So as I type this I am planning my next big upgrade (CPU). Right now I am running an AMD 6300 with the stock cooler and it has served me well for the past 3 years or so. However, I think it's time to upgrade to the AMD 8350. And with that, some better cooling. The problem I run into is I cannot use an air cooler (As far as I know). The reason is because I have 4x4gb sticks of Corsair Vengeance. Sadly, not the low profile kind, so I'm kind of stuck with it. I have been eyeing the LEPA Aquachanger 240 and it looks like my cup of tea. But I noticed in an already built rig that the pipes kind of sneak into the first RAM slot. My newest upgrade is I am picking up the Phanteks Enthoo Luxe along with a Corsair RM750 so that is what I will be installing this cooler in. My motherboard is an ASUS Sabertooth R2.0 and I was wondering if anyone here could help when it comes to finding a good cooler. Hell, if there is an air cooler that won't mess with my memory then great! When it comes to price, I kind of want to try and stay under 100 bucks, but a wee bit over is okay. Thanks for reading my short novel. Also, thank you for any future help!
There's a number of air coolers with slots cut out for RAM, also I'd get the 8320 as it's current a good deal cheaper
Coolermasters stuff is usually cheap though the prices went up I think
NZXT Kraken X31, $68
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-cpu-cooler-rlkrx3101
Now when it comes to radiator size, how much of a difference does 120 to 240mm rads make? Is the performance in 240mm rads great enough to spring on one of those, or are 120 rads just fine?
A 120 Radiator is on par with around a Hyper 212, the 240mm radiators are on par with the high end air coolers like the noctua stuff and the Le Grand Macho, the Macho has slots cut for higher RAM
http://www.thermalright.com/html/products/cpu_cooler/le_grand_macho.html?panel=1
Deep cool has a 240 radiator for $79.99
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/deepcool-cpu-cooler-captain240
Coolermaster used to be the way to go, but that lawsuit really screwed them up
@MrNurbtastic
My 120mm rad can barely dissipate 170 watt of my overclocked i5.
You should get a 240mm radiator and there is plenty available for >100$
(Edit - turns out im wrong about this)
@Streetguru
Aren't AMD sockets oriented different? I only built one AM3+ build with a MSI board and the CPU cooler was only mountable "up" or "down" so the space left for RAM wont be usefull.
I don't think so, that depends more on the motherboard I think. and most heatsinks can be changed to run either up or down.
You are right, I had this issue with an EKL Alpenfön Brocken which can only be turned 180° .
I falsely assumed that it is a AM3 issue but its just the retention mechanism in this particular cooler.
I know shits already been answered but 120 mm aios are not worth it. Id say if your going to go get an AIO I would at least go 240.. if you can find a 360 Awesome... That and id also invest in better fans. The EK vardar fans are a good price considering what they actually basically are. F3 for silence... F4 for balance.. F5 for performance but of course it can be adjusted because of PWM. Most fans coupled with AIOs are semi decent or good fans. but you can always get better performance.
Since you have 8350 Id suggest a 240 mm rad for decent performance. If you want to shill out a little more. you can always go get a small AIO liquid cooling kit from some of the bigger manufacturer. Check performance PCs. It all depends what you really want