Source
r/buildapc•
Azazel90x

Need help with an ITX CPU cooler for 7700k.

Hello, I am in need of the best cpu cooler that can fit an Asus rog strix z270i with a 7700k processor. I just built this PC in a Silverstone case this one to be exact. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0161UXWRA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_bS65yb15W3EQ8 and I bought the Noctura NH-L91 to keep my 7700k....Not realizing that even the Noctura website warns of heating issues with the 7700k. The cpu regularly idles at 50-70c and goes to 100 degrees Celsius in load. Ive redone the thermal paste and mounting 3 times thinking it was the problem, but after an exhaustive search I've found that its just the 7700k running way too hot and the little Noctura can't keep up. Ive dialed down the ATX settings to -3 offset, and that keeps temps about 10 degrees cooler. But I definitely need another cooler. Is there one that you recommend? I can't use liquid cooling because of the case. Any help would be much appreciated :)

EDIT:

Thanks to everyone that responded, I have used the Scythe BIG Shuriken 2 Rev. B and Im getting temps of 75c at full load, with 40c idling. Thats with the 7700k at full power, no atx offset. Amazing improvement and I can keep my super tiny build :D

Posted Apr 7, 2017, 3:13 PM UTC · edited

127
dweller_12•

Maybe the Cryorig C7 will fit?

If it's too tall, there's the Noctua NH‑L9i

1
psimwork•

That's the only option I can think of. Frankly I probably wouldn't have put a K-series CPU in that case. And I certainly wouldn't overclock it (though I don't think OP is doing that). It may be a situation of just not working.

2
Azazel90xOP•

No, Im definitely not overclocking. Just wanted the most powerful components I could stuff into an Itx build. I have vertical height to work with, just not any wider or anything. The noctura barely fits as is lol.

1
whydoyouaskmethat•

I have the 7700k and I've no issues running the Cryorig H7; I idle at ~ 32 Celsius and get up to ~ 65 Celsius when running Lightroom + Photoshop with large files.

Does your case fans? I have three case fans in addition to the cooler. Are there any other constricting factors about the case/location of your tower? What case do you have?

1
dweller_12•

Did you read the post? They gave their case and the setup. The H7 will not work at all.

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

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[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
whydoyouaskmethat•

I skimmed the lines of text twice and went right over it. I see it now. That thing is tiny.

1
Azazel90xOP•

No its an SFF case, No other fans but the CPU and the one on the GPU.

1
whydoyouaskmethat•

yeah, I missed the case in your OP. I've no idea what to do about your situation in that case...

Can you return the case and get a bigger one to allow more room to help with your cooling issue?

1
Azazel90xOP•

I thought about it, But the whole reason I wanted an itx board was because of portability and a much smaller footprint. Thats why I'm hoping I can find something better

1
whydoyouaskmethat•

You may have no choice. As you know, the 7700k gets hot. That case has no room to breathe and no sufficient fan (that I'm aware) that will fit.

1
cf18•

The only other good cooler that fit are CRYORIG C7, Silverstone AR06 and Scythe BIG Shuriken 2 Rev. B.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1317-page5.html

This review show the Big Shuriken perform better than NH-L9i. It mention the PCIe slot problem with Big Shuriken but in your case the video card is out of the way.

Found a build with both, seems to fit. https://pcpartpicker.com/b/gbtgXL

1
Azazel90xOP•

That build has the exact case I have too. I'll buy the Scythe and give it a whirl, and see what the temps are. Thanks :)

1
Azazel90xOP•

I just wanted to thank you, The Scythe BIG Shuriken 2 Rev. B worked perfectly. Temps are at 75c at full load, 40c idling. :D

1
Azazel90xOP•

Before I change the case (which I love btw), Im gonna try the Cryorig C7 and the Scythe Big Shuriken and see if any of those are much better. If not, then I will have to change the case in order to fit a much bigger cooler. Damn the 7700k and its heat. Thanks to all for your help! I really appreciate it!

1
sgasperino89•

It's so funny that you posted this today. I have just been through this exact issue over the last week or so. I went with the Fractal Design Node 202, which is the same style case you have there. Same mobo, same processor. I had the Noctua NH-L9i for the case so it would sit nice and low.

I built the computer for gaming, but I didn't have any intention of overclocking it. Anyways, after an hour of gaming I was seeing the exact same temps you were. I thought it might be the thermal paste so I reapplied that, and again no dice. It going up to 100c was just too much for me.

So I popped the case open and tried it without the top on, that lowered the temps down into the mid 80s while gaming, better, but I'm not going to run with the top off the case all the time.

I came to the conclusion that this combo of hardware just isn't going to work. I picked up an H60 and threw that on there and I'm returning the case and moving to the fractal Nano S. With the top off the case and the h60 the temps dropped into the low 70s for gaming which is what I was really looking for. What this also taught me was that the fan itself was only part of the problem. The confines of the case and the lack of airflow through it I think just make it not feasible.

Moral of the story, that cooler and that combo of case and cooling, it just isn't going to work I think. I chose to jump ship while I could still return the parts that I bought for the smaller build. I wish you well for trying to find a different cooler, but I think the confines of the case are a large part of the problem.

1
Azazel90xOP•

Yeah, I mean I really wanted a super nice, small and powerful build. And I REALLY wanted the Sentry PC case, but that's even tinier and currently not available. I don't think that will be a possibility if i'm having issues, and I say issues loosely because according to Intel, and a bunch of people on Forums, Its perfectly fine at those high temps. Nor have I had it thermal throttle itself either. I would just prefer a much cooler temp, but If it isn't damaging the CPU at all should I be overly worried?

1
sgasperino89•

So from a temperature point of view, I think 105 is somewhere in the range where it is going to start throttling itself or doing damage. I think the auto shutdown is somewhere in that range as well. What that meant to me was that if the temperature in my room went up at all, I was in risk of my PC hurting itself. "perfectly fine" at 100c doesn't seem right to me, maybe someone else here can come up with some more detailed info but for me, 100c was way too high for me to relax at all.

I really wanted the super small build too, but I don't think with that processor it is going to work.

1
Azazel90xOP•

I just thought you'd like to know, the Scythe BIG Shuriken 2 Rev. B works amazingly, and keeps the cpu at 75c full load while gaming, and about 40c idling. Same tiny case, 7700k at full power, took off the ATX offset too.

1
sgasperino89•

Interesting. I wonder why the Noctua is just so underwhelming when it comes to cooling the i7 then. That's really strange.

1