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Recommend Low Profile, CPU Fan Heat Sink

post #1 of 61
11/13/12 at 6:51am
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I assembled my HTPC this weekend. It is very fast and boots to windows 8 in just over 5 seconds. However when I assembled the PC I noticed that the stock CPU fan/heat sink that came witht Intel Core i5-3570K is like 1mm directly below my power supply. It is almost resting on it. I have also noticed that the CPU runs at about 45-50C, which I feel is hot. I was wondering if something can recommend a good low-profile CPU fan heat sink so I can give my fan some breathing room from the power supply.
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post #2 of 61
11/13/12 at 7:25am
Not sure of the height of the stock heatsink, plus they have a couple different kinds...though its a K so probably a "full size".

One doc I have lists ~81mm for LGA115x stock design, but that seems a bit tall, could be the 'keep out' size instead.

There are a couple nice LP coolers, though many are not technically rated for a 77W TDP. If you are not overclocking and the case has decent airflow they can do fine.

Measure the clearance you're working with first, can't really recommend anything without that.
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post #3 of 61
11/13/12 at 7:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by stepmback View Post

I assembled my HTPC this weekend. It is very fast and boots to windows 8 in just over 5 seconds. However when I assembled the PC I noticed that the stock CPU fan/heat sink that came witht Intel Core i5-3570K is like 1mm directly below my power supply. It is almost resting on it. I have also noticed that the CPU runs at about 45-50C, which I feel is hot. I was wondering if something can recommend a good low-profile CPU fan heat sink so I can give my fan some breathing room from the power supply.

You can put a bumper on top and avert the touching and vibration problem. You don't want the PSU fan to fight HSF for air. If it is a Lian Li case, the PSU adapter plate allows mounting PSU backwards. I use a FSP microATX PSU with a full size adapter plate for more room in my case. If you cannot avert have the two fans facing each other, place an air separator between the two fans.

Most HSF that can take care of K series CPU will be taller. Dynatron has side blowing HSF for 1U/2U boxes but they may be loud.
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post #4 of 61
11/13/12 at 9:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by stepmback View Post

I noticed that the stock CPU fan/heat sink that came witht Intel Core i5-3570K is like 1mm directly below my power supply. It is almost resting on it. I have also noticed that the CPU runs at about 45-50C, which I feel is hot. I was wondering if something can recommend a good low-profile CPU fan heat sink so I can give my fan some breathing room from the power supply.

Simply the stock cooler can't handle 3570K properly, even inside a well-ventilated case. Look at the "Core" temperatures, they must be > 70°C. The height of the stock cooler is ~46mm and there is only a 1mm clearance ... it looks like you chose a wrong combination of CPU and case (which case BTW?).

Scythe Kozuti SCKZT-1000 is 40mm tall, fits most mini-ITX mb and may be slightly better than the stock cooler.
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post #5 of 61
11/13/12 at 10:25am
Thread Starter 
Here is the case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154091

Here is the board: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131840

If the heat sink and fan are 46mm... something in the 40-45mm variety could work then.

How about one of these? http://www.frozencpu.com/products/13080/cpu-scy-34/Scythe_Kozuti_Low_Profile_40mm_Height_Universal_CPU_Cooler_w_SFMS_SCKZT-1000_-_Sockets_775_1155_1156_1366_AM2_AM2_AM3.html?gclid=CKPowc7IzLMCFa5QOgod5D4AMw

My only fear is it will not fit on my board.
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post #6 of 61
11/13/12 at 10:29am
Kozuti would work or Silverstone NT07-1156: http://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-Profile-Cooler-Platforms-NT07-1156/dp/B003U6XZNU/ for $24.50 @ Amazon.com. The Silverstone uses the same mount as the stock heatsink. I've found it to work very well for mini-ITX builds. I use it in all of mine now.
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post #7 of 61
11/13/12 at 11:14am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StardogChampion View Post

Kozuti would work or Silverstone NT07-1156: http://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-Profile-Cooler-Platforms-NT07-1156/dp/B003U6XZNU/ for $24.50 @ Amazon.com. The Silverstone uses the same mount as the stock heatsink. I've found it to work very well for mini-ITX builds. I use it in all of mine now.

I have a LGA 1155 chipset. Will that be a problem using a heatsink desigend for a 1156?
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post #8 of 61
11/13/12 at 11:20am
The LGA 1155 coolers = the LGA 1156 coolers.

Well, the performance of NT07-1156 is even worse than the stock cooler (at least in a well-ventilated system). I assume you are doing some CPU intensive tasks with Core i5-3570K (otherwise 3570K does not make a sense smile.gif). Then the only reasonable solution (except that you replace the case with a bigger one) may be replace the stock PSU with picoPSU-160-XT + a 150W AC-DC adapter and use a bigger, more powerful CPU cooler such as Cooler Master GeminII S524 (that should fit your mb).
Edited by renethx - 11/13/12 at 11:51am
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post #9 of 61
11/13/12 at 11:31am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

The LGA 1155 coolers = the LGA 1156 coolers.
Well, the performance of NT07-1156 is even worse than the stock cooler (at least in a well-ventilated system). I assume you are doing some CPU intensive tasks with Core i5-3570K (otherwise 3570K does not make a sense smile.gif). Then then only reasonable solution (except that you replace the cooler with a bigger one) may be replace the stock PSU with picoPSU-160-XT + a 150W AC-DC adapter and use a bigger, more powerful CPU cooler such as Cooler Master GeminII S524 (that should fit your mb).

