine at stock, most of the times. At times i put it between 4-4.4ghz for processing. I don't any realistic gain from higher clocks in gaming or anything else.

Both motherboards are the same apart that the upgraded motherboard will offer extra features and slots.

 

[tom_gr7]

Thanks guys!

I note (with the exception of tom_gr7) you both have watercooling - do you O/C your systems by more than PCS might do?

tom_gr7 - do you O/C yours?

When I first purchased my rig, I did have a Coolit Eco I. But due to reading many reviews of the first generation models leaking/bursting, i switched to a mid range air cooler. Then a few months ago switched to a high end air cooler. But due to not buying a K version cpu, I have not overclocked.

 

[jamsin]

Thanks guys. Given I'm unlikely to adjust the O/C settings once I receive it - is there any issues of me leaving the CPU O/C'd at 4.6? Is that going to substantially reduce the lifetime with the air cooler? Should I just opt for the non-O/C version? I do do photo editing in photoshop, but only maybe once or twice a week, so not a main use of the machine. Would be happy with stock performance if it is going to be an issue....

 

[keynes]

You could have 2 profiles in the BIOS with and without the OC, I would expect an OC system done by PCS to last you long enough until your next upgrade. If it is occasional editing you may want to consider a non-OC system.

 

[Zenith]

I was considering a PCS OC i5-3570k, but for gaming and nothing else, is it actually worth the higher temps?

 

[keynes]

I was considering a PCS OC i5-3570k, but for gaming and nothing else, is it actually worth the higher temps?

If it is just for gaming I will just leave it at stock clock speed unless you are running more CPU intensive applications.

 

[Zenith]

If it is just for gaming I will just leave it at stock clock speed unless you are running more CPU intensive applications.

Does it give any noticeable performance boost FPS wise? PlanetSide 2 is a real system hog, and I was wondering if an OC might help.

 

[terhil]

I've just ordered a OC'd system from PCS which I've chosen the COOLIT ECO II FAT BOY. Made this choice on the basis that my old system uses a similar all in one water cooling solution, I find there quieter than the air coolers.

Due to the nature of the new Intel CPU's, they won't run at the max 4.6Ghz that there OC'd too. They will run has fast has there needed too, the only time you will see the CPU reach max speed is when the system is under heavy load from intensive applications