Are A.I.O's my only option for o.c. 6600k? [In an mITX/mATX build]

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1

Hey, guys!

I decided to shrink down my future first build from a beautiful Phanteks- "Enthoo-Evolv" mATX case to a Corsair- "Carbide Air 240". I am contemplating going down even further to an "Obsidian series- 250D" mITX case. The Noctua fan I was originally going for in the Phanteks is not going to work with these Corsair cases so I looked at their smaller alternatives. I plan on overclocking an i5 6600k and the small form factor Noctua cpu coolers seem to not be recommended for overclocking according to Noctua. The benchmarks/reviews I've read seem to show it's not a good idea either although they were really pushing a previous gen. i7.

I wasn't interested in spending more than $60-70 on an CPU cooler but are my only options being a 240mm rad. A.I.O. cooler to keep temperatures cool? Honestly, I'm not considering my build as an all out gaming PC but I will be playing the latest titles and do want to over clock my CPU & GPU. Are there any high performance, low-profile air coolers that are less than $100? The max. height for a cooler in the mATX case is 120mm & in the mITX is 95mm.

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their do exist cpu coolers that can work for your situation, however they will be inferior to the larger air coolers, and water cooling would blow it away.

a 240mm rad with some of the nicer noctua fans will be quiet and allow a higher overclock then a small air cooler. if you want to go small form factor AND overclock, go AOI.

if you are ok with not overclocking, you could get a lock i7 6700 + a cheaper h110 or h170 board and a cheap small air cooler. cost wise will be similar but you'll have 4 cores at 4ghz and 8 threads vs 4 cores 4 threads at around 4.5~ with water.

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I was debating going with a locked i5 processor. I haven't owned a desktop in ages but I kind of wanted the "enthusiast/gamer" experience & try overclocking for the first time so I'll likely stick with the "k" & Z170's. A locked i7 with an H170 isn't a bad idea, though.

I was definitely thinking of getting Noctua NF-P12's as an upgrade for a stock h110i V2. Sounds like A.I.O. cooler will have to join my PC Part Picker list. Thanks!