What about something like this? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181010

I might be able to fit the fan on the side of the case just inside the cover. I will have to measure but there is a little space there.
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post #10 of 61
11/13/12 at 11:35am
Yup, if you are able to find a way to attach the fan to the case, that's another solution.
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post #11 of 61
11/13/12 at 11:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by stepmback View Post

What about something like this? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181010
I might be able to fit the fan on the side of the case just inside the cover. I will have to measure but there is a little space there.
I've been using that exact same cooler in my primary PC for almost two years and it works great. If you've got a place for the fan that's within reach of the CPU, it's a perfect low-profile solution.
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post #12 of 61
11/13/12 at 4:03pm
I use the NT-07-775 in my server (GD04 Case) and it is pretty good.
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post #13 of 61
11/13/12 at 6:03pm
These coolers are inappropriate for 3570K.
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post #14 of 61
11/13/12 at 6:13pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

These coolers are inappropriate for 3570K.

I messured some space on the side of the box and I should have a little room to spare if I get this size. 120mm x 120mm

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118135

Too bad this is a new model with no recommendations. But I have a zalman heatsink in one of my other workstations and it has held up well. Just not a liquid cooled version.
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post #15 of 61
11/13/12 at 6:33pm
120 x 120 mm is the fan size. The radiator is larger:

- LQ315: 153 x 120 x 38 mm (plus a 120 x 120 x 25 mm fan)
- H50: 152 x 120 x 27 mm (plus a 120 x 120 x 25 mm fan)
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post #16 of 61
11/13/12 at 7:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

120 x 120 mm is the fan size. The radiator is larger:
- LQ315: 153 x 120 x 38 mm (plus a 120 x 120 x 25 mm fan)
- H50: 152 x 120 x 27 mm (plus a 120 x 120 x 25 mm fan)

Do they make a liquid cooled heat sink that fits by size for the fan/radiator?

Actual size area for the radiator/fan is 127mm long, 120mm and 31mm deep.
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post #17 of 61
11/13/12 at 7:33pm
Try a 300W FSP300-60GHS-R PSU. This is micro ATX size and should give you enough room for the standard intel HSF. The standard retail pack has a full size ATX adapter plate which also allows mounting it with fan up. This way it doesn't fight the HSF for air.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104075
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post #18 of 61
11/13/12 at 7:45pm
Haven't seen such a liquid cooler.

Perhaps you'd better look for a better case (or picoPSU route).
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post #19 of 61
11/14/12 at 3:15am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

Haven't seen such a liquid cooler.
Perhaps you'd better look for a better case (or picoPSU route).

I think you are right. Can you or anyone else recommend a fairly small case that can fit a mini itx board, ssd drive, 5.25 blu-ray and give plenty of headroom over CPU to install a nice heat sink with enough space from psu. Maybe even enough room in the case to easily install a liquid cooler heat sink?

I appreciate all your help and others in this frustrating endeavor.
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post #20 of 61
11/14/12 at 5:02am
Check out the Apex MI-008 case. It's not as small as some mini-ITX cases, but it will support a 5-1/4" optical drive and has plenty of space above the CPU for a decent heatsink. It sounds like it's exactly what you're looking for.
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post #21 of 61
11/14/12 at 5:36am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by captain_video View Post

Check out the Apex MI-008 case. It's not as small as some mini-ITX cases, but it will support a 5-1/4" optical drive and has plenty of space above the CPU for a decent heatsink. It sounds like it's exactly what you're looking for.

That is the case i currently have which is causing me the issue. Ideally the new case would be the same width, just 3-5 inches taller to give me the extra headroom over my CPU for a larger heatsink.
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post #22 of 61
11/14/12 at 5:45am
Replacing the stock PSU in the Apex MI-008 with a picoPSU is very easy. You can get one of these to cover the hole where the stock PSU was and have a place to mount the picoPSU power input jack.

wp54bc89d3_05_06.jpg
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post #23 of 61
11/14/12 at 6:13am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by StardogChampion View Post

Replacing the stock PSU in the Apex MI-008 with a picoPSU is very easy. You can get one of these to cover the hole where the stock PSU was and have a place to mount the picoPSU power input jack.
wp54bc89d3_05_06.jpg

Two things caught my eye on on the pico PSU. They only come with 1 SATA power connection (I need two 5 1/4blu-ray and SSD) and I am not sure if they have a 24+4 ATX board power connection? I need that for my board. A standard 20+4 or 24 pin ATX will not power my board/cpu.
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post #24 of 61
11/14/12 at 6:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by stepmback View Post

Two things caught my eye on on the pico PSU. They only come with 1 SATA power connection (I need two 5 1/4blu-ray and SSD) and I am not sure if they have a 24+4 ATX board power connection? I need that for my board. A standard 20+4 or 24 pin ATX will not power my board/cpu.

It depends on which picoPSU you get if it has the P4 connector. Even if it does not, there are various adapters and splitters you can buy to power whatever devices you want like a molex-to-P4 adapter, molex 4-pin splitter and SATA 15-pin power splitter (2-way, 3-way, 4-way, etc.). Monoprice, Newegg and Amazon carry the adapters and splitters.

Figuring out the minimum number of splitters and adapters you need to power your components is part of the fun smile.gif.

For 3 x SATA device and a P4 (if the picoPSU doesn't have one) I'd get a SATA-to-SATA splitter (2-way), a molex-to-molex+SATA splitter and a molex-to-p4 adapter. That gives you 3 x SATA + 1 x P4 with 2 splitters and one adapter. If the picoPSU already has a P4 connector then you just need a molex-to-2xSATA splitter. I believe the 90, 150-XT and 160-XT come with the P4 connector. The 80 and 120 do not.
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post #25 of 61
11/14/12 at 9:19am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by StardogChampion View Post

It depends on which picoPSU you get if it has the P4 connector. Even if it does not, there are various adapters and splitters you can buy to power whatever devices you want like a molex-to-P4 adapter, molex 4-pin splitter and SATA 15-pin power splitter (2-way, 3-way, 4-way, etc.). Monoprice, Newegg and Amazon carry the adapters and splitters.
Figuring out the minimum number of splitters and adapters you need to power your components is part of the fun smile.gif.
For 3 x SATA device and a P4 (if the picoPSU doesn't have one) I'd get a SATA-to-SATA splitter (2-way), a molex-to-molex+SATA splitter and a molex-to-p4 adapter. That gives you 3 x SATA + 1 x P4 with 2 splitters and one adapter. If the picoPSU already has a P4 connector then you just need a molex-to-2xSATA splitter. I believe the 90, 150-XT and 160-XT come with the P4 connector. The 80 and 120 do not.

I think 160 watt version should be more than enough to cover my pox. My CPU is 77 watts, 2400 memory, SSD drive, 5 1/4 bluray drive. That is it.

Then all I would need is a molex-to-2xSATA connector, back plate and what ever else there is go get power to pico psu. How reliable are these PSUs? Any preference on brand or where to buy?
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post #26 of 61
11/14/12 at 9:29am
You can get a "power combo" that comes with the picoPSU and an AC adapter such as:

http://www.short-circuit.com/combo/premium-picopsu160xt-192w-acdc.html
http://www.short-circuit.com/combo/premium-picopsu150xt-150w-acdc.html

The genuine picoPSU is all the same brand it's just different stores selling them. I've had great luck with getting them from Amazon, short-circuit.com and mini-box.com.

Then just get the splitter and the cover plate and you're good to go. BTW, the cover plate was designed with the Apex MI-008 and family in mind.
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post #27 of 61
11/14/12 at 9:55am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by StardogChampion View Post

You can get a "power combo" that comes with the picoPSU and an AC adapter such as:
http://www.short-circuit.com/combo/premium-picopsu160xt-192w-acdc.html
http://www.short-circuit.com/combo/premium-picopsu150xt-150w-acdc.html
The genuine picoPSU is all the same brand it's just different stores selling them. I've had great luck with getting them from Amazon, short-circuit.com and mini-box.com.
Then just get the splitter and the cover plate and you're good to go. BTW, the cover plate was designed with the Apex MI-008 and family in mind.

I saw a sight that the pico is rated for cpu's up to 65 watts. Mine is rated at 77 watts. Should that be a problem?

Also, which back plate do I get if I go with this version? http://www.short-circuit.com/combo/premium-picopsu160xt-192w-acdc.html
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post #28 of 61
11/14/12 at 9:57am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by stepmback View Post

I saw a sight that the pico is rated for cpu's up to 65 watts. Mine is rated at 77 watts. Should that be a problem?
Also, which back plate do I get if I go with this version? http://www.short-circuit.com/combo/premium-picopsu160xt-192w-acdc.html

Assuming this works, what heat sink would someone recommend given that I now have a couple more inches because no PSU. Would need to work with 1155 chipset and prefer something fairly quiet.
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post #29 of 61
11/14/12 at 10:09am
Cooler Master GeminII S524 is cheap, quiet, powerful enough for every desktop processor, and fits most mini-ITX mb (because of the asymmetric shape).
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post #30 of 61
11/14/12 at 10:11am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx View Post

Cooler Master GeminII S524 is cheap, quiet, powerful enough for every desktop processor, and fits most mini-ITX mb (because of the asymmetric shape).

Music to my ears.. thanks.
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